FOR PEACE AND WAR. 63 



mere offscourings of the racing stables — animals too in- 

 ferior to be entrusted with the propagation of youngsters 

 upon which large private interests would be staked ; but, 

 alas ! deemed eligible for the production of stock, on the 

 supply of which, in purity and excellence, the strength of 

 our country may at an unknown, but possible period, 

 depend largely. 



So long as the choice of stallions remains free to caprice, 

 parsimony, or want in judgment in private individuals, there 

 can be no such guarantee of a derivative benefit as that which 

 would be insured by the laws of nature, if, by a wise legisla- 

 tive enactment, the duty of providing in high excellence the 

 sires of the country either devolved upon the Government, 

 or, as a modification of interference, that it was enacted 

 that no stallion should be maintained for re-productive pur- 

 poses unlicensed by Government. We may assume that 

 men fully competent would be appointed to the arduous 

 posts of inspection of districts, and that no local feeling or 

 influence, or mere mercenary motives would be allowed to 

 govern their judgment. Until some such wise economy is 

 indulged, we never can be assured that the defective stal- 

 lions expelled from the turf from being unsound will not, 

 in accordance with the inexorable laAV of " like begets like," 

 go on, year by year, sowing deeper and wider the most 

 potent means of degeneracy in form, action, constitutional 

 and physical power throughout our general horses. 



Blood is desirable and necessary in our stallions; but 

 shapes and action are two great essentials; choose these 

 with good bone, and special attention to wind, eyes, and 

 feet ; and having regard to the natural laws that regulate 

 such matters, we shall as undoubtedly derive the happy 

 results of our forethought and reasonable action, as that 

 from a pure source will flow a clear and wholesome stream ; 

 and, vice versa. 



