28 MY HORSE ; MY LOVE 



It is said that Arabian horses have deteriorated, Count. 

 Can it be true ? 



' Indeed, no. It is impossible for the true Arab horse 

 to deteriorate so long as the Arab tribes follow the same 

 laws, and so jealously guard their rare breeds from loss by 

 sale or theft.' 



But we are said to have many Arabian horses here, as 

 well as in Europe and South America? 



' They have a race of horses called the Levantine, which 

 they offer in exchange for money and merchandise. These 

 horses have excellent points, are showy, handsome, well- 

 trained, and in every way desirable, but they no more 

 compare with the true Arab breeds, than a clumsy cart- 

 horse to the swift runner.' 



Are there many distinct breeds ? 



'There are but five, and every one entirely different and 

 with distinctive marks. Those most highly prized, most 

 rare and valuable are the Nedj and Osman. The other 

 three, the Abdalla, Mohammed and Dakir, although of 

 blood as pure and as impossible to obtain by purchase, 

 have not the same matchless beauty.' 



But were not the horses presented to General Grant 

 thoroughbred Arabs ? 



' There are many conflicting opinions regarding these 

 horses, and their claim to being thoroughbred Arabs of 

 the desert. It was thought they must be so because they 

 were presented by the Sultan, but if you asked an Arab, he 

 would tell you the Sultan never owned one of these rare 

 breeds, and never had one in his stables.' 



Have you ever seen Leopard, or Linden Tree, whose 

 arrival in this country made such a sensation ? 



' No, madam, and never having seen them I cannot ex- 



