41 8 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



to be wondered at, that the poor animal should ex- 

 hibit a character of stupidity and dullness? It is 

 chiefly in Britain that this valuable animal is treated 

 with barbarity, and is a disgrace to our national 

 character. Cruel treatment to any animal should be 

 punished with the utmost severity by the legislature ; 

 for although the Almighty has given man dominion 

 over the beasts of the field, yet the All-wise could 

 never intend man to tyrannise over the poor, helpless 

 creatures which have feelings equal to his own, and 

 gratitude far surpassing the lords of the creation, 

 when properly treated. 



In Eastern and mountainous countries, the ass is 

 held in high estimation, and is treated with that care 

 which he so justly merits. In mountain tracts his 

 services are invaluable in transporting travellers and 

 their baggage where the horse is of no use. In 

 Aleppo there is a large and handsome breed, and 

 in Persia also, where they sell for seventy-five ducats 

 to one hundred crowns. 



THE MULE. 



It is a matter of surprise that mules are not more 

 bred in this country, as their action is much more 

 agreeable than that of the horse ; and they are also 

 more hardy in their nature. It is not known when 

 mules were first bred. The first mention of them 

 in the sacred writings is 1 740 years before the Christian 

 era. In the book of Genesis it is said, " This was 

 that same Anah that found mules in the wilderness 

 as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father." It is a dis- 

 puted point whether he was the first breeder of them : 

 Aristotle and Pliny are of opinion that he was. How- 

 ever this may be, mules do not appear to have become 



