48 THE HORSE. 



Having now with some care and, as we trust, with accuracy noted how the stock 

 of English horses has been modified from time to time, being made heavier or lighter, 

 \'hh. more or less of bone and muscle ; according to the nature of their vehicles and 

 ro-&drf, the implements and modes of warfare in use, their national amusements and 

 other uses to which the horse was applied ; we come now to speak of him very briefly 

 m one of his finest and most finished forms, and one in which, from influences to 

 which we have before referred, England certainly does and must ever excel all rivals 

 — we allude to 



THE HUNTER, 



which is but a combination of the race-horse thorough-bred, with one of less blood, 

 possessing however more strength and substance with less length of body. His jaws 

 should be clear and wide, nostrils large, broad thin shoulders, thighs long, strong and 

 muscular, deep chest, aflfording free play for the lungs ; back short, ribs large and wide, 

 large and strong, but hard and clean bone and sinew, tail coming out high and stiff, 

 gaskins well spread, and hind-quarters lean and hard. The right sort of hunter, it 

 has been further and more sententiously observed, should have as far as possible 

 strength without weight, courage without fire or flashiness, speed without labour, a 

 free breath, a strong walk, a nimble, light but large gallop, and a swift trot, to give 

 change and ease to the speedy muscles. 



" Firm let him tread, and just, and move along 

 Upon a well-grown hoof, compact and strong; 

 Proud of the sport, with too nmch fire to yierd, — 

 Such be the horse to bear me to tlie field." 



And such an one the writer of this had once the pleasure to own — bred in Prince 

 George's County, Maryland ; a noble son of Ogle's Oscar, and the best saddle-horse 

 we ever backed. Alas, old Rasper, we ne'er shall look upon your like again. 



" Pride of thy race ! with worth far less than tiiine, 

 P'uU many human leaders daily shine !" 



As in all things supply follows demand, it may here be noted that the high perfec- 

 tion of the English Hunter, his great speed, stoutness and power of leaping, has been 

 brought about in a great degree, by a change in the character of the English fox-hound. 

 The old-fashioned, slow, big-headed, southern or Talbot hound, as described by 

 Shakspeare, 



" Whh ears that sweep away the morning dew," 



has given way to a dog so fleet, that he who is not mounted on one among the fleetest 

 and the strongest, dare not hope for the honour and delight of being " in at the death !" 

 ITie chase in modern style is in fact but a burst, sometimes running with the game in 

 view to the death, and fur which they have bred a hound with a light ear, a squealing 

 note and a power of speed, to which the ancient hound bears no more resemblance 

 than a cow to a courser. The reader may judge what sort of a nag is necessarj'^ to 

 keep way with the fine-spun descendants of such a bitch as il/erA-//i,property of the cele- 

 brated Col. Thornton, who challenged to run her against any hound of her year, five 

 miles over New Market, giving 220 yards, for $50,000 ! This famous bitch is said 

 to have run a trial of four miles in seven minutes and a half second ! Under the 

 influence of this change in the face of the country, and in the qualities of the ancient 

 fox-hound, and in the character of this most noble and splendid diversion, a corres- 

 ponding modification has ensued in the hunter, and so the price for the best has 

 advanced from forty, to three hundred guineas ! nor is it easy to imagine any show of 

 animals like that of a stable of English hunters led out for " the mount," either for 

 the fox or the St. Albans Steeple-chase ; every nag perfectly well conditioned and 

 dressed off as nicely as a wedding party coming up to the altar. 



