THE BREEDS OF HORSES. 257 



a thousand purposes. In London, where the largest and finest 

 are in demand for the carts of brewers, the wagons of coal 

 merchants, and other uses, the stranger sees with admiration 

 the vast number of enormous carriages in endless motion 

 through the crowded streets, drawn by teams of the largest 

 horses in the world; and, doubtless, there is something noble 

 in the aspect of these huge creatures, yoked in lines, and 

 obedient to the voice amidst all the tumult of a great city; 

 but examination shows that there is an excessive waste of 

 power, both in the unnecessary bulk of the animals and in the 

 manner in which their services are performed. They are 

 usually attached in lines, which causes them to pull with 

 sudden jerks and with unequal force; and, in turning the 

 corners of narrow streets and lanes it is often seen that the 

 entire weight of the enormous carriage is thrown, for a time, 

 upon the shaft horse. It is contended by many that extreme 

 weight and bulk of body are necessary for these horses to 

 enable them to resist the jolting and sudden obstacles en- 

 countered on the rough pavement which they never leave; 

 but, in truth, it is habit and a species of pride which lead 

 the owners of wagons to prefer the largest and most showy 

 horses to those of moderate size and more useful action; for 

 experience cannot but show that it is muscular force and not 

 the vis inertice of great weight of body which best enables a 

 horse to overcome continued obstacles. The mere gratifica- 

 tion of taste, however, in the employment of these splendid 

 horses would scarcely require a passing censure were it not 

 that this gratification exercises a really hurtful influence in 

 the breeding districts, causing attention to be directed to 

 size and appearance rather than to useful properties, and 

 tending to perpetuate that unnecessary bulk of body which 

 constitutes so great a defect in the breed. Nor is this influ- 

 ence, unimportant in degree; for it is to be observed that the 

 demand for horses of the largest class is not confined to the 

 capital, but extends to all the numerous cities and populous 

 towns where drays and wagons are in use. When animals of 

 the largest size are in demand, and the highest prices are 

 paid for them, it becomes the interest of breeders to employ 

 large stallions and use every means to favor the develop- 



