. CHAPTER X. 



ARABIAN HORSES IN ENGLAND. 



Owing to the great difficulties of purchase and im- 

 portation of Arab horses, I imagine that only a few 

 breeders can afford to be enthusiastic on the sub- 

 ject, even in England. 



" In England the P];ince, or rather the Princess, of 

 Wales heads the list. It is the custom of the Sultan 

 of Turkey to send presents of so called Arab horses, 

 to distinguished crowned heads in Europe. A 

 tremendous sensation was caused in Turkey and the 

 East by the present of the famous stallion Kouch to 

 the Princess of Wales. The Pasha who was sent 

 over in charge of the horse said on his arrival in 

 England that he had taken many beautiful horses 

 as presents to various crowned heads, but one of 

 Kouch 's breed, never before. It was believed the 

 Sultan would as soon have thought of parting with 

 his sultanate as with an Arab horse of this breed, 

 and it was doubtful if he could ever get another like 

 him. It was so unusual a gift that it was confi- 

 dently asserted that the Sultan would never again 

 be allowed to part with anything so rare and valu- 

 able." 



Had the Sultan any special reason for presenting 

 Kouch to the Princess? 



60 



