118 ROAD, TRACK, AND STABLE. 
These two terms were at one time more nearly synony- 
mous than they are now. A thoroughbred (as we have 
seen, and as the instructed reader will scorn to be 
told) is one whose pedigree is registered in the English 
Stud Book, the first volume of which was published in 
1808. A preliminary volume, called “ An Introduction 
to a General Stud Book,” issued in 1791, contained 
the names of the«hief mares and stallions of racing 
stock then living. These are the “foundation” horses 
from which the present thoroughbreds, English and 
American, have sprung. They were almost entirely 
of Oriental descent. Arabs were imported to Eng- 
land at a very early period, but not in such numbers 
as to effect any decided improvement in the native 
breed until the reign of James J. This monarch es- 
tablished a racing stable, and installed therein some 
fine Arabian stallions. Charles I. continued the same 
policy, and the royal stud which he left at Tutbury 
consisted chiefly of Arab-bred horses. Soon after his 
execution, it was seized by order of Parliament; but, 
happily, the change in dynasty did not interfere with 
the conduct of the stud. Cromwell, as is well known, 
had a sharp eye for a horse, and the best of the King’s 
lot were soon “chosen” for the Lord Protector. 
Charles II., again, had no less a passion for horses, 
and almost the first order that he issued, after land- 
ing in England, was one to the effect that the Tutbury 
nags should be returned to the royal stables. This 
monarch imported some Arabian stallions, and a col- 
lection of mares called Royal Mares, purchased on 
the Continent. Their breeding is not entirely known, 
but many of them were Arabs or Barbs. The Royal 
Mares figure in the first volume of the Stud Book. 
