vi. Preface 



interest in those breeds of horses which are 

 most useful to the State. 



It would be easy to multiply ad infinitum 

 such evidence as is here quoted, but it is 

 unnecessary to encumber the narrative with 

 repetition of details which throw no fresh 

 light upon the history of the breed. These 

 pages have been written for the convenience 

 of those who desire to possess in concise 

 form knowledge of the main facts concerning 

 the origin and development of this truly 

 noble and most useful animal, and to point 

 out the true type of the " Shire Horse." 

 It is not claimed that there is any informa- 

 tion contained in this w^ork which those 

 who are interested in the subject may not, 

 with an equal amount of patient reading 

 obtain for themselves. 



Elscnliain Hall, Essex, 

 January, 1899. 



