THE HORSE. 201 



than that of the course, being too slight either 

 for the road, the chase, or the combat ; and his 

 joints so delicately united, as to render him sub- 

 ject to the smallest accidents. They therefore 

 conclude, that less encouragement given to racing 

 would be a means of turning us from breeding 

 rather for swiftness than strength, and that we 

 should thus be again famous for our strong hunt- 

 ers, which they say are wearing out from among 

 us. 



How far this may be fact, I will not take upon 

 me to determine, being but little versed in a sub- 

 ject that does not properly come within the com- 

 pass of natural history. Instead, therefore, of 

 farther expatiating on this well known animal's 

 qualifications, upon which many volumes might 

 easily be written, I will content myself with just 

 mentioning the description of Camerarius, in which 

 he professes to unite all the perfections which a 

 horse ought to be possessed of. " It must," says 

 he, " have three parts like those of a woman ; the 

 breast must be broad, the hips round, and the 

 mane long : it must in three things resemble a 

 lion ; its countenance must be fierce, its courage 

 must be great, and its fury irresistible : it must 

 have three things belonging to the sheep ; the 

 nose, gentleness, and patience : it must have 

 three of a deer ; head, leg, and skin : it must 

 have three of a wolf ; throat, neck, and hearing : 

 it must have three of a fox ; ear, tail, and trot : 

 three of a serpent ; memory, sight, and flexibi- 

 lity : and, lastly, three of a hare ; running, walk- 

 ing, and perseverance." 



