THE BARB 



The Godolphin Jlrahian. 



It has already been stated, that the earliest records we have of the 

 horse trace him to Egypt, whence he gradually found his way to Ara- 

 bia and Persia, and the provinces which were colonized from Egypt ; 

 and thence to the other parts of the Old World. But Egypt is not 

 now a breeding country, and it does not appear to possess those requi- 

 sites which could ever have constituted it one. Without, however, enter- 

 mg into the question whether the horse was primarily the inhabitant of 

 some particular region, wnenco other parts were gradually supplied, or 

 whether it was common to many countries, but differing in each ; we 

 have stated it to be probable that the horses of Egypt, the earliest 

 on record, were derived from the neighbouring and interior districts of 

 Africa. Therefore, in giving a very summary account of the most 

 celebrated and useful breeds of different countries, it is natural to begin 

 with those of Africa. 



At the head of these is the Barb, from Barbary, and particularly from 

 Morocco and Fez, and the interior of Tripoli ; and remarkable for his fine 

 and graceful action. It is rather lower than the Arabian, seldom exceed- 

 ing fourteen hands and an inch. The shoulders are flat, the chest round, 

 the joints inclined to be long, and the head particularly beautiful. The 

 Barb is decidedly superior to the Arab in form, but has not his spirit, or 

 speed, or countenance. 



The Barb has chiefly contributed to the excellence of the Spanish horse ; 

 and; when the improvement of the breed of horses began to be systemati- 

 cally pursued in Great Britain, the Barb was very early introduced. The 

 Godolphin Arabian, as he is called, of whom we have presented our 

 readers with a cut, and who was the origin of some of our best racing 

 t)lood, was a Barb; and others of our most celebrated turf-horses trace 

 their descent from African mares. 



More in the centre of Africa, in the kingdom of Bournou, is a breed, 

 which Mr. Tully, in his almost romantic history of Tripoli, reckons supevio* 

 even to those of Arabia or Barbary ; it possesses the best qualities of both 

 B 



