174 THE HISTORY AND ART 



which availed itfelf confiderably at this time of the 

 fuperior Englifli breed *. 



Thus it appears from the meafures taken to keep 

 the Englifh horfes in their own country, that they 

 were always fo valued and admired by other nations, 

 that England had not a number fufficient for her own 

 demands. Two things were neceflary to preferve to 

 this kingdom exclujively^ the benefit of its own horfes. 



The prudence of feveral fucceeding kings, attended 

 ferioufly to this work, and by prohibiting exportation 

 on one hand, and encouraging a numerous breed on 

 the other, applied a twofold remedy, and did almoft 

 all that the cafe could require. Nor would any thing 

 have been wanting to the completion of their wifhes, 

 but (which was done in after times) the appointment 

 of public rewards and gratifications, as an incitement 

 and recom pence to thofe who fliould moft effedlually 

 advance the breed. Chambers, in his Di»5lionary, under 

 the article Saddle, fays the Englifli did not ufe them till 

 the reign of this king, who iflued an order enjoining 

 their ufe. This alfertion, however, is not counte- 

 nanced by any adt of parliament, or proclamation. 



In the reign of the fucceeding prince, a particular 

 regard was paid to the raifing a breed of good and 

 flrong horfes, and laws were made for the more cer- 

 tain attainment of that defign. The only method of 

 fecuring ftrength and fize in the progeny, is to feledl 

 the fires and dams, of a certain proportion, fize, and 



* Thefe ads were repealed by Charles II. 



mould, 



