hat Peregrine
gradually imbibed some knowledge in horse-flesh, and the diversions of
the course; for the whole occupation of the day, exclusive of eating and
drinking, consisted in viewing, managing, and exercising his lordship's
stud.

Our hero looked upon these amusements with an eye of taste as well as
curiosity; he contemplated the animal as a beautiful and elegant part of
the creation, and relished the surprising exertion of its speed with
a refined and classical delight. In a little time he became personally
acquainted with every horse in the stable, and interested himself in the
reputation of each; while he also gratified his appetite for knowledge,
in observing the methods of preparing their bodies, and training them to
the race. His lordship saw and encouraged his eagerness, from which he
promised himself some advantage; he formed several private matches for
his entertainment, and flattered his discernment, by permitting him to
be successful in the first bets he made. Thus was he artfully decoyed
into a spirit of keenness and adventure, and disposed to depend upon his
own judgment, in opposition to that of people who had made horse-racing
the sole study of their lives. He accompanied my lord to Newmarket, and,
entering at once into the genius of the place, was marked as fair game,
by all the knowing ones there assembled, many of whom found means
to take him in, in spite of all the cautions and admonitions of his
lordship, who wanted to reserve him for his own use.

It is almost impossible for any man, let him be never so fearful or
phlegmatic, to be an unconcerned spectator in this busy scene. The demon
of play hovers in the air, like a pestilential vapour, tainting the
minds of all present with infallible infection, which communicates
from one person to another, like the circulation of a general panic.
Peregrine was seized with this epidemic distemper to a violent degree;
and, after having lost a few loose hundreds, in his progress through the
various rookeries of the place, entered into partnership with his noble
friend in a grand match, upon the issue of which he ventured no less
than three thousand pounds. Indeed he would not have risked such a
considerable sum, had not his own confidence been reinforced by the
opinion and concurrence of his lordship, who hazarded an equal bet upon
the same event. These two associates engaged themselves in the penalty
of six thousand pounds, to run one chaise and four agai