PREFACE. 



THE present booklet has been written with the intent 

 to prove that of late years the English nation has failed 

 in the production of one of its most important commodi- 

 ties, and the means by which a further extent of this evil 

 can be remedied has been suggested. 



The race-course has caused the excessive creation of 

 thorough-breds. Why should not the general-utility 

 horse possess a suitable arena whereon to exhibit his 

 speed and endurance at other paces than the gallop ? 



The demand for such horses in a commercial point of 

 view is not sufficiently attractive to create the much- 

 needed supply ; but were trotting courses instituted in 

 this cduntry similar to those in America then the supply 

 would, in a very few years, exceed the demand. 



The illustrations which accompany this small volume 

 are intended to point out the classes of horses which 

 existed during the various periods of the world's history, 

 and especially those common to Great Britain during the 



