i6o Fotir-in-Hand in Britain. 



thought the real sense of ownership must be sweeter 

 from the thousands of his fellows whom we saw rejoic- 

 ing within it than if he were indeed the lordly owner in 

 fee and rented it for revenue. This whole subject of 

 meum and tuum needs reconsideration. If Burns, when 

 he held his plough in joy upon the mountain-side and 

 saw what he saw, felt what he felt, was not more truly 

 the real possessor of the land than the reputed nominal 

 landlord, then I do not grasp the subject. There are 

 woeful blunders made as to the ownership of things. 

 Who owns the treasures of the Sunderland or Hamilton 

 hbraries ? and who will shed the tears over their disper- 

 sion, think you, chief mourner by virtue of deepest loss, 

 the titled dis-graces, in whose names they stand, or the 

 learned librarian whose days have been spent in holy 

 companionship with them? It is he who has made 

 them his own, drawn them from their miserable owners 

 into his heart. I tell you a man cannot be the real 

 owner of a library or a picture gallery without a title 

 from a much higher tribunal than the law. Nor a horse 

 either, for that matter. Who owns your favorite horse? 

 Test it ! I say the groom does. Call Habeeb or Rod- 

 erick. So slow their response ! I won't admit they 

 don't know and like me too. John knows my weakness 

 and stands out of sight and lets me succeed slowly with 

 them ; but after that, see at one word from him how 

 they prick up their ears and neigh, dance in their boxes, 

 push their grand heads under his arm, and say as plainly 



