become thoroughly informed. One of the most striking examples of rational 

 soundness is that matchless old volume, "The History and Delineation of the 

 Horse in all His Varieties," by that eminent English scholar and horseman, John 

 Lawrence, published in 1809, whose noble birth did not prevent him from mas- 

 tering a subject as humble and ordinary as pertains to the origin as well as the 

 correct breeding of horses. 



We submit the following first few pages from the first chapter of Mr. Law- 

 rence's able work above referred to, as it relates to environment, for this pro- 

 found and imperishable work stands with but few, if any, peers as a classic and 

 text-book pertaining to horses and horse breeding. Volumes without number 

 are finding sale on the book markets, on this same subject, which cannot fail to 

 add confusion to ignorance in many cases, for the reason that the average writer 

 has too often lost sight of the fundamental principles and teaches the building 

 on sand rather than rock, in blood propositions, of horse creations. The same 

 can be as truthfully said of some of the horse paper articles and writings, for 

 there is much taught to suit the hour and the purse. We hope we shall not be 

 charged with antagonism or heresy as a result of our frankness. 



As we review horse affairs of the past we are again reminded that there is 

 "nothing new under the sun," for we learn that things which are today believed 

 to be new were old a thousand years ago. We quote from Mr. Lawrence as 

 follows : 



Antiquity of the Horse— Natural History — Classification — 

 Speculations on His Origin 



"The transcendent consequence of the horse to man in every possible stage 

 of human existence has been the invariable theme of writers on the subject from 

 the earliest records of literature. Indeed it is impossible to conceive any other, 

 out of the vast variety of animals destined by nature to human use, which can with 

 the least prospect of success dispute with this favorite the palm of his master's pre- 

 dilection and attachment. Throughout all those revolving ages which the magical 

 power of letters enables us to call up in review there is not one in which that axiom 

 does not stand self-evident. It is an attachment of a truly rational nature and to 

 a most worthy object. The very idea of being supported at ease by an auxiliary 

 and borrowed animal power, and of being safely borne from place to place at will 

 with a pleasant and gentle motion or with the rapidity of lightning, must have im- 

 pressed the minds of the first discoverers of the mighty benefits with ineffable de- 

 light. Such sentiments and feelings have been incessantly echoed down to us 

 from the primitive times. 



"The general beauty, the harmony of proportions, the stateliness and delicacy 

 of the superior species of this paragon of brute animals could not fail of inspiring 

 admiration in the breasts even of savage and untutored men. Time and the im- 

 proving faculties of man gradually developed the various uses and qualifications of 

 the horse. Endowed by nature with a portion of intellect, with a generous pliability 

 of disposition and fortitude of heart, with vast and energetic bodily powers, he was 

 found capable of bearing a sort of social part in all the pleasures and labors of man. 

 He was associated with his master in the pleasures of the journey and chase; he 

 shared willingly and with ardor in the dangers of the martial field, and with a sturdy 

 prowess partook in the humble labors of cultivating the soil for mutual subsistence. 

 By the most illustrious nations of either ancient or modern times the horse has 



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