18 .THE RACE-HORSEHUNTER. 



size. From the last mentioned countries they have probably 

 made their way into every part of the old continent. 



The Spanish horses are also held in high estimation ; they are 

 small but beautiful, extremely swift, and full of spirit. Those 

 of India and China are extremely small and vicious. One of 

 these, brought into this country as a present to her majesty, was 

 little larger than a large mastiff, measuring only nine hands. 



Of all the nations of Europe, the English have, during a long 

 time, paid the greatest attention to the improvement of their 

 horses, by the introduction of the most valuable mares and 

 stallions of different kinds, and by a judicious mixture of differ- 

 ent breeds. That which is held in the highest estimation, is 



THE RACE HORSE. 



The breed of English race horses is superior to that of any 

 other country in Europe, or, perhaps, in the world. For a long 

 course they excel those of every other part of the globe, and 

 none can surpass them in swiftness. The celebrated Childers, 

 the property of his grace the Duke of Devonshire, was univer- 

 sally allowed to be the fleetest horse ever bred in the world. He 

 ran repeatedly at Newmarket against the best racers of his time, 

 and was never beaten. He passed over eighty-two feet and a 

 half in a second of time, and has run round the course at New- 

 market, which is very nearly four miles, in six minutes and forty 

 seconds an instance of speed never exhibited by any other 

 quadruped of any species whatever. 



THE HUNTER 



Is that which particularly shows the successful attention of the 

 English, in the judicious management of their horses, by which 

 they have skilfully combined the swiftness of one race with the 

 strength of others. By this judicious method, they have pro- 

 duced the English hunter; and this breed is indisputably the 

 most useful of any in the world. Their spirit, agility, and perse- 

 verance, are qualities which render them extremely valuable, 

 whether for the chase or for travelling ; and most of the posting 

 on the great roads, is now carried on by this active and useful 

 race. 



Though nature appears to have implanted a benevolent dis- 

 position in the horse towards man, yet, that he is not unconscious 

 of injuries, nor devoid of resolution to revenge them, is exem- 

 plified in the following incident : A baronet, one of whose hunters 

 had never tired in tke longest chase, once encouraged the cruel 

 thought of attempting, completely, to fatigue him. Aftei a long 

 chace, therefore, he dined, and again mounting, rode him furi- 



