FOR PEACE AND WAR. Gl 



particular branch of our subject will liave the weight and 

 respect they merit from all students of our present diffi- 

 culty in equine affairs, but must be taken cumgrano sails in 

 certain particulars where the gallant gentleman allows 

 enthusiasm for a sport and system, of which he is the puta- 

 tive parent, to run away with common sense. He writes : — 



" My belief is that the present English Racehorse is as 

 much superior to the racehorse of 1750 as he was to the 

 first cross from Arabs and Barbs with English mares ; and, 

 again, as they were to the old English racing hack of 1650, 

 The 'form' of Flying Childers might now win a £30 

 plate, ' winner to be sold for £40.' Highflyer and Eclipse 

 might pull through in a £50 plate, ' winner to be sold for 

 £200.' This may be a strong opinion, but it is founded on 

 the fact that whereas 150 years ago the Eastern horses and 

 their first ' cross ' were the best and fastest in England, at 

 this day a second-class racehorse can give five stone to the 

 best Arabian or Barb, and beat them from one to twenty 

 miles. I presume, therefore, that the superiority of the 

 English horse has improved in that ratio above the original 

 stock." 



Such are " the Admiral's " own words ; and as far as the 

 pace, weight-carrying ability, and staying powers of the 

 best type of the modern racer are treated in his remarks, 

 there is nothing of sophistry, and his assumed facts can 

 only, with justice, be regarded as a fair analogical deduc- 

 tion from the incontestable premises he adduces. 



Before Lord Rosebery's Committee, on the 19th of May, 

 1873, we have Admiral Rous, saying : — 



" The stature of thoroughbred stock has increased since the 

 year 1700 an inch every 25 years, and whereas the average 

 size of horses then was 13 hands 3 inches, the average is 

 now 15 hands 2 inches, and they can carry twice as much 

 weight as 100 years ago. Our Enghsh thorough-bred horses 



