34 



sary were the endeavours of horse-loving 

 sovereigns to improve the breed : — 



" Maneging and doubling after a cariere belongeth 

 to a horse of greate force, which indeed should re- 

 present in his doings the verie order of fight observed 

 in the field wliich is hut little tised now a daies because of 

 the general iveaknes of ouv horses y 



In the earher edition the writer speaks 

 with admiration of the Great Horse, 



" not finelie yet stronglie made he is of great stature. 

 The mares also be of a great stature ; strong, long, 

 large, fayre and fruitful ; and besides that, will en- 

 dure great labour in their wagons, in which I have 

 seene two or three mares to go lightly away with 

 such a burthen as is almost uncredible." 



" But now to content the countryman his desire, 

 which seeketh to breede horses for draught or 

 burthen, where should I wysh him to provyde hym- 

 selfe of Mares and Stallions better than here in 

 Englande." 



" I have knowne some carriars that go with carts, 

 to be so exquisit in their choyse of horses, as onlesse 

 been as commely to the eye as good in their worke 

 they would not buye them ; insomuch as I have seen 

 somtyme drawing in their carts better proportioned 

 horses than I have knowne to be fynely kept in 

 stables, as jewels for the saddle. The horse that is 

 meete for the cart, may serve also for the burthen, 

 bycause he is strong and able to beare much." 



In the second edition, however, we find 

 the recommendation to the countryman to 

 provide himself with stock of English raising 

 qualified by a remark which confirms the 

 author's reference to the general weakness 



