86 ON THE HORSE IN GENERAL. 



appear probable, either in theory, or by ana- 

 logies which might be adduced, that any 

 length of time, or change of foil, could convert 

 the delicate, filk-haired, flat-boned courfer of 

 the fouthern countries, into the coarfe, clumfy, 

 round-made cart-horfe of the north of Europe. 

 The original countries of the two oppofite 

 races (whether they were firft and exclufively 

 created there, matters not to us) are the moun- 

 tainous part of Arabia, and the low lands of 

 Belgium in Europe. Arabia is the oldefl 

 breeding country (to ufe a familiar phrafe) in 

 the world; it has been known to poffefs a pure 

 and unmixed race of Horfes, for thoufands of 

 years; and the experience, both of ancient and 

 modern times, has proved them to be of fupe- 

 rior form and qualification to all other Horfes 

 upon earth. In the very early ages, the breed 

 of Arabian Horfes was fought and difperfed 

 over almoft all Afia and Africa, and from 

 thence to the fouthern parts of Europe; in 

 more modern times, they have been introduced 

 farther north, particularly into this country; 

 and from that fource has originated our belt 

 racing blood, to which we owe thofe advan- 

 tages and improvements, and that fuperiority 

 in Horfes, we fo evidently poffefs over all other 

 nations. 



At what period of time, or by what nation, 

 or individual, the Horfe was firft reduced to 



hum a $ 



