212 THE ARABIAN RACE. 



and square, is admirably placed, the eyes large and 

 brilliant, the ears small and pointed, and the tail 

 well set on ; even the prominence of the blood-ves- 

 sels beneath the skin attest high breeding; and 

 although the Arab is rather small and English 

 horses are decidedly fleeter, none are more graceful, 

 more enduring, or fitter for war and privation. It 

 may be doubted whether these noble races are not 

 now in a state of gradual decline in their native 

 country, but all have been and still are subjected to 

 the same vigilant system of care and to the condi- 

 tions of life inseparable from the climate and barren 

 soil of the regions where they flourish ; they have 

 been educated in the society of man, used to artifi- 

 cial food not intended for them by nature, such as 

 camels' milk and bruised dates ; inured to sobriety, 

 even in the quantity of water ; but watched, pro- 

 tected, and caressed by a people imperatively called 

 upon to consider them as the only source of riches, 

 the chief agent of national glory, the principal com- 

 panion in daily enjoyments, and the sole instrument 

 of independence. Hence the most hardy breeds are 

 precisely those of the wandering tribes, and also the 

 most docile, because, while the mares have young 

 foals, they partake of the comforts of the tent, and 

 horses are always treated with affection ; excepting 

 when the first great trial of their capabilities is 

 made ; then, indeed, the treatment the young ani- 

 mal suffers is more severe than any horse is liable 

 to in Europe : for, being led out, as yet totally un- 

 conscious of a rider, the owner springs on its back 



