THE HACKNEY HORSE. 27 



although unfortunately denied the benefit of a Stud Book, were 

 not regardless of the value of a pedigree, and it would be as in- 

 sulting to the memories of these departed breeders, as it is 

 opposed to the dictates of common sense to maintain that 

 they were neglectful of the breeding of the mares from which 

 they raised their stallions. That a certain amount of obscurity 

 must always exist concerning the authenticity of ancient 

 pedigrees is a melancholy fact which all experienced breeders 

 are compelled to recognise, but it can scarcely be contended 

 with any reasonable show of justice, that the pages of a 

 printed Stud Book must invariably be correct, if all verbal 

 or traditional testimony, such as handing down the pedigrees 

 from father to son, is necessarily wrong. All breeders must 

 admit that changelings have existed amongst thoroughbreds, 

 and consequently, this being so, the records of their Stud Book 

 might as well be described as being unreliable, and with as 

 much justice as Hackney pedigrees are assailed by those who 

 cavil at the fact that every detail of early breeding is not 

 set down in black and white. 



Reverting, however, to the antiquity of the Hackney as a 

 recognised breed, it may be stated that most ample testimony 

 is forthcoming in support of this assumption, for which the 

 writings of many recognised authorities are witnesses. John 

 Lawrence, whose exceedingly practical contributions to the 

 literature of 1 the eighteenth century were compiled under 

 difficulties which will be fully appreciated by modern authors, 

 makes frequent allusions to a breed that was in all its 

 principal characteristics identical with the Hackney of the 

 present day. From a perusal of the " Philosophical and 

 Practical Treatise on Horses," published by him, we find 

 that " in former days " the horses for the saddle were nags, 

 amblers, pacers, stirrers, trotting horses, hobbies, great horses, 

 or horses for the buff saddle, hunting horses, coursers, race- 

 horses; whilst he proceeds to add, the appellatives in 

 " present use amongst us," are road horses, riding horses, 

 saddle horses, nags, Chapman's horses, hacks, hackneys, ladies' 



