172 ON THE HACKNEY AND HUNTER. 



has been equal, or fuperior in goodnefs, to that 

 of the native foil of thefe famous cattle. On 

 enquiry, I always found, that they indeed fent 

 their mare to a thorough-bred Horfe of the 

 fpecies in requeft, but that (he herfelf was fure 

 to be one of the common ftock of their own 

 county. I have known more than one perfon 

 attempt to breed racers upon the fame plan, 

 and with equal fuccefs. 



Major Jardine, in his entertaining and in- 

 ftruclive letters from Barbary, Spain, &c. ob- 

 ferves, very juflly, that the world feems to be 

 divided, for men, as well as cattle, into breed- 

 ing and feeding countries ; the determinations 

 however, to either, I think ufually depend 

 upon accidental circurnftances. 



The natural fuperiority of one Englifh coun- 

 ty over another, as to the point in queftion, has 

 always been over- rated. Some local diflinc- 

 tions, no doubt, mult exift; for inftance, the 

 hardy mountaineers of Wales and Scotland, 

 excel in ftrength of conftitution, ability to 

 carry weight, and toughnefs of feet; but are 

 deficient in fize, figure, and fpeed. 



I have obierved, upon the little attention, 

 merited by the colour of Horfes, with reference 

 to their good or bad qualities. In fome re- 

 fpecls, it may intereft nice and curious people, 

 who are more folicitous about external appear- 

 ance, than great and ufeful qualifications. 



Thus, 



