EQUUS. 



tended, that their horses are in the high- 

 est estimation throughout Europe, and 

 in periods of national tranquillity consti- 

 tute an important article of exportation. 

 Their race-horse is not excelled in fleet- 

 ness or beauty by the coursers of Barbary 

 or Arabia, and in supporting a continu- 

 ance of intense effort is far superior to 

 them both. Details of the exploits of 

 English racers form a subject of extreme 

 interest to a particular description of 

 readers, and cannot be considered by any 

 admirers of nature as beneath attention. 

 Out of innumerable instances which have 

 been authenticated, we shall just men- 

 tion, that Bay Malton, belonging to the 

 Marquis of Rockingham, ran four miles 

 on the York course in seven minutes and 

 forty-four seconds. The celebrated Chil- 

 ders is supposed to have been the fleet- 

 est horse ever known in the world. He 

 was opposed by all the most distinguish- 

 ed horses of his day, and what is, per- 

 haps, unprecedented in such a variety of 

 contests, in every instance bore off the 

 prize. He is stated to have run a mile in 

 very little more than a minute, and his 

 general progress on a four mile course 

 was at the rate of eighty-two feet and a 

 half in a second. Eclipse was almost 

 equally swift with Childers, and was con- 

 siderably stronger. His form was by no 

 means considered as handsome, as indeed 

 his dimensions deviated very considera- 

 bly from those which were supposed to 

 constitute the standard of perfect beauty 

 in the horse; but, on the most minute 

 examination, his structure was found to 

 be contrived with the most exquisite me- 

 chanism -for speed. This horse died at 

 the age of twenty-six years, which, though 

 unquestionably great, has been often 

 considerably exceeded. Matchem, ano- 

 ther celebrated racer, died at the age of 

 thirty -two. For the race-horse, see Mam- 

 malia, Plate XI. fig. 1. 



The hunter is another distinct class of 

 horses in England, where it is brought, 

 by minute attention to breeding, to a high 

 degree of excellence. With a consider- 

 able portion of the speed of the race- 

 horse, it combines inexpressibly more 

 strength ; and the exertions which it of- 

 ten endures and survives, in violent cha- 

 ses of several hours continuance, are a 

 deciued proof of its vigour and value. 



The draught-horse constitutes another 

 class of these most interesting animals, 

 and is no where advanced to such size 

 and power as in Great Britain. Yorkshire 

 and Lincolnshire are the most celebrated 

 counties for this breed, whence several 



have been brought to London, which 

 have each, for a short distance, drawn, 

 without difficulty, the weight of three 

 tons, half of which is considered as the 

 regular draught. A horse of this class 

 was exhibited as a curiosity in London in 

 the year 1805, no less than twenty hands 

 in height. For the cart-horse, see Mam- 

 malia, Plate XI. fig. 2. 



The colour of the horse is generally 

 considered as a matter of trifling conse- 

 quence. A bright or shining bay appears 

 in this country to obtain the preference. 

 In China, what are called pie-bald horses 

 are in particular estimation. On occa- 

 sions of particular state in England, eight 

 horses of a cream colour draw the royal 

 carriage. The ancients appear to have 

 connected their ideas of pomp ami dig- 

 nity on similar occasions with the perfect 

 white, in allusion to which the classics 

 furnish an infinity of circumstances. Ab- 

 solute whiteness in the horse is, in ihis 

 country, in almost every instance, the ef- 

 fect of age, which expunges the dark 

 spots of the original grey. The improve- 

 ment of the horse has within a few years 

 been an object of the attention of go- 

 vernment, as well as of enlightened indi- 

 viduals ; and establishments have been 

 formed on a liberal scale for the promo- 

 tion of veterinary science. In France the 

 government has recently devoted consi- 

 derable attention to this highly impor- 

 tant subject ; and during the last year on- 

 ly (1807) a very considerable number of 

 veterinary schools or colleges were insti- 

 tuted in the capital, and the principal ci- 

 ties of the departments. 



E. asinus, the ass. A warm climate is 

 favourable to this species, (as also indeed 

 to the horse,) which is found in various 

 parts of Africa in a state of nature, in 

 which it is gregarious, and displays very 

 considerable beauty, and even sprightli- 

 ness. In the mountainous territories of 

 Tartary, and in the south of India and 

 Persia, asses occur in great abundance, 

 and are said to be here either absolutely 

 white, or of a pale grey. Their hair also 

 is reported to be bright and silky. In 

 Persia asses are extremely in use, and 

 supply, for different purposes, two very 

 different races, oneJieavy and slow, and 

 the other slight, sprightly, and agile, 

 which last is exclusively kept for the 

 saddle. The practice is prevalent in 

 that country, of slitting the nostrils of 

 these animals, by which it is imagined 

 they breathe with greater freedom, and 

 can consequently sustain greater exer- 

 tion. The ass is stated to have been un- 



