preserved them unchanged, which ordained the plan of the Ark and the scheme for replenishing the earth, have ordered and directed the horse into Arabia, to a climate and soil peculiarly adapted to him and to the retention of his primal beauty, vigour, and attributes, under charge of a people who have themselves withstood the changes of the world, to be preserved from all the causes tending to deterioration and degeneracy? Is it not more reasonable to believe that by these means the horse has been preserved very nearly in his original perfection, than that he should have been bred up from a poor miserable animal such as is seen in the highlands of Central Asia, and showing very little of the true character of the horse. 'Facilis descensus Averni' is a very true saying, but it is indeed a difficult thing to ascend and to bring back qualities that have been lost. Besides, we have the most sure warranty that the horse, as all other things, was created perfect; and he, as others, was pronounced to be 'very good.' This truth seems either to be forgotten or overlooked when people talk about improving upon any original species. Do they think man by his skill could breed a better lion or tiger? Has the skill of man during four thousand years succeeded in arriving at so perfect a form or model as the Arabian horse? A most important part has the Arabian horse already played in improving and invigorating the various degenerate breeds of horses scattered over the whole earth, but none have attained unto his perfection; and there may be yet work in store for him.

There are numerous instances mentioned of the horse leaving Arabia for other parts of the world, but no account of his having been imported into that country as an unknown animal, subsequently to the dispersion from Babel. The original inhabitants of Arabia, the sons of Joktan or Kahtan, founded kingdoms and built cities. Yarab, one son, had the province of Yemen, and another son, Jorham, became King of Hejaz. His posterity continued to reign as kings until the time of Ishmael, when either the Ketanic princes were expelled, or the two peoples became one by intermarriage. At this period the kingly rule was changed, in a great measure at all events, for the patriarchal, as among the Bedouin of the present day. Yet in the days of Moses the Ishmaelites were possessed of castles and towns, and towns of considerable extent with castles and palaces are still numerous in Arabia. All Arabs are not Bedouin.' Arabia, having been cut off from neighbouring countries where not separated by sea, by a girdle of desert, and by outposts of watchful Bedouin, has preserved its breed of horses as well as its independence, and has never been thoroughly subjugated by any.

It has been stated that celebrated as Persian horses afterwards became, there were very few of them, and those inferior until the time of Cyrus; and he greatly encouraged the breeding of horses. It is very probable

A high state of civilisation was enjoyed by the early Arabians—perhaps that of the antediluvian world; for some of the works of Abd-Shems, the great-grandson of Joktan, still remain, and are perhaps capable of restoration.

that Arabian blood was used by Cyrus for that purpose, and that the Arabian then first became the means of establishing the reputation of the Persian horse, as very many centuries later he made that of the English. In the reign of Neriglissar, King of Babylon, who succeeded Evil-Merodach, and preceded Nabonadius or Belshazzar, there was war between the Babylonians and Persians; Neriglissar was at the head of 20,000 cavalry, with infantry in proportion, and had numerous contingents from other powers. Among these it is mentioned in history that Marogdas the Arabian conducted 10,000 horse. Neriglissar and his allies were totally defeated by Cyrus. It is probable the conqueror was struck with the horses of the Arab contingent, and some, besides, may have fallen into his hands. Arabia may have supplied Babylon also with horses, although doubtless degeneracy had taken place, owing to the use of chariots; and about eighteen years later, when Cyrus besieged and took Babylon, he would have the opportunity of passing them over into Persia, besides, perhaps, of opening some communication with the Arabs.

What was the occupation or calling of Jonadab, the son of Rechab (the son of the rider), who was not of the children of Israel, and how came he to be the friend of Jehu? It is possible and quite consistent to presume he was the medium in those days of horses being passed from Arabia into Palestine, as they are at the present day into India. In other words, it is very likely Jonadab was the merchant of the day who provided Arab horses

And

for Joram's Court and the officers of his army. who more likely than such an one to be the friend and welcomed companion of the fierce and impetuous Jehu, who rode after Ahab, and was well known for his furious driving? The father of Rechab may have performed like services for King Solomon. The Rechabites were Midianites, descended from Abraham and Keturah, and some imagine from that family of Midianites whose forefather was Hohab, brother-in-law to Moses, and dwelt among the Israelites; but in the time of Jeremiah, as the house of the Rechabites went up to Jerusalem only from fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and as they were forbidden to live in houses, to plant, or sow, they evidently were to some extent nomads. Be that as it may, they were Midianites, and these were very early associated and fused with the Ishmaelites, also descended from Abraham, who were intermingled with the ancient Arabians of Ketanic race. That the Midianites were mingled with the Ishmaelites is gathered from the facts mentioned in Genesis. The merchants trading with Egypt in the days of Jacob, and to whom his brethren sold Joseph for twenty pieces of silver, are sometimes described as Midianites, and at others Ishmaelites; although in those days associated, and to some extent one people, it is possible the Ishmaelites were more addicted to wandering and predatory habits, and the Midianites to trading. The former being the first to be associated with the Arabs might have opportunities of acquiring Arab horses; and their kinsmen, the Midianites, being traders, passed them off into

K

Egypt; which is not at all an improbable means of the horse being taken into Egypt. If the Ishmaelites, in any of the predatory raids, captured horses, they might be glad of such a ready market for them as Egypt. I don't want to insist upon this view, but the Midianite merchants evidently were in the habit of trading with Egypt before the horse is first mentioned. Whether the horse was taken from Arabia into Egypt or originally taken there by Mizraim, it is a country in which the horse would degenerate, and become of larger and heavier build; thus more adapted for harness and chariot work, and another reason why King Solomon should obtain horses from Egypt besides the easy access and his peculiar affinity for that country. The Hebrews had two different words for the horse, one to denote the chariot, the other the riding horse; the former horse was much heavier and larger.

APPENDIX TO THE FIRST CHAPTER.

The causes of degeneracy among horses in other countries than ArabiaThe external changes which would ensue-The Arabian still a distinct breed-Additional reason why Arabia was the habitat of the horse.

WHETHER it be supposed or admitted that there were other breeds, or, rather, that the horse was domesticated by several families of mankind about the same time, or whether the horse immediately found his way into Arabia after the Flood, and from thence the race was distributed over the earth, it may be well to show causes that may have produced degeneracy.

The following appear to be some of the most probable :