STABLE MANAGEMENT 263 



respectable; but a public-house with a bad reputa- 

 tion I would place out of bounds. But how can the 

 master know the character of a public-house? is a 

 question which I am often asked. I admit that in a 

 town it would be impossible for him to know, but in 

 a country village, where the character of every in- 

 habitant is common property, he should soon be able 

 to learn the characters of the public-houses, either 

 by observation through noting the class of people 

 which he sees loafing about the door as he passes, or 

 through information. Some masters absolutely for- 

 bid their grooms to enter any public-house, which 

 is merely placing a premium on deceit, besides 

 proving to the groom that you have no confidence in 

 his ability to withstand the temptation of getting 

 drunk. Of the two mistakes, I think the lesser is to 

 place too much confidence in your groom than to be 

 over-suspicious, for if he is an honest man he will 

 not abuse your confidence, while if you are over- 

 suspicious he will try to outwit you, and will very 

 often succeed. It is the old difference between the 

 schoolmaster who trusted to the honour of his pupils 

 and the schoolmaster who treated them as a jailor 

 would his prisoners. Nor do I see any reason why 

 a groom should not after working hours have a friend 

 in the saddle-room, though I know masters who will 

 not allow another man's groom in their stable yards. 

 Briefly, my moral is that if you want to keep a good 

 servant you should not place any undue restrictions 

 on his conduct outside working hours. 



