A STRANGE LAND. 227 



the joy of my coming back to reason depicted in their 

 looks and actions. I had the very best care and nursing, 

 and any number of visitors calling to see me. Of course, 

 I could only greet them by shaking hands, and thank 

 them with my eyes for their kindness. 



"Daily I became stronger, and was at last convales- 

 cent, and allowed to be outdoors. The weather was de- 

 lightful, and everything gave token of a very old coun- 

 try, wealth and refinement. The people were such as 

 might be seen in New York City, without indication of 

 poverty in any respect. They all dressed well, were very 

 cheerful, pleasant and cordial. The trades and arts were 

 about as in my country, but in many respects, especially 

 mechanics, my land was far away behind them. In some 

 particulars they were away behind Americans. Of course 

 my first thought was horse, and what horses ; perfect in 

 every respect, apparently not an unsound one in the 

 nation. They were about the size of the American trot- 

 ters, but averaging larger, scarcely any smaller than fif- 

 teen and three-quarter hands, and few over sixteen hands. 

 Imagine the most blood-like horse your conception can 

 picture, with bone like ivory, good substance, but nothing 

 gross, clean cut necks, the most beautiful heads, eyes and 

 ears that mortal men ever saw, and your most vivid imag- 

 ination will fall short of their beauty and spirit, coupled 

 with kindness and intelligence. 



"Every man, woman and child is a horse lover. But 

 the vehicles ! Holy Sailor, the vehicles and harness ! 

 Everything is on two wheels. The racing cart is a coun- 

 terpart of the low, heavy 'Roman chariots' that were used 

 in America for exhibitions by female 'chariot riders' and 

 weigh not less than three hundred pounds. The driver 

 stands up in racing. The harness is five times the weight 



