75 



ornamented, but the workmanship is clumsy ; the saddles are heavy 

 and unwieldy, and made fast by a circingle. They seldom ride with 

 whip, spur or switch, but guide their. Horses with a rod about a yard 

 lon<T and of the size of a large cane; this is held by the middle, and 

 with it the rider strikes either side of the neck, to direct the Horse right 

 or left. IVallachia, is said to furnish the Turks with some of their most 

 useful Horses, 



According to an old Dutch writer, fuerunt out em in Egypt o semper 

 prcEstcmthsimi equi — Egypt has always produced the most excellent 

 Horses. The native Egyptian Horse is larger than the Arabian, but 

 whether merely in consequence of the more nutritious keep of Egypt, 

 or of specific variety, I am unable to give an opinion, nor do I know, 

 that they are distinguished here, from the other Horses which we im 

 port from the Levant. We have yet occasionally had Egyptian stallions 

 so called. Arabians, in course, from the proximity of the countries, 

 have always been introduced and bred in Egypt, the best of Avhich are 

 said to go to the Turkish market. Between Egypt and Abyssinia, 

 there is a large breed of Horses, which was seen by the late Mr. Bruce ; 

 the Abyssinian breed is said to be generally black in colour, and in 

 quality. Coursers; it having been formerly a dispute, whether the 

 J^onoiu" of originating the breed, belonged to that country or to 

 Arabia. 



The Syrian Horses are much commended by Dr. Russell, for beauty, 

 docility, and goodness; like the Egyptians, they are larger than the 

 Arab, and many of them have been imported into this country. 



The modern Persians have not perhaps, maintained their ancient 

 superiority; that of the x\rabians has been long generally allowed, 

 and even in Persia : however, on proof, this superiority may not con- 

 sist in the services of war, hunting or journeying, but merely in that 

 of the stud; with respect to the former, the Persian Horses maybe 

 better adapted, as of greater size, somewhat less delicacy, and having 

 stronger feet. We find in the old accounts, the Persians thus describ- 

 ed: two varieties, the one of the common size of the Arabs, and most 

 ])robably of that race ; the others of the size of English saddle-horses. 

 Small-headed, fine and long forehands, narrow-chested, ears well turned 



L 2 and 



