THE ENGLISH HOKSE. 423 



country, the only one on eartli to whicli it has been introduced, 

 in which the English horse has not degenerated. 



In every respect, at least, we stand equal to the mother 

 country in her boasted equestrian glories ; in one particular, our 

 trotting turf, and the consequence thereof, our light, active, hardy 

 roadsters, we avowedly surpass her. With her hunters and 

 steeple-chasers we have not, nor are like to have, any competi- 

 tion ; but it is probable that, before these lines shall have been 

 converted from manuscript to type, the palm of the modern 

 turf may have been lost and won. 



All this, however, we have accomplished by cherishing what 

 we have got from her, alone of nations, the pure blood of our 

 thoroughbreds. If we lose that by our own neglect, or throw it 

 away, in obedience to the folly of fanatical pharisees, it will be our 

 own fault ; and a fault which will deserve contempt, not pity ; 

 committing which, we shall merit alike and receive the ridicule 

 of all foreign nations, and the reprobation of our own people, 

 before the birth of a second, much less a third, generation. 



