262 ON COLOUR. 



I ever was on was of this circus colour, and 

 he was a wonder over a country as well as 

 on the road, and a fine stayer to boot, having, 

 I suspect, Arab blood in him), is only suitable 

 for cobs and ponies, and any so coloured 

 should be well shaped and of fine action, since 

 they are sure to attract everybody's attention. 

 Notions used to exist, as we have pre- 

 mised, even among experienced horsemen, 

 that difPerent colours betokened different 

 temperaments. Thus a bay, brown, or grey 

 was considered to be generally sound, honest, 

 enduring, and temperate ; while blacks, 

 though some of them might be game and 

 staying, were apt to be sullen and vicious ; 

 chestnuts, fiery and hot-tempered, and fre- 

 quently, if of a light shade, also soft. All 

 I can say about this is, that while the 

 very hottest animal I ever myself rode 

 was a beautiful dark bay, and the three 

 next most excitable I have known all 

 greys ; the two most temperate and tranquil 



