OF HORSEMANSHIP. 203 



by which each horfe entered to run, if five years old, 

 is obliged to carry ten ftone j if fix, eleven ; and if feven, 



twelve This fl;atute had a two-fold intention, and was 



framed not only to prevent the encouragement of a 

 vile and paltry breed of horfes, but likewife to re- 

 move all temptation from the lower clafs of people? 

 who conftantly attend thefe races, to the great lofs of 

 time, and hindrance of labour j and v/hofe behaviour 

 Hill calls for fl;ri^5ler regulations, to curb their licenti- 

 oufnefs, and correct their manners. 



The Scotch nation, from early times, pofTefi^ed a 

 breed of horfes which they much efteemed, and which 

 were held fo much in repute by other countries, 

 that it became necefTary to hinder their exportation, 

 by laws and reftri^tions. By an a6l of parliament of 

 James the firft, 2d. parliament, chap. 31. no horfe that 

 was not paft three years old could be fold out of the 

 kingdom, under pain of forfeiture to the king. By 

 another a(ft of the firft parliament of James the Sixth, 

 chap. 22, it was forbid to tranfport any horfe out of 

 the realm, upon pain of forfeiture to the king of fuch 

 horfe, and the lliip and goods of the tranfporter. The 

 preface of this act particularly mentions tranfporting 

 of horfes to Bourdeaux, from which place there was a 

 great demand, as well as from other parts, fo as to 

 make a fcarcity and dearth. 



hi the tenth parliament of James the Third, a juft 

 and wife act was pafiTed, whereby every Fairier who fliod 

 an horfe, and pricked his foor, through ignorance or 



D d 2 drunk- 



