150 THE nOESE. 



It is well known th.at, at a very early day in mir history, 

 frequent importations of horses were made, but, it is believed, 

 without any particular reference to blood. For some time, 

 however, previous to the Revolution, a spirit of emulation ex- 

 isted in these colonies, and the thoroughbred horse became an 

 object of interest. Among the earliest of our importations, 

 which laid a foundation, broad and deep, of the racing stock of 

 the North, were Wild air and the Cub mare, in 1763, by Mr. 

 Delancy. Soon after came Sloven, in 1765 ; Figure, in 1766 ; 

 Lath, in 1768, and Whirligig in 1773. All these contributed 

 more or less to our racing-stock ; but to Bashaw the produce of 

 Wildair and the Cub mare, foaled shortly after their arrival in 

 this country, and to Figure are we mainly indebted for placing 

 us on an equality, at least, with earlier and much more exten- 

 sive breeders at the South. In the latter part of the last century, 

 and the very beginning of this, a number of superior stallions 

 were imported, which, standing at moderate prices, greatly im- 

 proved the general stock of the country. Among these may 

 be mentioned, Slender, in 1785 ; Messenger, in 1792 ; Bajazet 

 and Highlander, in 1794 ; Light Infantry and Sourcrout, about 

 the same time ; Baronet, in 1795 ; Alexander, in 1797 ; and 

 Expedition, in 1802. All of these made a favorable change in the 

 racing and road-stock of the Korth. But immeasurably superior 

 to all others was Messenger, and take him all in all, unquestion- 

 ably the best horse ever brought to America. He not only 

 produced race-horses of the first order, both at long and short 

 distances, but as roadsters his get was unequalled. Well do I 

 remember him when standing at the stable of Townsend Cock, 

 in this county. His large bony head, rather short straight neck, 

 with windpipe and nostrils nearly twice as large as ordinary, 

 with his low withers, and shoulders somewhat upright, but 

 deep, close, and strong. But behind these lay the perfection 

 and power of the machine. His barrel, loin, hips, and quarters 

 were incomparably superior to all others. His hocks and knees' 

 were unusually large ; below them his limbs were of medium 

 size, but flat, strong and remarkably clean, and, either in stand- 

 ing or in action, their position was perfect. 



Baronet, too, left his mark on our stock ; of all the importa- 

 tions, none equalled him in elegance and finish. And at a later 



