62 LETTER XII. 



jesty, was little larger than a large mastiff, measuring, 

 only nine hands. 



Of all the nations of Europe, the English have, du- 

 ring a long time, paid the greatest attention to the im- 

 provement of their horses, by the introduction of the 

 most valuable mares and stallions of different kinds, 

 and by a judicious mixture of different breeds. That 

 which is held in the highest estimation is 



THE RACE HORSE. 



The breed of English race horses is superior to that 

 of any other country in Europe, or, perhaps, in the 

 world. , For a long course they excel those of every 

 other part of the globe, and none can surpass them in 

 swiftness. The celebrated Guilders, the property of 

 His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, was universally 

 allowed to be the fleetest horse ever bred in the 

 world. He ran repeatedly at Newmarket against the 

 best racers of his time, and was never beaten. He 

 passed over eighty-two feet and half in a second of 

 time, and has run round the course at Newmarket, 

 which is very nearly four miles, in six minutes and 

 forty seconds, an instance of speed never exhibited 

 by any other quadruped of any species whatever. 



THE HUNTER 



Is that which particularly shews the successful at- 

 tention of the English, in the judicious management 

 of their horses, by which they have skilfully combin- 

 ed the swiftness of one race with the strength of 

 others. By this judicious method they have produced 

 the English hunter ; and this breed is indisputably 

 the most useful of any in the world. Their spirit, 

 agility, and perseverance, are qualities which render 

 them extremely valuable, whether for the chace or 

 for travelling ; and most of the posting on the great 

 roads, is now carried on by this active and useful 

 race. 



Though nature appears to have implanted a bene- 

 volent disposition in the horse towards man, yet, that 

 lie is not unconscious of injuries, nor devoid of reso- 

 lution to revenge them, is exemplified in the follow- 

 ing incident ; 



