119 



Gig Horse, are of the hunting size and figure. Not only the old heavy 

 black, but the heavy bay Coach-horse has long been superseded, and 

 they are now scarcely ever to be met with. All quick draught is perform- 

 ed by light horses, Avhich do the business far quicker, and consume less 

 than the old heavy species; carriages of every description, are in course, 

 much lighter, more elegant and more convenient than formerly, and in- 

 deed far more various. In the lighter parts of quick draught, of the 

 curricle and gig, the same sized Horses are used which we ride, nor 

 does such light draught injure them for the saddle; on the contrary, in 

 the opinion of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, a sovereign 

 judge in the case. Horses are benefitted by the discipline of the curricle, 

 Avhich brings their heads up, and makes them dash on with spirit, 

 especially suiting such as are sluggish and heavy in hand. Exactness in 

 pairing and in the coloui's of Horses, excepting for state occasions, is by 

 no means so much attended to as in former days. 



The Machiner, or stage-coach horse, gelding or mare, as it may 

 happen, is of large size, generally from iifteen and a half, to sixteen 

 hands in height, with a show of blood. They are frequently cast-ofF 

 hunters, and we scarcely ever see at this time, even in the heaviest stages, 

 any of those cart-bred horses formerly in use, excepting in the black 

 work, that is, the hearse and mourning coach business. The Mail-coach, 

 and post chaise horses are, in course, of somewhat smaller size. 



The great black cart horse of the Midland counties, is bred chiefly for 

 the use of the London brewers, distillers, and some few other tradesmen, 

 who drive capital Horses in their carts. Many of them proceed to the 

 metropolis, through the hands of the Hants and Berks farmers, who 

 purchase them yearlings, at Lambourne fair, working them from two 

 or three, until live or six years old, when they are purchased by the 

 London dealers. Among these, the Flanders blood is often very appa- 

 rent, and we now and then see individual natives of that country. 



This appearance is still more obvious amongst the Horses appropriated 

 to the black work, a similar breed with the heavy dragoon Horses, and 

 1 suppose, the produce of the Midland counties. 



Speaking of the Flanders breed, brings to ray recollection an ex- 

 cellent variety of well-shaped black nags, both for quick draught and the 



saddle. 



