188 THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 



ployed as ostlers and helpers, are, of all servants, 

 those who require the most vigilant surveillance on 

 the subject of cleanliness. 



These remarks are however only partially useful 

 to the individual who keeps a single horse, or only a 

 pair for occasional use. He must take his stable as 

 he finds it ; but even in his case much may be done 

 by personal attention, to keep it in an airy, dry, and 

 comfortable state. His first duty should be to insist 

 rigorously on cleanliness. Whenever he enters he 

 should notice whether everything is in its proper 

 place ; he should allow of no manure being piled up 

 in corners ; no dark receptacles for old brushes, pots 

 of oil and pots of porter ; no broken halters here, 

 and disabled pitchforks there. If the smell is pun- 

 gent and ofi"ensive, severe reproof should follow ; for 

 it is clear that the manure has been allowed to accu- 

 mulate, though, in expectation perhaps of his period- 

 ical inspection, the floor appears clean and tidy. 

 When the horse is absent at his work, the groom 

 should be required to make a thorough lustration ; 

 and where the absence is expected to exceed the 

 night, the opportunity should be taken of washing 

 out every part with water, and scouring the rack and 



