ilODERX FORM. 139 



the plains of Troy. It would be endless to turn to 

 other writers, to show the estimation in which the 

 chariot-horse has been held. 



In its present acceptation, the term " coach- 

 horse"" includes two varieties ; namely, the horse 

 that draws the gentleman's carriage, and the one 

 that is employed in those public conveyances, called 

 " stage-coaches.'"* As regards the former animals, 

 we believe a similar alteration has taken place in 

 the form, appearance, and breeding of them, as has 

 been seen in the English hunter, within the last 

 half century. The Flanders mares, so highly es- 

 teemed, and seen only in the carriages of families 

 of distinction ; the well buckled up, long-tailed 

 blacks and roans, have all disappeared, and we 

 find, in their stead, the sort of horse nearly ap- 

 proaching to the one which was formerly con- 

 sidered quite well-bred enough for the chase. 

 But the fact is, such is the present rage for 

 rapid travelling, both in private and public car- 

 riages, that nothing but well-bred horses have a 

 chance to stand what is called harness-work on our 

 roads. Those used also for " town-work," as the 

 term is, are of a superior description, amongst 

 which hundreds of good hunters might be selected ; 

 but such have been the high prices given for them 

 by the dealers, at an age which would not admit of 

 their being tried in the field, they have found their 

 way into harness, and, when once there, they re- 

 main in it. 



The form, however, of what may be termed a 

 splendid town coach-horse, need not be, by any 



