224 



It is a prevalent idea at present, upon the turf, that the disadvantas^e 

 inbreedino; from the Arabians imported, is, that their running does not 

 appear xmtil after a groat lengih of time, and in their remote descend- 

 ants. But that is scarcely correct ; at least, it is not the whole truth. It 

 is equally true, that mo.st of these Arabians, as they are called, are of 

 a mixed breed, whence it requires many dips in our thorough blood, 

 before their bastard blood can be absorbed and lost. We should pro- 

 bably have a better chance in breeding from our own three-part and 

 seven-eiglith bred stock, as it is possible that a racer might be produced 

 from the remote descendants of a Cart-horse or mare. On the subject 

 of there being an inferior breed of Horses in Arabia, as well as the true 

 breed, I was lately favoured by Sir Charles Bunbury, with the following 

 shrewd remark of an old groom of the Duke of Cumberland, uncle to 

 his [)resent Majesty. 



The Duke, who was warmly attached to the turf, had a favourite 

 colt, which was got by an Arabian. Being solicitous about this colt, 

 whilst in training. His Royal Highness oftea asked the groom concern- 

 ing his improvement, but this honest servant could never be tempted by 

 the desire of pleasing his master, to give a favourable account. 'And 



* please your Royal Highness, (said the old man) I don't like this colt's 



* form of going, and 1 have no opinion of him ;' ' Poh ! Poh ! (said the 

 ' Duke) what signifies talking at that rate, he must be thorough bred, 



* you know, as he was got by an Arabian.' To this the old man replied, 

 with a half smile, ' What, then, and please your Royal Highness, they 



* have no Cart-horses in Arabia.' 



In my former work, I proposed the expedient of sending an agent, 

 practically qualified, into Arabia or Barbagy, as the most probable to 

 obtain really valuable breeding stock for the turf I was not then 

 aware, that such plan had been already adopted, and put in execution, 

 by the late Earl of Northumberland, and that Mr. Bell, also, had 

 taken the pains to send into the country, expressly on purpose for the 

 selection and purchase of his Arabian. These Arabians were purchased, 

 as was that of Mr. Darley, in the deserts bordering on Egypt. The 

 Northumberland brown, or Leeds Arabian was bred in the Southern, or 

 Arabia Felix. This is, doubtless, the best mode to ascertain the true 



breed. 



