APPENDIX 



THE TURF. 



WE have repeated in the present Work, and indeed had already given proof of 

 the fact, in the BRITISH FIELD SPORTS, that the business of the TW/"had greatly 

 increased of late years ; in truth that its increase had become commensurate with 

 the increase of the population of these Kingdoms ; and, as we cannot suppose that 

 under such circumstances, light and intelligence have been retrograde, it will be 

 rational to conclude that, the science, business, and pleasure of Horse Coursing, 

 have been found in an enlightened age, worthy the attention and pursuit of 

 men, the most distinguished for their rank in society, and for their skill in the 

 science of life. Breeding for the Turf seems to proceed in an increasing ratio, and 

 bloojl is now almost universally diffused through the Equine genus of this Country, 

 with scarcely the exception of the horse for slow draught. Our studs also afford 

 a considerable surplus of horses for exportation to the Continent, to the United 

 States of America, and even to the East Indies; and the British Race Horse is uni- 

 versally allowed to stand proudly at the head of the whole genus, for size and powers, 

 for symmetry and beauty; and is thence chosen by foreigners, to improve the breeds 

 of their Country, both with respect to figure and utility. Our improvement in the 

 management of this invaluable and national race of horses, has long been conspi- 

 cuous, in respect to their stable treatment, exercise, and purgings ; in all which 

 cases, we have shaken off much of the barbarism, harshness, and fanciful discipline 

 of former days. In fine, our thorough-bred Horses have long since excelled their 

 originals of the South Eastern Deserts, nor do we find it possible to import from 

 thence any specimens, for symmetry of form, beauty, or useful qualification, equal to 

 our own. 



Having freely acknowledged thus much, we may be allowed to give our sen- 

 timents with equal freedom in the other direction ; and to state our opinion that, 

 however greatly we have improved, we have not yet reached that ultimate 

 point, bordering on perfection, which it is within our power to attain. The 

 attainment of this desirable, indeed national object, must depend entirely on the 

 practical, and experimental personal exertions of Sporting Gentlemen and Breeders, 

 of enlarged and unprejudiced mind : of men in the well-informed ranks of society, 



