OF HORSEMANSHIP. 211 



LeicefterjQiire, Northamptonfhire, and fome other coun- 

 ties are the Giants of their kind. The duke of New- 

 caflle complains that our horfes are often tco big, by 

 reafan of the moifture of the air, and wetnefs of 

 the ground : fo that when the contrary effeds ap- 

 peared, they muft have proceeded either from want of 

 judgment in the choice of the mare or ftallion, or both, 

 or from negledt of the foals, in not fupplying them 

 with good and fufficient nourifliment in winter, and 

 expofmg them in a weak and tender ftate to the va- 

 rious cruelties of that feafon. 



About the reign of James, armour, being rendered 

 ufelefs by the invention of fire-arms, was laid afide, 

 and the Great horfc not only ceafed to be neceffary, 

 but, upon many occafions, became even improper. 

 Lighter and more nimble horfes were therefore brought 

 into ufe ; and here begins the ara, which comprehends 

 the fecond clafs of horfes, called the light or fwift 

 breed. 



To encourage and promote a race of thefe horfes, 

 proclamations indeed were not iffued, nor flatutes en- 

 abled, but more powerful methods were adopted, and 

 employed perhaps with too much fuccefs. Public re- 

 wards were given, wagers allowed to be rifked, and 

 races inftituted ; which, from the curiolity they excite, 

 and the plcafure they afford, always draw an in- 

 credible number of fpedators, fo as almoft to fupply 

 the place of an Olympic triumph to the owner of the 

 victorious fteed ; and from thefe concurrent caufes, 



E e 2 prove 



