8 THE PEKCHEROtf HOESE. 



astonishing precocity, and produces by its work, as a two- 

 year-old, more than the cost of its feed and keep. Indeed, it 

 loves, and shows a real aptness for labor, which is the lot of 

 alL It knows neither the whims of bad humor, nor nervous 

 excitement. It bears for man, the companion of its labors, 

 an innate confidence, and expresses to him a gentle famili- 

 arity, the fruit of an education for many generations in the 

 midst of his family. Women and children from whose 

 hands it is fed, can approach it without fear. In a word, 

 if I may dare speak thus, it is an honorable race. It has 

 that fine oriental gray coat, the best adapted of all to 

 withstand the burning rays of the sun in the midst of the 

 fields a coat which pleases the eye, and which in the 

 darkness of the night allowed the postilion of former times 

 to see that he was not alone that his friend was making 

 his way loyally before him. It is exempt, (a cause of 

 everlasting jealousy among the breeders of other races,) 

 always exempt from the hereditary bony defects of the 

 hock, and where it is raised, spavin, jardon, bone spavin, 

 periodical inflammation, and other dreaded infirmities, are 

 not known even by name. 



This truly typical race would seem a myth did it not exist 

 in our midst. But every day we see, every day we handle 

 this treasure, the munificent gift of Providence to this 

 favored region, to cause agriculture, that "nursing mother," 

 to flourish, and with agriculture, peace and abundance. 



I need not name this breed; every one from this in- 

 complete sketch has recognized the fine race of steady and 

 laborious horses, bred in the ancient province of Perche, 

 (so justly entitled Perche of good horses,) plowing in 

 long furrows the soil of Beauce, and thence spreading itself 

 over all France, where its qualities render it without a 

 rival for all the specialties of rapid draft. 



Hence it is that all our provinces envy us the possession 

 of the race, and even foreign countries seek after it with 

 an eagerness amounting to a passion. 



