Anecdotes of Former Days 245 



the front of the pack for many generations. ... In any 

 given and proportionate length, from the bosom of the 

 horse to the setting on of the dock, the nearer the superior 

 points of the shoulders approach to the quarters, so much 

 better able will the carcase be to sustain and bring through 

 the weight ; and as much as the shoulders themselves pre- 

 vail in depth, and the thighs and quarters in length, so 

 much greater will be the velocity of the horse, because a 

 greater purchase of ground is hereby obtained at every stroke. 



" It is by this propriety of length, strength of carcase, 

 and the powers of the muscles that foreign horses excel 

 all others." 



There is much food for reflection in the above work. 

 The pith lies in the last sentence, which admirably refutes 

 the advocates of the hackney, when speed and jumping 

 power is required as in the hunter. It is in the absence 

 of " length " in himself and his stock that the hackney is 

 a failure for getting hunters. 



It should ever be remembered that the Arab has been 



bred for centuries for activity and endurance rather than 



for racing speed — qualities much required in the hunter. 



Some years ago there was a great match to test the above, 



and I was fortunate to be able to write down the account 



of it, one day at Cadiz, from the lips of Mr. J. Eeade who 



was umpire on the occasion. Mr. Eeade was then in the 



consular service, an excellent judge of a horse and of racing, 



and the handicapper at all the chief race meetings in Spain. 



EACE FOE 85 MILES 



FOR £1000 



Between an Arab and an English tJiorouglibred, 



at Cairo, 1865. 



