supposed, that what he hath given to the Publick on this matter, cannot fall to be Excel∣lent; but because his Book is rare, and that people can but with difficulty procure 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as well because of the excessive Rate it is sold at, as because of the small number 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Coppies which were printed, and also that for a short Discourse, which is only use to such as have the Curiosity to keep a Breed, every one hath not the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 buying a large Volume, which treats of many curious things, proper for an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Master of Horses, but not so very useful for a privat Gentleman, I fancied I would 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Publick a piece of useful Service, if I presented it with what he writ upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Subject, as a thing both excellent in its kind, and also founded upon an Experience of many years.
John Tacquet hath writ pretty well of the method of raising a good Breed, where gives very good Remarks, taken from ancient Authors, such as Aristotle, Pliny, Z••••∣phon, &c. But that old Method is much improven of late, as you will see by wh•••• faithfully relate, from the Writings of the Duke of Newcastle upon this matter, wh•••• I shall exactly discover to you the true method he takes to instruct his Reader, ••••∣claring, that I don't in the least pretend to assume to my self the glory of what he h•• writ upon this Subject, lest I fall into the fault of a modern Author, who being •• cused of giving to the Publick, a Treatise taken Verbatim from another, without 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much as either mentioning the Authors Name, or the Title of the Book from where he Coppied it, would to excuse himself, have alledged, that I had done the very 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the Duke of Newcastle's Treatise of raising a breed of Horses; but the Reader 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I think, easily discern the difference there is, betwixt a mans ingenuously nameing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Author from whom he hath collected any thing, and attributing to him the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Honour of it, and his coppying a whole Treatise, word by word, without me••••∣oning its Author, that so he may assume the honour of it to himself, by making it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for his own; but to put a close to this digression.
The Duke of Newcastle beginneth with the choice of a good Stallion, as the founda∣tion of a good Race, and wherein many people fail, in so far as they neither enquire after those that are good and beautiful, but only such as are cheapest, without ever considering if they be either too old or too young; It is but to deceive ones self, to buy some old Jade that can do no more, for having waited four or five years in great expectation of the Colt which came of him, you will come at last to know that he is not worth his meat, because it stands a man as much to maintain a bad Horse as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 good; it is the loss of time, and maintenance of a Horse that are most considerable and by buying a bad Stallion, a man loseth both, whereas the Price of a good one ••∣ing once for all laid out, a man in a short time bringeth in his money again with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pleasure, and a great deal of profit, if not usury; and the truth of this hath been ••••∣ry well known of late, for our Invincible Monarch, whose care extends over all, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 caused distribute both good and beautiful Stallions, to all such parts where there is ••••••∣veniency for raising a Breed, that so having by this method plenished his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with good Horses, he might not be necessitate to send to Forreign Kingdoms for Hor∣ses, which could be easily enough bred up in France, provided they had but good S••••∣lions, of which he hath made a plentiful Provision.
For Example, there cometh yearly out of Low Bretagne, betwixt eight and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thousand pretty good Horses, but the best come from these three Bishopricks, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lion, and Cornoale, but of all Trigvier is the Chief Nursery, for people affirm that the•••• are in that one Bishoprick, upwards of 20000 Mares, you may then judge by this, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 if they had had good and beautiful Horses for Stallions, they would in place of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of such Horses as are only fit for Carriage and the Waggon, have a Race of Horse pr••∣per for the Wars, Hunting, and the Equipages of Princes, and from which private ••••••∣sons, as well as the Publick, would draw a considerable Advantage, and triple what 〈◊〉〈◊〉 have had till this present time.
But to come to the Choice of this Stallion, the Duke explains the different Co•••••• and Marks of Horses, and exclaims extreamly against all the Conjectures that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 commonly draw from them, making them all pass for a meer Foppery and gross ••••∣dity; however he advises to make choice of a Stallion and Stud-Mare, which are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 good Colour and well Marked, hereby approving, what he so much else where ••••∣demns, by restricting the only knowledge a man can have of a good Horse, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 riding of him frequently himself, and seeing him ride by another: It's true 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man would mightily deceive himself, should he, in buying a Stallion, meerly rely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on the Conjectures drawn from his Colour, and other good Marks, without 〈◊〉〈◊〉