THE RACER. 39

almost a mile.in a minute! On one occasion he
ran over the round course at Newmarket, which
is very little less than four miles, in six minutes
and forty seconds. He also ran over the Beacon
course at the same place, which measures four
miles, one furlong, and one hundred and thirty-
eight yards, in seven minutes and thirty seconds,
covering at every bound a space of about twenty-
five feet !””

“ T have often heard a horse named Eclipse
spoken of as very fleet, Uncle Thomas. Did
you ever hear of him?”

“ Oh yes, Frank !’’ I know all about Eclipse,
which was one of the most celebrated horses of
his day; and as his history is rather a singular
one, I will tell it to you.

‘‘ Hclipse was bred by the famous George,
Duke of Cumberland, and as he happened to be
foaled during the great eclipse of 1764, the
duke gave him that name. When the duke’s
stud was sold off, Eclipse was bought by a Mr.
Wildman. This person had a friend in the