PAIR RACING THE ARABIAN HORSE. 



in condition, and not over weighted, would run with comparative ease. Since 

 that race, however, we have had an account published of another, fully deserving- all 

 the anathemas which could be pronounced against it, and equalling-, in atrocity, 

 those murderous exercises of this kind, which have so often disgraced the moral 

 character of our Country. The horses were barbarously whipped, and spurred, and 

 beaten to death upon the road ! Races upon the road, or indeed any where else, 

 made by gross and ignorant blackguards, are an abominable nuisance. But the 

 following is of a very different and most exemplary description, and we beg to 

 propose it in all its bearings, to those who experience diversion or profit, from the 

 exertions of the horse. " In January last, J. E. Snaith, Esq. matched a horse of 

 fourteen hands, to run eleven miles in half an hour, over the Asltford road : a quarter 

 of an hour was occupied in doing the first five miles, when it being evident, that 

 the horse had not speed to accomplish the task, the rider pulled up at the 

 sixth mile." 



We have already cited Count Rztwusky's Memoir ; the following extract from 

 thence, gives a curious account of the native disposition of the Arabian Horse, of 

 which the Kohlan is the superior race. - 



" Above all the horses in the World, the Kohlan is distinguished for the good- 

 ness of his qualities, and the beauty of his form. 



" An uncommon mildness of temper ; an unalterable faithfulness to his Master ; 

 a courage and intrepidity as astonishing, as they are innate in his noble breast ; an 

 unfailing remembrance of the places where he has been, of the treatment he has 

 received not to be led, not to be touched, but by his master in the most horrid 

 confusion of a battle, cool and collected, he never forgets the place he came from, 

 and though mortally wounded, if he can gather up sufficient strength, he carries 

 back his desponding rider to his defeated tribe. His intelligence is wonderful. 

 He knows when he is sold, or even when his master is bargaining to sell him. 

 When the Proprietor and Purchaser meet for that purpose, in the stables, the 

 Kohlan soon guesses what is going on, becomes restless, gives from his beautiful 

 eye, a side glance at the interlocutors, scrapes the ground with his foot, and plainly 

 shews his discontent. Neither the buyer nor any other, dares to come near him : 

 but the bargain being struck ; when the Vender taking the Kohlan by the halter, 

 gives him up to the purchaser, with a slice of bread and some salt, and turns away, 

 never more to look at him as his ownan ancient custom of taking leave of a horse 

 and his recognising a new master it is then that this generous and noble animal 

 becomes tractable, mild, and faithful to another, and proves himself immediately 

 attached to him, whom his passion a few minutes before, might have laid at his feet, 

 and trampled under his hoofs. This is not an idle story : 1 have been a witness of 

 and an actor in the interesting scene, having bought three Kohlans in 1810 and 

 1811, from Turkish prisoners. I made the bargain in the stables, and received 



c c 



