60 



ness and misery. Good bideta, or ponies, are bred in Auvergne, Poiclou 

 and BurgtmclT/. 



Some years previous to the revolution, the French were in a fair 

 way to improve in the noble science of jockeyship. Their princes' 

 and nobles became strongly impressed Avith the anglomania, in every 

 thing relative to the stable and the course. English stallions were 

 imported, racing studs established, and a Gallic Newmarket soon 

 sprungup on the Plaines de Sablons. Had not these auspicious begin- 

 nings been stopped by the public troubles, there is no doubt but a 

 general and lasting improvement would have been effected in the 

 Horses of France ; and indeed in the management of them, which, 

 maugre all the science of their veterinary and their riding schools, was 

 truly execrable, and by which, vast numbers of the finest imported 

 English Horses were annually murdered. 



The French Government has, of late years, attempted the improve- 

 ment of their breed of Horses, by the establishment of studs, and by 

 the institution of shows with premiums ; hitherto, it is said, without 

 much apparent success. None of their cavalry Horses approach ou_r& 

 in size, activity and goodness, those of Normandy excepted. 



SEC« 



