( 257 ) 



it may be called fuch) in fafhion, both in the 

 army, and in carriages. The abfurdity how- 

 ever of this total amputation began to appear. 

 The gentlemen of the army led the way. 

 They acknowledged the beauty, and ufe of 

 the tail, as nature made it. The Jhort dock 

 every where difappeared ; and all dragoon- 

 horfes now parade with long tails. 



The nag-tail however frill continued in ufe. 

 Of this there are feveral fpecies, all more or 

 lefs mutilated. The moft unnatural is the 

 nicked-tail; fo named from a cruel operation 

 ufed in forming it. The under finews of the 

 dock being divided, the tail ftarts upwards, 

 direclly contrary to the pofition, which nature 

 intended. The nag-tail is ftill feen in all 

 genteel carriages. Nor will any perfon of 

 fafhion ride a horfe without one. Even 

 the gentlemen of the army, who have fhewn 

 the moft fenfe in the affair of horfe-tails, have 

 been fo mifled, as to introduce the nag-tail 

 into the light-dragoons; tho it would be as 

 difficult to give a reafon now for the nag-tail, 

 as formerly for the Jhort -dock. 



Two things are urged in defence of this 

 cruel mutilation the utility, and the beauty 

 of it. Let us briefly as poffible, examine both. 



VOL. ii. s To 



