OUR SADDLE-HORSES. 59 



smell. The standard by which these qualities 

 are measured, being a fixed one, our fox- 

 hounds are not allowed to deteriorate. 



How different is the situation of those 

 who breed our race-horses. Having no fixed 

 standard by which to test the physical powers 

 of their horses, they have gradually lowered 

 that they so long maintained, as the power of 

 their horses diminished. 



If speed alone had been the object of those 

 who breed our fox-hounds, it would have led 

 to breeding in and in, as on our turf, and thus 

 endurance, constitutional vigour, and that form 

 which is the result of vigour, would have been 

 lost. 



The history of our pointers is also signifi- 

 cant. We have succeeded in giving them the 

 factitious quality of pointing game, instead of 

 rushing on it, under their natural instinct; 

 but these dogs after a time deteriorate ; point- 

 ing all sorts of animals, losing their speed and 

 their spirit. It becomes then necessary to cross 

 them either with other pointers not yet de- 

 teriorated, or with fox-hounds whose integrity 

 of character has been better maintained. 



The history of the deer-hound is equally 



