2o6 THE HISTORY AND ART 



tined to a variety of purpofcs, and equal to all : the 

 country being very capable of anfwering the wifhes 

 of the judicious breeder, who need only remember 

 that colts require to be well nouriflied in winter, and 

 fheltered from the feverity of a rigorous and change- 

 able fky. 



The kingdom of Ireland has, for many centuries, 

 boafted a race of horfes called Hobbles, much admir- 

 ed and valued for their eafy paces, and other pleafmg, 

 ufeful, and agreeable qualities *j of a middling fize, 

 flrong, nimble, well-moulded and hardy: — many forts 

 of good and ferviceable horfes are bred in this king- 

 dom, which anfwer the pleafurable and neceflary pur- 

 pofes of life perfectly well, and are capable of mount- 

 ing the Light troops very properly. The nobility and 

 perfons of fortune have flallions of great reputation 

 belonging to them ; but chufe to breed for the 'Turf, in 

 preference to other purpofes ; for which, perhaps, their 

 country is not fo well qualified, from the moiflure of 

 the atmofphere, occafioned by excefs of rain, and other 

 caufes, which hinder it from imparting that elaftic 

 force, and clearnefs of wind, fo necelTary for the exer- 

 tion and continuation of extraordinary fpeed ; and 

 which are folely the gifts of 2idry foil, and an air more 

 pure and refined. This country, neverthelefs, is cap- 



* Cafnden fays they are very excellent, and go not as other horfes 

 do, but pace very foftly and eafily. 



Camden's Tranfl. by Gibfon, Vol. II. p. 1312. 



able 



