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oriental gray coat, the best adapted of all to withstand the burning 

 rays of the sun in the midst of the fields — a coat which pleases the 

 eye, and which in the darkness of the night allowed the postilion of 

 former times to see that he was not alone — that his friend was 

 making his way loyally before him. It is exempt ( a cause of ever- 

 lasting jealously among the breeders of other races), always exempt 

 from the hereditary bony defects of the hock, and where it is raised, 

 spavin, jardon, bone spavin, periodical inflammation, and other 

 dreaded infirmities are not known even by name. 



" This tjuly typical race would seem a myth, did it not exist in 

 our midst. But every day we see, every day we handle this treasure, 

 the munificent gift of Providence to this favored region, to cause 

 agriculture, that ' nursing mother,' to flourish, and with agriculture, 

 peace and abundance. 



" I need not name this breed ; everyone, from this incomplete 

 sketch, has recognized the fine race of steady and laborious horses 

 bred in the ancient province of Perche (so justly entitled Perche of 

 good horses) , plowing in long furrows the soil of Beauce, and thence 

 spreading itself over all France, where its qualities render it without 

 a rival for all the specialties of rapid draft. 



"That cool, restrained and ever fresh energy, that courageous 

 patience of which the Percheron, every day, gives an example, drag- 

 ging, at a trot, heavy loads, the weight of which frightens the imagin- 

 ation ; stopping short both in ascending or descending ; starting off 

 freely, and always without balking ; never sulking at his work or 

 food, and fearing neidier heat nor cold. He remains exclusively 

 both the quick and mettlesome draft horse and the heavy burdfu 

 and express waggon horse. He possesses superior strength, speed, 

 docility, temper and honesty, and a complete absence of irritability. 

 This is a specimen of Percheron qualities. 



" Hence it is that all our provinces envy us the possession of the 

 race, and even foreign countries seek after it with an eagerness 

 amounting to a passion. 



" The prices of these stallions have increased so rapidly in a few 

 years that they have tripled and quadrupled. Accordingly, the pos- 

 sessors sold them. The administrative authorities, aided by the 

 €lite of the proprietors, endeavored, however, to hinder this immi- 

 gration. They formed a stud-stable at Bonneval. Prizes were given 

 at Mortagne, Nogent le-Rotrou, lUiers, and Vendome. But an end 



