178 HORSES AND ROADS. 



bigger than those of donkeys those that nm on 

 some tramways. Light as they are, they are strong 

 and powerful ; and the only advantage which could 

 ever be expected from them lay in the lightness of 

 their frame, legs, and feet, which would give them a 

 pull over heavy horses, if we may assume that they 

 would not batter their feet and legs to pieces on the 

 hard stone pavement since they run upon nothing 

 else. For a mule requires more feed than a horse, 

 taking him hands for hands, and equal mileage, 

 load, and speed ; and this the tramway companies 

 will find out ere long, if they keep satisfactory 

 records of each and all. 



These mules have no weight or load to keep back. 

 They cannot have any, as it is done for them by a 

 brake on the car, which is powerful enough to stop 

 the whole concern, mules and all, in the traject of a 

 few feet; neither have they any weight to carry, 

 beyond that of the collar, traces, and bridle ; there 

 is not even a pole to the cars, so they have nothing 

 to do but to pull. Yet they are shod, especially 

 behind, in an outrageous manner, with shoes that 

 are extra long, and are, besides, calked! What 

 ghost of a reason is there for calks on animals thus 

 employed ? Calks are only a clumsy, ignorant, and 

 utterly unsuccessful substitution for a brake on the 

 wheels. The tramcars have the brake, and even if 

 they had not, calks will not help an animal to pull 

 up upon pavement. They may do so upon country 

 roads, but only with prejudice to the animal's limbs. 

 Hear Mr. Fearnley upon this subject ; and lay 



