"Fossil remains," says Colonel Hamilton Smith in the twelfth volume of the Naturalist's Library, "of the horse have been found in nearly every part of the world. His teeth lie in the Polar ice along with the bones of the Siberian mammoth1; in the Himalaya mountains with lost, and but recently obtained, genera; in the caverns2 of Ireland; and, in one instance, from Barbary, completely fossilized. His bones, accompanied by those of the elephant, rhinoceros3, tiger, and hyæna, rest by thousands in the caves in Constadt; in Sevion at Argenteuil with those of the mastodon; in Val d'Arno and on the borders of the Rhine with colossal4 urus."
But what is most deserving of attention is that while all the other genera and species, found under the same conditions, have either ceased to exist, or have removed to higher temperatures, the horse alone has remained to the present time in the same regions, without, it would appear, any protracted5 interruption; fragments of his skeleton continuing to be traced upwards6, in successive8 formations, to the present surface of the earth—the land we live in.
In like manner in history, sacred, profane7, and modern, the horse is to be found omnipresent, sharing in the conquests, in the defeats, in the prosperity, in the adversity, in the joys, in the sorrows, in the occupations, and in the amusements of man.
In Genesis xlvii. 17, Moses records that the Egyptians (1729 years before Christ), at a time when the famine was sore in the land of Canaan, gave to Joseph their horses in exchange for bread.
Two hundred and thirty-eight years afterwards (1491 b.c.), six hundred chosen chariots for nobles and generals, all the war chariots of Egypt armed with iron to break the enemy's battalions8, the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh, in their pursuit of the children of Israel, were overthrown9 in the midst of the Red Sea, so that there remained not so much as one of them.—(Exodus, chap. xiv.)
"Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea."—Exodus, chap. xv.
The Canaanites whom Joshua engaged at the waters of Merom had cavalry10, and a multitude of chariots drawn11 by horses. Sisera, general of Jabin, King of Hazor, had 900 chariots of iron. Judah could not get possession of9 the lands because the ancient inhabitants of the country were strong in chariots of iron. The Philistines12, in their war against Saul, had 30,000 chariots and 6000 horsemen. David having taken 1000 chariots of war from Hadadezer, King of Syria, hamstrung the horses, and burned 900 chariots. During the latter periods of the Jewish monarchy13 Palestine abounded14 in horses.
In 1 Kings, chap, iv., it is stated that Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen.
Cyntacus, a King of Ethiopia, entered Egypt at the head of 100,000 cavalry; and from that period to Balaklava, and from it to the last battle in modern history, horses in greater or less numbers have shared in the dangers of war.
In many instances the history of an individual horse forms part and parcel of the history of his rider: accordingly we learn that Bucephalus (so called because his head resembled that of a bull, Βου κεφαλος), when thirty years old, saved the life of Alexander the Great, who, in remembrance, built a city which he called after his name.
We are, moreover, taught in our schools, that the Emperor C. Caligula, as an especial honour to his favourite horse, not only created him a high-priest and consul15, but caused him to live in marble apartments, in which he10 stalked about adorned16 with the most valuable trappings and pearls the Roman empire could supply.
In statuary, ancient as well as modern, the horse lives with his rider.
On the frieze17 of the Temple of Minerva, in the Acropolis of Athens, at Nineveh, and numerous other localities, are to be seen sculptured or painted, more or less beautifully, ancient figures of men on horseback.
In all the great cities of Europe the horse and his rider, or rather the rider and his horse, are ornaments18 deemed worthy19 to occupy conspicuous20 positions in the most important thoroughfares. Accordingly in London, within a few hundred yards of each other, are to be seen equestrian21 statues of Kings Charles I., William III., George III., and George IV.
Mounted on one charger, the Duke of Wellington in his cocked hat and feathers, military cloak, sword, pistols and spurs, in all weathers, rides triumphantly22 on the summit of an arch at the western end of London, while, at the same moment, in pantaloons and shoes, without hat, stirrups, or spurs, mounted on another charger, he appears, as a sentinel, in front of the Bank of England, the commercial heart of the empire.
Among the great potentates23 of the earth, the coin that is most currently used, in proffers24 to each other of amity25 and friendship, is a horse. And accordingly, the11 Beys of Tunis, of Algiers, and Egypt; every sovereign in Europe, including the Czar of Russia, and the Sultan of the Turks; the Emperor of Morocco, the Kings of Persia and Abyssinia, and other rulers of smaller name, have transmitted to the Queen of Great Britain, with due compliments, specimens26 of their finest horses.
In the Life of Bruce, the Abyssinian traveller, it is recorded that Fasil, after having assembled the leaders of the Galla tribes, said to the noble Briton, "Now, before all these men, ask me any thing you have at heart, and be it what it may, they know I cannot deny it to you!" Bruce, of course, asked to be conducted immediately to the head of the Nile. Fasil then turned to his seven chiefs, who got up. They all stood round in a circle and raised the palms of their hands, while he and the Galla with great apparent devotion repeated together a prayer, about a minute long. "Now," says Fasil, "go in peace: you are a Galla. This is a curse upon them and their children, their corn, grass, and cattle, if ever they lift their hand against you or yours, or do not defend you to the utmost, if attacked by others." Upon this, Bruce offered to kiss his hand, and they all went to the door of the tent, where there stood a very handsome grey horse. "Take this horse," said Fasil, "as a present from me. But do not mount it yourself. Drive it before you, saddled and bridled12 as it is. No man of Maitsha will touch you when he sees that horse,"—which proved a magician that led him towards his object—an Ægis that shielded him on his way.
In like manner to the people of France, the 'Moniteur' has just officially made the two following announcements:—
"Algiers, 19th September, 1860.
"The Emperor and Empress yesterday morning laid the first stone of the fine boulevard which is to run along the shore. An immense concourse of persons, both French and native, were collected, eager to see their Majesties27, and the ceremony displayed a most picturesque28 character. Under the skilful29 direction of General Jusuf, contingents30 of the Kabyle infantry31 and cavalry of the three provinces, with all the Aghas and Caids at their head, had been assembled to come and pay homage32 to the Emperor. After a sham33 fight between the different tribes a grand fantasia took place by from 9000 to 10,000 horsemen rushing forward at the swiftest gallop34, and discharging their firearms before their Majesties' tent; afterwards a magnificent charge was given by twelve squadrons of Spahis, crossing the plain like a hurricane; then followed tilting35 matches, gazelle, ostrich36, and falcon37 hunts; a grand filing-off of the Touaregs, with their faces veiled, and mounted on their camels; and of the Chambaas, those inhabitants of the depths of the Desert, and the future carriers of French commerce into the Soudan. After, in short, one of the most splendid spectacles that could be imagined, all the Goums, forming an immense line of battle, advanced majestically38, with banners displayed and muskets39 held high in the air, towards the eminence40 on which the Emperor's tent had been pitched. The chiefs, clad in the richest burnous, alighted from their steeds and came in a body to present the horse of homage, caparisoned with gold, and thus perform an act of submission41 to the Sovereign of France. At this moment, rendered 13solemn by the beauty of the scene and the warlike appearance of the various tribes whose long resistance has given glory to the French arms, the Emperor could not prevent himself from giving way to visible emotion. The Bey of Tunis was present at this grand solemnity."
"Paris, 28th September, 1860.
"General Count Pierre Schouvaloff, Grand Master of Police at St. Petersburg, and his brother, Count Paul Schouvaloff, both aides-de-camp to the Emperor of Russia, were received the day before yesterday by the Emperor Napoleon, and had the honour of presenting to his Majesty42 four horses, sent as a present by the Emperor Alexander. These fine animals, which have been accompanied to Paris by a veterinary surgeon, four hussars, and a non-commissioned officer of the Imperial Guard, are of the celebrated43 Orloff race, and come from the Imperial breeding stud at Chrenovsky. They were selected from among a great number by the Czar himself; and during the two mouths that their journey from the very heart of Russia has occupied, they have been the objects of the greatest care. His Majesty greatly admired the beauty, strength, and symmetry of the horses, and expressed to the Counts Schouvaloff how gratified he felt at a mark of attention which showed the friendly relations existing between the two Sovereigns."
In war, the value of these noble animals to man is well described by Shakspeare's thrilling exclamation44 of King Richard—
"A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!"
In like manner, in civil life, how often has the schoolboy, who in his infancy45 had clutched with ecstasy46 his toy—a little spotted47 horse on wheels—felt that he would give his birthright for a pony48!
14
On his arriving at Oxford49 or Cambridge, how often has the undergraduate, for the professed50 purposes of application and recreation, submitted to his parents or guardians51 a supplication52 for those three stereotyped53 wants of college life, "a little money, a private tutor, and a horse!" Afterwards, in his manhood, and even in his old age, how often has the Prime Minister of England, during a most important debate, risen from his seat in Parliament to propose to the legion of senators around him "that this House shall adjourn54 from Tuesday to Thursday," for the well known object (acknowledged by "loud and protracted cheering") of enabling himself, those who surround him, and everybody else, "to go to the Derby," to purchase "Dorling's correct card of the names of the horses, and the colours of their riders!"
Among our leading statesmen, how many, as patrons of the turf, have purchased for several thousand guineas—a horse! How many, including Pitt, Fox, Lord Althorp, Lord Derby, Lord Palmerston, Sir Francis Burdett, &c., &c., have been ardent55 followers56 of hounds!
Her Majesty Queen Victoria and the Emperor Napoleon III. each keep a pack of stag-hounds; the Prince Consort57, a pack of harriers. During the Peninsular war, and again while commanding the army of occupation in France, the Duke of Wellington, besides fighting and writing,15 maintained either a pack of fox-hounds or boar-hounds.[A] George III. was strongly attached to hunting; his great grandson, the Prince of Wales, "loves it better still."
In all our streets, in our fields, in our highways and bye-ways, along the surface of merry England, and across it; under ground in coal-mines; revolving58 in a mill;—in short, in every direction, and wherever we go, we see before us—sometimes as man's companion, sometimes as his servant, sometimes as his slave, and occasionally as his master—the horse, respecting which and his rider we will now, without further preamble59, venture to offer to our readers the few following remarks.
[A]About 44 years ago a Frenchwoman, the proprietor60 of a small farm, showed us, as a great curiosity, a "billet de logement" which had been inflicted61 upon her, of which the following is a translated copy:—
"The widow —— will lodge62 for one night fifty-four dogs." [The Duke of Wellington's hounds just arrived from England.]
(Signed) ——,
"Mayor."
"Imaginez-vous donc," exclaimed the poor old lady, uplifting her eyes and the palms of both hands; "Imaginez-vous donc—cinquante-quatre chiens!!"
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1
mammoth
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| n.长毛象；adj.长毛象似的，巨大的 | |
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2
caverns
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| 大山洞，大洞穴( cavern的名词复数 ) | |
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3
rhinoceros
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| n.犀牛 | |
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colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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6
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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profane
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| adj.亵神的，亵渎的；vt.亵渎，玷污 | |
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8
battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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9
overthrown
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| adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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11
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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12
philistines
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| n.市侩，庸人( philistine的名词复数 )；庸夫俗子 | |
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13
monarchy
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| n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国 | |
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14
abounded
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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15
consul
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| n.领事；执政官 | |
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16
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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17
frieze
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| n.(墙上的)横饰带，雕带 | |
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18
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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19
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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equestrian
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| adj.骑马的；n.马术 | |
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triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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potentates
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| n.君主，统治者( potentate的名词复数 )；有权势的人 | |
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proffers
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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25
amity
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| n.友好关系 | |
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specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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majesties
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| n.雄伟( majesty的名词复数 )；庄严；陛下；王权 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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contingents
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| （志趣相投、尤指来自同一地方的）一组与会者( contingent的名词复数 )； 代表团； （军队的）分遣队； 小分队 | |
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31
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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32
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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33
sham
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| n./adj.假冒(的)，虚伪(的) | |
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gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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tilting
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| 倾斜，倾卸 | |
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ostrich
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| n.鸵鸟 | |
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falcon
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| n.隼，猎鹰 | |
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majestically
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| 雄伟地； 庄重地； 威严地； 崇高地 | |
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muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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40
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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41
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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42
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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43
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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44
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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45
infancy
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| n.婴儿期；幼年期；初期 | |
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46
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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47
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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48
pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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49
Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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50
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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51
guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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52
supplication
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| n.恳求，祈愿，哀求 | |
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53
stereotyped
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| adj.(指形象、思想、人物等)模式化的 | |
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54
adjourn
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| v.（使）休会，（使）休庭 | |
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55
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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56
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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57
consort
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| v.相伴；结交 | |
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58
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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59
preamble
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| n.前言；序文 | |
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60
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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61
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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