THE HORSfc. 39 



It is certain, therefore, that in 1550 

 great attention was bestowed by English- 

 men in securing a better type of horse 

 than had previously existed, although 

 the progress to perfection was very 

 gradual, as we learn from Blunderville 

 who lived in the days of Queen Elizabeth Horses of 



England 



that two classes of horse existed in the during Eliza- 

 beths reign. 



country " very indifferent, strong, 

 slow, heavy draught horses, or light and 

 weak;" and it is, moreover, a notorious 

 fact that during this reign horses were 

 scarce. Whether this was caused by the 

 destruction of " the unlikely tits," during 

 her father's reign and afterwards, cannot 

 be determined. But history informs us of 

 the scanty arid meagre display the British 

 cavalry made at Tilbury Fort when assem- 

 bled there to be inspected by Elizabeth. 



