THE DOMESTIC HORSE. 193 



emulous, even generous ; forbearing, yet impetu- 

 ous ; with faculties susceptible of very considerable 

 education, and perceptions which catch the spirit 

 of man's intentions, lending his powers with the 

 utmost readiness, and restraining them with as ready 

 a compliance : saddled or in harness, labouring will- 

 ingly; enjoying the sports of the field and exulting 

 in the tumult of battle; used by mankind in the 

 most laudable and necessary operations, and often 

 the unconscious instrument of the most sanguinary 

 passions : applauded, cherished, then neglected, and 

 ultimately abandoned to the authority of bipeds, 

 who often show little superiority of reason and much 

 less of temper. One, who, like ourselves, has re- 

 peatedly owed life to the exertions of his horse, in 

 meeting a hostile shock, in swimming across streams, 

 and in passing on the edge of elevated precipices, 

 will feel with us, when contemplating the qualities 

 of this most valuable animal, emotions of gratitude 

 and affection, which others may not so readily ap- 

 preciate. 



Mohammed, in his pretended inspiration, speak- 

 ing of horses, makes the Almighty create them from 

 a condensation of the south-west wind, which is a 

 repetition of the Lusitanian fable ; but when he re- 

 presents the Deity saying, " Thou shalt be for man a 

 source of happiness and wealth ; thy back shall be a 

 seat of honour, and thy belly of riches : every grain 

 of barley given to thee shall purchase indulgence for 

 the sinner !" he knew what people he addi^ssed. * 



* This is clearly tlie language of a keen judge of the feelings 



K 



