The English Horse in 1600. 



39 



good lioofes, yet fitter for the cart than either saddle or any working employment. How false this 

 is all English horsemen knowe. 



" The true English horse, him I mean that is bred under a good clime, on firme ground, in a 

 pure temperature, is of tall stature and large proportions; his head, though not so fine as either 

 the Barbarie's or the Turke's, yet is lean, long, and well-fashioned ; his crest is hie, only 

 subject to thickness if he be stoned, but if he be gelded then it is firm and strong ; his chyne 

 is straight and broad ; and all his limbs large, Icanc, flat, and excellently jointed. For their 

 endurance I have seen them suffer and execute as much and more than ever I noted of any 

 foraine creation. 



NOBILISSIMO, COURSIER NAPOLITAIN (AFTER THE MARQUIS OF NEWCASTLE). 



" I have heard it reported that at the Massacre of Paris (St. Bartholomew), Montgomerie, 

 taking an English mare in the night, first swam over the river Seine, and after ran her so many 

 leagues as I fear to nominate, lest misconstruction might ta.x me of too lavish a report. 



"Again, for swiftness, what nation hath brought forth that horse which hath exceeded the 

 English — when the best Barbaries that ever were in their prime, I saw them overrunne by a 

 black hobbie at Salisbury; yet that hobbie was more overrunne by a horse called Valentine, which 

 Valentine neither in hunting o; running was ever equalled, yet was a plain-bred English horse both 

 by syre and dam 1 Again, for infinite labour and long endurance, which is to be desired in our 

 hunting matches, I have not seen any horse to compare with the English. He is of tolerable 

 shape, strong, valiant, and durable." 



This passage is important, because it is a popular notion that the goodness of English 

 horses began with the race-horse in the time of Charles H., whilst there is much to be said in favour 



