118 ROAD, TRACK, AND STABLE. 



These two terms were at one time more nearly synony- 

 mous than they are now. A thoroughbred (as we have 

 seen, and as the instructed reader will scorn to be 

 told) is one whose pedigree is registered in the English 

 Stud Book, the first volume of which was published in 

 1808. A preliminary volume, called " An Introduction 

 to a General Stud Book," issued in 1791, contained 

 the names of the chief mares and stallions of racing 

 stock then living. These are the "foundation"' horses 

 from which the present thoroughbreds, English and 

 American, have sprung. They were almost entirely 

 of Oriental descent. Arabs were imported to Eng- 

 land at a very early period, but not in such numbers 

 as to effect any decided improvement in the native 

 breed until the reign of James I. This monarch es- 

 tablished a racing stable, and installed therein some 

 fine Arabian stallions. Charles T. continued the same 

 policy, and the royal stud which he left at Tutbury 

 consisted chiefly of Arab-bred horses. Soon after his 

 execution, it was seized by order of Parliament ; but, 

 happily, the change in dynasty did not interfere with 

 the conduct of the stud. Cromwell, as is well known, 

 had a sharp eye for a horse, and the best of the King's 

 lot were soon " chosen " for the Lord Protector. 



Charles II., again, had no less a passion for horses, 

 and almost the first order that he issued, after land- 

 ing in England, was one to the effect that the Tutbury 

 nags should be returned to the royal stables. This 

 monarch imported some Arabian stallions, and a col- 

 lection of mares called Royal Mares, purchased on 

 the Continent. Their breeding is not entirely known, 

 but many of them were Arabs or Barbs. The Eoyal 

 Mares figure in the first volume of the Stud Book. 



