196 A HISTORY- OF THE PEECHEEON HOBSE 



In the space reserved for "observations" in this 

 original entry no particulars as to the breeding of 

 Toulouse are given, but in 1853 we find him men- 

 tioned as a son of Sandy, whose breeding is not 

 given, out of "an unknown Percheron mare." His 

 height is here given as a little over 16 hands. 

 Farther along we find that in 1859 — although he 

 was then, it will be observed, 20 years old — he was 

 still receiving his subsidy. Not only that, but it is 

 particularly to be impressed at this point that 

 whereas the custom of entering "remarks" con- 

 cerning these approved stallions had been for some 

 years discontinued we find this extraordinary spe- 

 cial tribute to this veteran of two decades: 



"April 2, 1859 — Toulouse est arrive a la decrepi- 

 tude. C'etait un magnifique etalon de trait. Bien 

 diflScile a remplacer. Je demande qu'il ne soit plus 

 approve en 1860." 



That is to say: "Toulouse is getting worn out. 

 He was a magnificent draft stallion. Very difficult 

 to replace him. I recommend that he should not be 

 approved for 1860." 



Toulouse, "the magnificent," was now going the 

 way of all flesh as no longer useful in the stud at 

 the ripe old age of twenty years. Although appar- 

 ently the greatest horse of his era in the Perche, so 

 far as authentic records go, his very existence was 

 scarcely a tradition as late as 1883, the date of the 

 founding of the stud book! Truly, once again let 

 us reiterate, French breeders were at all times more 

 concerned in making history than in writing it. 



