6 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



turn of shape, is the most noble in his indinations, 

 the most Hberal of his services, and the most frugal 

 of his food. He would sooner die under the weight 

 of his labours than decline them. Is he to bear his 

 master himself, he seems sensible of the honour. He 

 studies how to please him ; and, at the least signal, 

 varies his pace : is always ready to slacken or re- 

 double, or precipitate it, when he is acquainted with 

 his master's wiU. Neither the length of the journey, 

 nor the uneasiness of the way, nor ditches, nor rivers 

 the most rapid, can discourage him. He springs 

 through every obstacle, and is a bird whose career 

 no impediment can check." Thus far the Frenchman 

 goes on very well, and has described the sort of horse 

 for which a Melton man would have no hesitation in 

 giving five hundred guineas ; but when he comes 

 to a more minute description of his form, he produces 

 one which is only fit to carry a Frenchman. He says, 

 " he should have a small head, be high and thin 

 chested, of a well-turned shape, with a belly somewhat 

 round and tight, and thin legged. This," he adds, 

 " is the most proper for services of a genteel nature, will 

 do honour to his rider in performing feats of chivalry, 

 will excel in the chase or course, and will be service- 

 able in travelling, or in pursuit of the enemy." He 

 finishes by saying that the most valuable saddle horse 

 is the EngUsh gelding, the Spanish genet, or the Arab. 

 That able zoologist, the late Mr Pennant, very 

 justly observes, that the horse is found in England 

 of many mingled breeds, whilst most other countries 

 produce only one. Our race-horses, he adds, descend 



