THE HOUSE. 199 



which foreigners are so fond of; but it would 

 certainly take from their swiftness and durability. 



But in what degree of contempt soever foreign- 

 ers might formerly have held our horses, they 

 have for some time perceived their error, and our 

 English hunters are considered as the noblest and 

 the most useful horses in the world. Our geld- 

 ings are therefore sent over to the continent in 

 great numbers, and sell at veiy great prices : as 

 for our mares and stallions, there is a law prohi- 

 biting their exportation ; and one similar to this 

 is said to have obtained even as early as the times 

 of Athelstan, who prohibited their exportation, 

 except where designed as presents. 



Roger de Belegme, created Earl of Shrewsbury 

 by William the Conqueror,* is the first who is re- 

 corded to have made attempts towards the mend- 

 ing our native breed. He introduced Spanish 

 stallions into his estate at Powisland in Wales, 

 from which that part of the country was for many 

 ages after famous for a swift and generous race of 

 horses : however, at that time strength and swift- 

 ness were more regarded than beauty ; the horses' 

 shapes in time of action being entirely hid by a 

 coat of armour, which the knights then usually 

 put upon them, either by way of ornament or 

 defence. 



The number of our horses in London alone, in 

 the time of King Stephen, is said to have amount- 

 ed to twenty thousand. However, long after, in 

 the times of Queen Elizabeth, the whole kingdom 



* British Zoology, vol.i. p. 4. To this work I am indebted for several 

 particulars with regard to the native animals of this island. 



