From the March 1864 issue of the Sporting Magazine, Vol 43, pp. 179f.. This magazine was identical in content with the Sporting Review, hence the differing references for this letter in later sources. The anonymous Scotch gentleman has sometimes been identified as John Johnstone; his correspondent, the author of the letter, is almost certainly James Henry Skene, the British Consul at Aleppo, as it contains the quote attributed to him about “blood and stride in the desert”. The following very admirable letter from Aleppo has been handed to us by a Scotch gentleman, who has just imported two Arab mares by way of an experiment: “I have just received your letter of the 10th inst., and reply to it at once. “I have made five experiments in horses here— “1st. Out of thorough-bred English mares, by Arab stallions. “2nd. Out of the best Arab mares, by thorough-bred English horses. “3rd. Rearing the best Arab blood on succulent forage, as in England. “4th. Rearing thorough-bred English stock in the Desert, on dry food. “5th. Buying colts and fillies superior to those usually sold by the Arabs. “The first experiment has led to no great results, the produce being merely handsomer than English horses, without being…