FEEDING. 31 



truths demoni^trales, to an indisputable cer- 

 tainty, the acknowledged preference oisprmg-- 

 grass in the field ; or sweet oats, sound beans, 

 2l\\A fragrant hay, in the stable, to every other 

 article that imagination can invent or no- 

 ^^elty supply. 



ilnd here it becomes unavoidably neces- 

 sary to introduce a circumstance that con- 

 stantly occurs in the course of observation ; 

 at least to those who, entering a multiplicity 

 of stables, wish to enlarge their information 

 or exercise their judgment. IIow very com- 

 mon is it to find a consultation held upon 

 the appearance of a favourite horse, who, to 

 the surprize of the parties, loses flesh, be- 

 comes dull and heavy in the stable, languid 

 in action, sickly in coat, and foul in excre- 

 ment, doomed to a course oi purgatives, then 

 diuretics ; and, lastly, a tedious administration 

 oi alteratives, as sickly and unsound ! And 

 all for what ? — because the poor emaciated 

 animal, being destitute of the powers of 

 speech, could not better inform his perse- 

 cutors, than by his eihphatical and misinter- 

 preted looks, tirat his hay was mustij, and 

 consequL'ntiy laying the foundation of man)' 



