Again, should the happy result be arrived at in the eighth generation, and there should not be any appreciable difference from the original pure stock, it is quite possible that the eighth in descent might not be capable of handing down to posterity, through succeeding generations, the primal characteristics of his originator; whereas the establishing a new breed from pure Arabian blood on both sides does not admit of a mistake, and much time is saved.

Unless Eclipse were got by Shakespeare, son of Hobgoblin, son of Aleppo by the Darley Arabian, the blood of the Darley Arabian is brought down in direct male line from Bartlett's Childers (own brother to Flying Childers) to Eclipse, and from him through four of his sons-Mercury, Joe Andrews, King Fergus, and Pot8os, all of whom may be said founded families. Some of them are well represented in the present day; and through Flying Childers in the female line, and is also well represented. Herod, his great-greatgrandson, on the female side, had two strains of his blood: Eclipse, also his great-great-grandson, had only one strain; but as it came direct from father to son, it must, I think, be considered more valuable. Although there have been continued unions of the Eclipse and Herod families, as the blood from both sources was impure, not only has the requisite qualification never been attained, but I may say is unattainable.

SECTION II.

OF THE EASTERN HORSES FROM WHICH THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE IS DESCENDed.

I will now invite attention to the various Eastern horses which were brought over to this country, and whose blood was infused into the old running stock of the country, that it may be judged, so far as the scanty information may permit, what is the value of the blood of the several horses.

It will be seen in the Stud Book that nine Turks, six Barbs, six Arabians, and one, the Godolphin, whether a Barb or an Arabian is a disputed point, are more especially mentioned. The Turks are the Helmsley Turk, Place's White Turk, the Lister Turk, the Byerly Turk, D'Arcy White and Yellow Turks, the Selaby Turk, Sir J. Williams's Turk, the Belgrade Turk. The Barbs-Dodsworth, Greyhound, Curwen Bay Barb, the Toulouse Barb, Croft's Bay Barb, and the Compton Barb. The Arabians-Markham's, Darley Arabian, Bloody Buttocks, the Cullen Arabian, the Coomb Arabian, the Vernon Arabian. There were, as will be seen by looking through the pages of the first volume of the Stud Book, several other Barbs, Turks, and Arabs, also some Persians, Egyptians, Koorkomm, and other foreign horses, and among them the Leedes Arabian, Alcock Arab, the Morocco Barb, &c., &c.

The value of the blood of these horses would be greater or less in proportion as they may be regarded as being wholly or only partially

of Arabian blood. In looking at the Turks generally, it must be considered whether they were merely horses of the Turkish dominions, the descendants, doubtless, of the breeds improved by the infusion of Arabian blood, which took place shortly after the death of Mohammed, or were they Arab horses imported into Turkey, and having been obtained from thence, called Turks? If the former, the blood would be good to a certain extent, but, of course, far inferior to the true Arabian: if they were really of Arab blood, we must again look to see what kind of Arabs they were likely to have been, and in considering them generally it would be well to look especially to the Byerly Turk, as he heads one of the great lines from which our horse is descended. It is stated in the account of The Racehorse,' given in the Sportsman's Repository, that Count Forbin, who travelled in Syria, and gives some account of horses usually imported from the Levant, mentions a breed called Ocel-Mefhi, described by him as an inferior class of Arabs, more slight, figury and higher upon the leg, generally purchased by the Turks, and in all probability the 'same variety, in former days, imported by our breeders under that name; for example, the Helmsley, Lister, and Byerley Turks.' In looking at those described as Barbs, to estimate their value we must endeavour to see how far they may have any claim to have been horses of the Sahara, said by Abd-el-Kader to be the pure descendants of the Arabian. Firstly, we must remember what the Emir has told us regarding Barbs, that they have not all been kept pure, and although derived from Arab stock, many have degenerated. Secondly, alluding especially to the Curwen Bay Barb, a present to Louis XIV. from Muley Ishmael, King of Morocco, it will be seen by a little episode narrated by General Daumas, and which has been given in another place at greater length, that when a present was wanted for the Sultan, the mare selected was not forthcoming, as Zi-Ben-Zyon, the son of her owner, rode off on the mare, and another and inferior animal had to be substituted. How easily they manage these things. Again referring to Barbs generally, General Daumas, who has given the subject the greatest attention, says, 'We may rest assured that for 'the most part the animals sold to us are of an inferior order, and that 'horses and mares whose noble and precious qualities have been ascertained by proof, whether as regards speed or as breeders, are never parted with to foreigners for any price. This is the real truth, and in all probability explains the disrepute into which Arabians ' appear to have fallen in Europe. One seldom there meets with any 'except such as the Arabs have no desire to keep.'

The Godolphin may have been a horse of the Sahara ;' yet I find that Omar Pasha, when he made inquiries about him in Egypt, was told he was a Jelfan; and I understand the Jelfan is not a first-class breed, hardly second class.

In speaking of the Arabians, it may be remarked that the first on the list, Markham's, was held in light esteem, and probably played but a very unimportant part at the Stud, if used at all, and without delay proceed to give the history of the Darley Arabian, a bay

'horse, whose figure contained every point, without much show, that 'could be desired in a Turf horse.' He was obtained by Mr. Darley, who was consul at Aleppo one hundred and fifty years ago, who probably had commanded the esteem, respect and goodwill of the Arab tribes who pass up north from Central Arabia. He belonged to the breed Kehailan Ras el Fedawi; the breed is still in existence, and descendants of the Darley Arabian are still there. The Kehailan Ras el Fedawi is a first-class breed, but not the best.

It may be fairly assumed, therefore, that the Turks and Barbs brought over to this country were generally not only of an inferior order but there is every probability that they were of mixed and impure blood, that a great many were, there can be no doubt; that many of the horses called Arabs were no better, may well be believed. I have heard that, occasionally, a true Néjd has found its way into Africa, and then was guarded with more than usual care; so that among the Barbs brought over to this country there is, of course, the bare chance that a Néjd may have come; but I think the probability is against such a supposition. On the other hand, as something certain is known of the Darley Arabian, and the description of him—that he contained every requisite point without much show-indicates his being an Arabian, in whom there is so much hidden strength, such latent power, so many excellencies to be discovered upon more minute examination which tend to increase our admiration of him, we may well believe him to have been the most reliable source from whence our horse is descended.

In studying the appearance of the thoroughbred horse, to see how outward form would warrant the belief that he is of pure Arabian blood, 'the true son of Arabia without a drop of English blood in 'his veins,' which is considered to be the case by some, one is at a loss to understand how so great a change has taken place from his Arabian ancestry. Our climate is considered to give greater development, no expense has been spared, generous food has been supplied. Why, then, has he become higher on the leg and lighter? Why have his feet become smaller? Why is he of a flatter and more lathy frame? Why has the head, countenance, and expression been lost? and why are those greatest characteristics, the high quarter, full haunch, and the grand sweep of the tail not to be found? Why, with increase of stature, have not his joints, hocks, knees, and fetlocks increased in size and bone? Some of these features are seen, certainly, in different animals, but why are they not general, and to be seen together, in one and almost every individual? A beautiful head of the Arabian type is occasionally seen, and when that is remarkable other essential points are almost invariably wanting; but it may be safely asserted that the Arabian's quarter is not represented in any other horse. But looking at the English horse, as being imperfect in his breeding, the difference between them is easily accounted for.

It has struck me that the purest type of head, only rarely seen, appears more frequently among some of the descendants of Herod,

of the Byerly Turk's line; and I can only account for it by the fact, that Herod, through his dam, inherited so much of the Darley Arabian blood; and although shape and make are generally handed down in the male line from father to son, yet so superior was the blood of the Darley Arabian to that of the Byerly Turk, that the blood on the female side asserted its influence over the inferior blood on the male side, and left that mark, which shows itself from time to time.

CONCLUSION.

Although the Darley Arabian came of a very good family and his descendants are still to be had, yet better blood is to be found, and should be obtained, if we wish to establish a breed of horses of pure blood.

If not generally known, the following little account may prove interesting:

About two hundred years ago, owing to the increased population and the great increase of flocks and herds in Central Arabia, an exodus took place northwards. The first to appear in Syria were the Shomer, from Jebel Shomer. They were followed by some Anezah from Néjd, who continued to migrate until they pushed the Shomer into Mesopotamia. The former are the Shammar seen and described by Mr. Layard.

I have no doubt in my own mind that the Arab horses in India going under the names of Nejeds and Anezah are generally obtained from these tribes which have migrated. The horses coming from the Shammar being called Nejed, and those from the other tribes Anezah. But it must be remarked, that from these two sources few would get to India; horses taken there under the name of Arabs are frequently only Bagdad horses, often crossed with Kurdish and Persian blood, and altogether inferior. There must be some good blood in some of the Studs in Egypt, owing to the importation of Nejdean horses which took place when Ibrahim Basha brought his successful expedition against the Wahabees to a close; but most likely it has been modified by the admixture of the former stock in Egypt.

The best information and most certain accounts point to Nejed as the country where the best and purest Arabians are to be found, or, as Mr. Gifford Palgrave aptly says: Nejed is the true birthplace of the Arab steed, the primal type, the authentic model,'-the nursery which has sent forth, from time to time, pure blood to invigorate the degenerated breeds all over the world. Why should not we go to this fountain-head and draw from thence a stream that would enable us to establish the unrivalled breed of Arabia in this country?

It must be understood that in Nejed, besides the horses belonging to the ruling family of the Wahabees and the principal officers of the state, the chiefs of the nomadic tribes of Nejed are also possessed of horses; and although the blood is the same, it is to be considered

whether those bred in the studs of the resident population are better than those of the Bedouin population, or if the roving life and perpetual change, coupled with more exercise and harder work as enjoyed among the nomadic tribes, may not tend to develop greater excellencies.

It has been suggested in the earlier pages of this work, that Kahtan, the country in Central Arabia lying between Mecca in the west and Jebel Toweek in the east, part of the kingdom of Nejed, is identical with the settlement of Joktan, and his descendants from Mesha to Sephar. In Kahtan is a great tribe, the Seba'a, which name is identical with Sheba, one of Joktan's sons. It is worthy of remark, and interesting to know, that the first of the Ibn Sa'oods (the ruling family in Nejed) was a Sheikh of the Seba'a tribe.

THE CHRONICLES OF HEATHERTHORP.

X.-CRISP

TASTES THE SWEETS OF RIGHTEOUS RETRIBUTION; KATE AND SYLVIA LAY THEIR HEADS TOGETHER; BURROUGHES EXECUTES ANOTHER COMMISSION, AND THE DOCTOR RECEIVES A MYSTERIOUS PARCEL, AND FROM MISS PRISCILLA CARDMUMS-A BIT OF A DEVOUT YOUNG PERSON'S MIND.

The

MATTHEW CRISP felt somewhat dubious of the prudence of entrusting the handicapping for the match to the very flexible hands of Mr. Patrick Ryan, but since he saw no chance of mending the appointment of the horsedealer he abstained from discussing it-except with the faithful recipient of his confidences, Kelpie. But Crisp, as the reader has already discerned, greatly resembled the sailor's parrot. Habitually taciturn, he, withal, was a beggar to think.' result of his meditations scarcely favoured Mr. Ryan. Was it a fellow-feeling that made him so mighty suspicious? In his opinion, Ryan's conscience, like the major portion of the worthy dealer's household goods, chattels, stock-in-trade, faculties, and blarney, was a marketable commodity, at the service of the highest bidder, obviously, in this particular instance, at the service of any bidder. Although it would be monstrous to suppose Sir Harry Sursingle capable of stooping to any squaring tricks with the crafty Irishmanso Mat continued to chew the cud of his bitter fancy-it wasn't impossible for the Baronet to be 'sweet' one way or another about the match. How if he was fond of Woodridge's nag, eh? Ryan had all along set his heart on a deal with the Baronet. Thanks to

the administration of a copious and adroitly-mixed dose of what shall it be called?-Ryanesque, composed of one part business and three parts blarney, he had contrived to obtain an invitation to the Manor, for the purpose of showing the pair of hunters he was prepared to 'part with at a sacrifice.' Hearsay, in the person of Essom, averred