THE NATURAL FOOT EQUAL TO ITS TASK. 133 



bestowed upon it as upon the head or any other part. 

 It is small, light, and strong, and so adapted for 

 both power and speed. Is it possible that it can be 

 otherwise than fully adequate to the task of carrying, 

 not only the weight of the horse, but also that of his 

 rider ? Religion forbids the bare conception of such 

 an idea, which has not occurred to semi-civilised 

 tribes and nations, who find by practice that the 

 foot really is able to support successfully the very 

 severe toils to which they subject the horse. 



Not long ago, the writer heard a luminary of the 

 pulpit read from the Scripture : ' But they know 

 not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand 

 they his counsels. Arise and thresh, daughter of 

 Zion, and I will make thy horn iron, and thy hoofs 

 brass.' In the sermon of that day, the necessity of 

 faith was much insisted upon ; yet the preacher was 

 seen shortly after being drawn by a horse suffering 

 so badly from brittle hoof that parts of the shanks of 

 nails were visible in places where the horn had 

 chipped away. Where was his great faith when he 

 feared to trust the feet of his slave to the hands of 

 its Creator, who had entrusted him with the care 

 of it? 



The writer is no respecter of persons or titles 

 when on this subject, which does not allow him to 

 be so even if he felt inclined. Mr. Flower had to 

 appeal to all classes, and Mrs. Flower aided him by 

 addressing herself to the ladies, in his laudable 

 efforts to do away with the abuse of the bearing- 

 rein. In the ' Book of the Horse ' we find it said of 



