1 6o THE HISTORY AND ART 



it being certain, that the fize of animals may be re- 

 tarded or advanced, by the quantity and quality of 



o 



the food on which they are fupported ; as it is known 

 that in lean and barren foils, cattle of all kinds, are 

 fmall *, while, on the other hand, generous land 

 abounding with herbage, will produce animals of a 

 much larger growth. Nor is it unlikely, that the 

 Englifli had in early times, as now, horfes of different 

 fizes and charaders, and perhaps as various, as the parts ' 

 of the kingdom in which they were bred. Although it 

 is more probable, as the fame curious and accurate ob- 

 fervers of nature inform us, that thofe which were 

 employed in the fervice of war, as well as for draught, 

 in latter times were the offspring of German or FkmiJIj 

 breeds, mended by our foil, and a judicious culture, 

 and that the prefent race are defcended from them. 



The venerable Bede, fays, that the Englifh began to 

 ufe faddle horfes about the year 631, when prelates 

 and others rode on horfeback, who till then were 

 wont to go on foot ; but that, if upon urgent occa- 

 fions, they were obliged to ride, they ufed mares t 

 only. 



In the reign of Atheljlan the Englifh became fo jea- 

 lous of their horfes, and entertained fo high an opi- 



* Bio Nitaus, fpeaking of the Britons in the north part of the ifland, 

 fays their horfes were fmall and very fwift. Vid. Camden Brit. 



•^ As a mark of humility, the mare not being fo full of pride and 

 fpirit as the horfe, 



nlon 



