The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-12-30
HORSE HISTORY.

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regarded as a beast of burden, but rather
ranked among the champions of nations.
As such the poets sang of him, and scrip
ture only records one or two instances
where he was subjected to servile service.
The cavalry of the Assyrans was regard
ed rs the most formidable branch of their
service. Solomon had, in his own stalls,
forty thousand chariot horses, and his
traffic in fine stock of this kind was extern
| sive, he purchasing from the Egyptians
and selling largely to the lIittites and kings
of Syria. The value of fine horses at that
period averaged Zone hundred and fifty
shekels of silver each, OF about one hun
dred dollars. This was held as price OF
no inconsiderable proportions, which COM
handed the best material to be had in the
form of high-bred and spirited animals.
1t is believed that horses were introduced
into Egypt by the shepherd kings, about
the time of Abraham. The most ancient
Egyptian sculptures bear no traces of them.
The Greeks were passionate admirers of
fine and swift horses, and racing was 4
favorite pastime with them. Homer says
of Achilles that, above the rest of the
Greeks he was renowned for horse and
chariot racing. Thessaly, his native coun-
try, was famed for wealth, civilization, and
horsemanship, long before Homer's time.
The people of Thessaly were probably the
first among the Greeks at least who ac-
quired any skill as equestrians, and adapted
the horse to the purposes of warfare
Whence arose the fable that Thessaly was
originally inhabited by centaurs.
The "Olympic games" of the Greeks,
in which feats in horsemanship and chariot
racing formed the leading attraction, were
attended by the kings and highest classes
from all parts of Greece and neighboring
countries, ard the interest manifested alike
by all, equaled any popular sensation of
our day. Indeed, the games of Olympia
formed a period in Greek history upon
which their whole chronology rested, and
from which period all other leading events
were dated.
The horse occurs on some standards and
coins of past periods as well as at the pres
ent day. On the coins of the Hindoos, of
Bactria and Ceylon, and those of the Sax
kings of Luvashtra, he is conspicuous.
Osan describes the standard Of the kings
and chiefs of clans, in early English times,
when the kings standard bore the figure
of a white horse.
England owes to Arabia the possession
of her improved and now unrivaled breed
of horses, adapted for the turf, field, and
road. The Arabian horses are divided into
two great branches; the KadiscL, whose
descent is unknown, and the Kochlaim, of
whom written genealogy has been kept
for two thousand years. The latter class
are held exclusively as riding horses, and
are valued at high rates. They are said to
have originated from King Solomon studs,
and their power of endurance are marvel
Gus, being able to encounter the most try
ing fatigues, and to endure the sevelest
privations of food. They are also spoken
of as exhibiting uncommon courage in the
face of the enemy in battle, and the degree
of intelli ,yrnce they manifest on such Occa-
sions is ,;nly striking. Often when his
rider has fallen in battle, the noble steed
has carefully watched beside him until
assistance has arrived, frequently neighing
to attract attention to the spot.
The l.. chlaim are neither large nor
handsome, but amazingly swift. The
whole race is divided into several families
each of which has its proper name. Some
of these lave higher reputation than
others, on account of their ancient and
uncontauinated nobility.
In England there are two millions of
draught aud pleasure horses, besides one
hundred thousand agricultural horses
English history records that out Of every
thirty colts from thorough bred stock, but
one proves extra fast. A horse whose ped
igree is eight generations in duration with
out any base admixture, is considered
thorough bred.
The number of horses in Russia is great
er in proportion to the population than it
is in the greatest horse region of this
country, which is Kentucky. Russia has
one horse to every three persons, while
Kentucky has one horse to about four and
a half of its population.
Historical records show that up to 1852
there were no horses in New England, and
their introduction into New Netherlands,
now New York, occurred during the ad-
ministrasion of Gov. Won Twiller, in
1G33-'3S. Trumbulfs History of Connec-
ticut mentions the horse rs accompanying
emigrants from Massachusetts to that State,
Oct. 18th, 1896. The first horse seen in
Canada was brought to that country from
France in ship which arrived at Tadous-
sac, June Goth, 1647.
1t is estimated that there are now in this
country eight millions Of horses, valued at
between two and three thousand millions
of dollars "a sum ample to pay the national
debit The highest price recorded as act
ually paid for any one horse was $4,000;
though it is said that $150,00O would not
have bought "Gladiateur" at his meridian
In this country Lexington " sold for $751;
600, and one of his colts has since sold for
$4,000 while $4,000 was refused for
another.
"Mambrino Pilot" has tempted the
offer of $50, 900 without success, and clam
betonian," whose death at an advanced
age was recently announced, commanded
100000 short time before. Dexter
brought $4,000 There are some seventy
thousand herses in this country, says
McClure's recent work, worth from So, 600
to 500 each. A recent estimate has
fixed the probable valuation of horses in
New York City, embracing all classes at
$2,000,O00.
THE YORK (PA.) FIRE INSURANCE Co.
is one of the best Companies III the country.
Risks taken from one to three years. at
rates according to the quality of the ha2arst.
D,vmant Of nsSns aa ,,rpp,ptlv Nyithnut