DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6095#0238
220 A TOUR THROUGH
not so splendid as those of the day before.
They began by the horse-races. There
were three races, and six horses started
each race. These were mounted by boys
of about twelve years old, without either
saddle or bridle, but only a small piece of
cord, by way of bit, in the horse's mouth,
which it seems is sufficient to stop them.
The great stxeet was the course ; and to
this end it was covered with earth to the
depth of five or six inches.—The firing of
a cannon at the Porto Felice was the signaj
for startTng: and the horses seemed to
understand this, for they all set off at once
full speed, and continued at their utmost
stretch to the Porto Nuovo, which was the
winning post. It is exactly a mile, and
they persormed it in a minute and thirty-
five seconds, which, considering the lize
of the horses, (scarce fourteen hands) we
thought was very great. These are gene-
rally Barbs, or a mixed breed betwixt the
Sicilian and Barb. The boys were gaudily
8 drcQea*
not so splendid as those of the day before.
They began by the horse-races. There
were three races, and six horses started
each race. These were mounted by boys
of about twelve years old, without either
saddle or bridle, but only a small piece of
cord, by way of bit, in the horse's mouth,
which it seems is sufficient to stop them.
The great stxeet was the course ; and to
this end it was covered with earth to the
depth of five or six inches.—The firing of
a cannon at the Porto Felice was the signaj
for startTng: and the horses seemed to
understand this, for they all set off at once
full speed, and continued at their utmost
stretch to the Porto Nuovo, which was the
winning post. It is exactly a mile, and
they persormed it in a minute and thirty-
five seconds, which, considering the lize
of the horses, (scarce fourteen hands) we
thought was very great. These are gene-
rally Barbs, or a mixed breed betwixt the
Sicilian and Barb. The boys were gaudily
8 drcQea*