52 THE HORSE. 



had the inexpressible satisfaction of finding the health of 

 his darling renovated, of seeing that eye which had been 

 lately dimmed by the paralysing power of sickness dart 

 forth its accustomed lustre, beaming benignity and grati- 

 tude upon his deliverer from premature death, and of again 

 bestriding his favourite charger, who carried him once 

 more in triumph among the ranks of his companions in 

 arms, where the prying eye of his officer, however, soon 

 discovered the animal whom he had but lately consigned 

 to death. On this discovery, Ford was sharply questioned 

 as to the cause of his temerity in daring to disobey the 

 commands of his superior. The poor fellow, fearful of the 

 consequences of such an action, unhesitatingly ackowledged 

 the whole simple truth, and concluded with entreating 

 forgiveness; which the captain not only granted, but 

 sealed his pardon, in presence of the whole regiment, with 

 a considerble present in money, and added many exalted 

 encomiums on the sympathyand benevolence of this British 

 dragoon. 



The Horses of India and many parts of China are 

 extremely small and vicious. One of these was some years 

 ago brought into this country as a present to the queen, 

 which was very little larger than some mastiffs, measuring 

 only nine hands in height. 



In Great Britain the breed of Horses seems to be as 

 mixed as that of its inhabitants. By great attention to 

 the improvement of this noble animal, by a judicious 

 mixture of several kinds, and by superior skill in manage- 

 ment, the English Race-Horse is allowed to excel those of 

 the rest of Europe or perhaps the whole world. For 

 supporting a continuance of violent exertion, they are 

 superior to the Arabian, the Barb, or the Persian ; and, for 

 swiftness, they will yield the palm to none. 



The Hunter is a happy combination with others of 

 superior strength, but inferior in its swiftness, and may be 

 considered as the most useful kind of horses in Europe. 



The various breeds of the Horse are numerous in this 

 country; but we shall only notice, in conclusion, the 

 common Cart-Horse. His form is heavy, his motions 

 slow, and his aspect without sprightliness : he is neverthe- 

 less extremely useful, and is employed for purposes of 

 agricultural and other domestic concerns. 



The females go with young eleven months and some 

 days, continue to breed till the age of sixteen or eighteen 

 years, and live, on an average, between twenty and thirty 

 years. 



