SHOEING. 143 



versal benevolence, amidst his happy do- 

 mestics, enjoy^ the very anticipation of his 

 \Yishes in the cheerful services of a long list 

 of old 2ind faithful dependents. 



A contrast in character so exceedingly 

 common, that it may be found in almost 

 every parish in the kingdom, is perhaps 

 well worthy the attention of those who 

 may be at all interested in the description, 

 or their different effects. The constant ill 

 usage and violent abuse of horses, either 

 ti?nidy vicious, or refractory, under the hands 

 of the operator, is a matter of sufficient no- 

 toriety to every man who has had occasion 

 to superintend their practice ; such cruelties 

 require not to be sought after in remote cor- 

 ners by scrutinizing curiosity, they meet the 

 eye of the Traveller daily in the most 

 public situations. No judicious observer, no 

 old groom, ox young smith, need be reminded 

 what an infinity of fine and valuable horses 

 go through a tedious task of misery in re- 

 peated bleedings, mercurial purges, rowels, 

 /and course of alteratives, for defects or dis- 

 eases in the eyes, originating only in the 

 cruel hand and heavy hammer of the Smith, 



