HOUSE, 68l> 



and fourth years ; acquires tusks in the fifth j gravid two hundred 

 and ninety days. 



The breed of horses in Great Britain is as mixed as that of its in- 

 habitants : the frequent introduction of foreign horses has given us 

 a variety, that no single country can boast of : most other kingdoms 

 produce only one kind; while ours, by a judicious mixture of the 

 several species j by the happy difference of our soils ; and by our su- 

 perior skill in management, may triumph over the rest of Europe, in 

 having brought each quality of this noble animal to the highest per- 

 fection. 



In the annals of Newmarket, may be found instances of horses 

 that have literally outstripped the wind, as the celebrated M. Con- 

 damine has lately shewn in his remarks on those of Great Britain. 

 Childers, is an amazing instance of rapidity, his speed having been 

 more than once exerted, equal to 82f feet in a second, or near a 

 mile in a minute : the same horse has also run the round course at 

 Newmarket, (which is about 400 yards less than four miles,) in six 

 minutes and forty seconds : in which case his fleetness is to that of 

 the swiftest barb, as four to three; the former, according to Dr. 

 Maty's computation, covering at every bound a space of ground, 

 equal in length to twenty-three feet royal ; the latter only that of 

 eighteen feet and a half royal. 



Horses of this kind, derive their origin from Arabia ; the seat of 

 the purest, and most generous breed. 



The species used in hunting, is a happy combination of the for- 

 mer with others superior in strength, but inferior in point of speed 

 and lineage: an union of both is necessary: for the fatigues of the 

 chace must be supported by the spirit of the one, as well as by the 

 vigour of the other- 

 No country can bring a parallel to the strength and size of our 

 horses destined for the draught ; or to the activity and strength 

 united, of those that form our cavalry. 



In our capital there are instances of single horses that are able to 

 draw on a plain, for a small space, the weight of three tons ; but 

 could with ease, and for a continuance, draw half that weight. 

 The pack-horses of Yorkshire, employed in conveying the manufac- 

 tures of that county to the most remote parts of the kingdom, usually 

 carry a burden of 420 pounds ; and that indifferently over the high- 

 est hills of the north, as well as the most level roads; but the most 

 remarkable proof of the strength of our British horses, is to be 

 drawn from that of our mill-horses ; some of these will carry at one 



