^1 PREFACE. 



around and about the quadruped was moulded by influ- 

 ences which never regard the instincts of the animal. 

 Every incident, directly or remotely concerning its welfare, 

 was misconstrued or misstated. In proof of this is the 

 common belief that Arabia produces the perfection of the 

 tribe. This opinion is not to be substantiated by investi- 

 gation. It is accepted upon no positive evidence. It is 

 opposed to deductions drawn from a notorious fact. The 

 greater number of Arabian steeds are not much larger 

 than ordinary ponies. The climate dwarfs the stature. 

 Dwindled development is recognized as the established 

 proof of an uncongenial location. 



The Arab horse is undoubtedly the most beautiful and 

 the most intelligent specimen of its race. Travelers assure 

 us it lives beside its master. It is the companion of the 

 man and the playmate of the child. The country may not 

 be favorable to its bodily perfection; but the affections and 

 the mental attributes of a dumb intelligence are in that 

 land cultivated and enlarged. Arabia boasts possession of 

 the most civilized race of quadrupeds which are known to 

 mankind. Looking on the creatures of that country, the 

 world can contemplate the money value of kindness, since 

 the indulgence of this emotion can conceal a serious cor- 

 poral defect! 



Probably it may be urged such intimacy between the 

 human being and the beast is compatible only with a wild 

 and a half-savage state of society. But there exist other 

 nations as unrefined; nay, many peoples are known to be 

 more barbarous than are the Arabs. The animal, how- 

 ever, fares as badly with inhabitants of the uncultured 

 as with people of the civilized regions. The absence or 



