IMPROVEMENT IN CROSS-COUNTRY HORSES. 233 



prices given for hunters and steeplechase horses, which must 

 tend to improve their breed and consequently their qualities 

 in the same ratio as a similarly enhanced value has improved 

 our thoroughbred horses. I may therefore fairly assume that 

 our horses have made progressive improvement, and are now 

 better than at any other period of their history ; and that 

 we may congratulate ourselves on the happy and complete 

 success that has followed the indomitable pluck, skill, and 

 energy of breeders of the thoroughbred racehorse. 



