is closer to the ground, and should be particularly good about the loins and hocks.^[1]

His breaking begins later than that of the thorough-bred. He is taken up at about three-and-a-half years old, and requires a year or eighteen months to learn his work.^[2]

In judging him, we should specially consider his style of jumping different fences, and the pace at which he takes them. If the obstacle is a hedge, he should take it quietly, on account of the small effort required to clear it. If it is high and stiff he should collect himself for a big effort, and should go very straight and steadily at it. If it is a fairly wide stream, the pace should be quite different, and the head and neck, which should not be hampered by the hands, should be extended. The horse should stretch himself out, should take a light but very free bearing on the hands, and jump at full speed with freedom and pleasure.

The only fault an English hunter has, is that he costs a great deal of money. Usually one pays about three hundred pounds for a good animal of this sort ; but in exceptional cases, the price may be five or six hundred. I repeat that this kind of horse is the only animal which is fit to hunt anywhere.

In every country, except in England, it is generally thought that as accidents are very common in hunting, only cheap horses should be used for this work. All my readers know from experience that in buying a horse, they cannot be sure of getting value for their money. Therefore I think it very foolish to practise economy when buying a hunter. The English, who are very practical, and who know the value of