498 THE PROGRESS OF THE TURF IN FRANCE. 
have included the additions — the noble additions — made by Na- 
poleon, and others since collected from Syria, and Constantinople, 
See. &c. They likewise include purchases made long ago in Hun- 
gary, England, &c. and some of the descendents of these, since 
crossed with pure English blood. The editor sums up his objec- 
tions in this sweeping clause, — that “ out of the 156 oriental stal- 
lions, only thirty-four are now alive.” 
We have no wish to mingle in the disputes of these French 
writers, one of whom — the objector — the editor of the “Journal 
des Haras,” Le Comte de Montendre — belonged to the commis- 
sion by which this book was drawn up and arranged : but we 
cannot help thinking, that the very circumstances which he 
states as objections, redound to the credit of the commission. 
They wished to carry their record back to the period when 
the improvement of the French horse, in good earnest, com- 
menced ; and to record, for the praise and gratitude of distant 
posterity, every one that had been engaged in so noble a work. 
Simply to have taken up the state of the horse in 1837, without 
any retrospective glance at what others had done, would have 
been the worst of all crimes, ingratitude to those to whose labours 
they are deeply indebted. 
However, we have nothing to do with this — the stud-book is 
established — it will henceforth be the acknowledged record of 
equine reputation. It will be universally referred to as the stand- 
ard of worth, and its influence on the breeding of French horses 
will be invaluable. 
The French government seems to have taken up this import- 
ant object in good earnest. 
In the year 1834, 198,268 francs (about £8178) were given to 
be distributed in the different departments for the purchase of 
stallions and mares, , thorough and half-bred, in prizes for the 
best stallions, and the best mares and their produce, and in cups, 
money, &c. at different races. In 1835, 215,317 francs (about 
£8972) were thus distributed ; and in 1836, 447,123 francs (or 
£18,430). This is good and commendable policy ; and the result, 
in the improvement of the French breed of horses, will be most 
