680 Transactions of the American Institute. 



winner of the Leger. Leamington, one of his best sons, is now in 

 America; he was imported by Mr. Cameron, of Stalen Island, who 

 sold him a short time since to M)-. Welch, of Philadelphia. Leam- 

 ington's late stable companions, Hampton Conrt, by Young Mel- 

 bourne, and Warminster, by Newminster, are just two as good stal- 

 lions as it would be possible to purchase. They were imported by 

 Mr. Cameron, who we may cordially congratulate on still owning 

 them. 



Hampton Court is a bay horse, with a splendid trotting action ; and 

 now, that Warminster's mighty sire is no more, he must of necessity 

 stand still higher in the estimation of all sensible breeders of racing 

 stock. There is still another race of horses peculiar to L*eland. I 

 speak of the three-fourth bred Irish steeple-chase horse, an animal 

 unrivaled for pluck and determination, active as a tiger, bold as a 

 lion, reliable as trusty steal, yet difficult to manage. In unskilled 

 hands he is worse than useless ; his hearty spirit brooks no curb, and 

 his rare intelligence enables him to discover in a moment whether he 

 or his rider be the better man of the two. For heavy draught the 

 Clydesdale is preeminently suited ; his intelligence and docility are 

 unsurpassed. His motive power is immense, and, when pure bred, 

 his action is always splendid. Were I conmiissioned to-morrow to 

 purchase horses to improve the blood in tiiis country, I should not 

 be careful to select Derby winners; on the contrary, I should secure 

 young horses of undoubted purity of descent, of faultless shapes, of 

 reliable temper, and with superb action, I would import thorough- 

 bred English stallions, half bred and three-quarter bred Irish mares, 

 • Clydesdale stallions and mares. Both are necessary; there is, at the 

 moment, such a pressing want of handsome, showy, heavy team 

 horses in this country ; and last, though not least, I would at any 

 cost secure some clean bred Arabs, although to eftect this I had to 

 penetrate, revolver in hand, even into the heart of Sahara. From 

 these sons of the desert I should expect great things, mating them, 

 as I would, with the most choice mares of this country. Derby win- 

 ners sell at high prices, from £5,000 to £20,000 ; first class English 

 fitallions, from £1,000 to £3,000. Irish mares of the approved 

 classes vary from seventy-five pounds to £300. Clydesdales can be 

 purchased from £100 to £500. I entirely disapprove of French 

 blood. At best it is but mongrel, and must want the staying power 

 of the clean bred animal. I would warn my American friends of 

 so-culled Arabs imported direct from Africa. These horses are inva- 



