IB THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



The British islands produce several interesting 

 breeds of ponies. The largest of these, the Scotch 

 Galloway, is unfortunately almost extinct. It was 

 from thirteen to fourteen hands high, of a bright bay 

 or brown, with black legs, small head and neck, and 

 peculiarly deep and clean legs. Its qualities were 

 speed, stoutness, and surefootedness over a very rugged 

 and mountainous country. Dandie Dinmont's famous 

 Dumple was of this breed. Dr. Anderson thus de- 

 scribes a galloway belonging to himself: " In point 

 of elegance of shape it was a perfect picture, and in 

 disposition it was gentle and compliant. It moved 

 almost with a wish, and never tired. I rode this 

 little creature for twenty-five years, and twice in that 

 time I rode a hundred and fifty miles at a stretch, 

 without stopping, except to bait, and that not for 

 above an hour at a time. It came in at the last stage 

 with as much ease and alacrity as it travelled the 

 first. I could have undertaken to perform on this 

 beast, when it was in its prime, sixty miles a day for 

 a twelvemonth, without any extraordinary exertion." 



The Exmoor ponies, though generally ugly enough, 

 are hardy and useful : one of them has been known 

 to clear a gate eight inches higher than his back. 

 Those of Dartmoor are larger, and, if possible, uglier. 

 Being admirably fitted for scrambling over the rough 



