HUNTING THE WILD HORSE. 



349 



HUNTING THE WILD HORSE. 



The Horse in a domestic state is a bold and fiery animal ; 

 equally intrepid as his master, he faces danger and death with 

 ardor and magnanimity. He delights in the noise and tumult 

 of arms, and seems to feel the glory of victory : he exults in 

 the chase ; his eyes sparkle with emulation in the course, f'ut 

 though bold and intrepid, he is docile and tractable ; he knows 

 how to govern and check the natural vivacity and fire of his temper. 

 He not only yields to the hand, but seems to consult the inclination 

 of his rider. Constantly obedient to the impressions he receives, 

 his motions are entirely regulated by the will of his master. lit 

 in some measure resigns his very existence to the pleasure of num. 

 He delivers up his whole powers; he -reserves nothing ; hi will 

 rather die than disobey. Who could endure to see a character so 

 noble abused ! who could be guilty of such gross barbarity ! This 

 character, though natural to the animal, is in some measure the 

 effect of education. His education commences with the loss of 

 liberty, and is finished by constraint. The slavery of the horse is 

 so ancient and so universal, that he is but rarely seen in the 

 natural state. Several ancient writers talk of wild horses, unf) 



