194 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



human frame, so much esteemed in the warmer 

 countries previous to the wearing of linen. The 

 ancients had an instrument which they called a 

 " strigil," which they employed for this purpose ; and 

 to which Persius alludes when speaking of the Roman 

 baths — 



" I puer, et strigiles Crispini ad balnea defer." 



The dust in horses' skins, though it may be called 

 an extraneous matter, secreted by the vessels of the 

 skin, has, no doubt, its use in keeping the animal 

 warm, and affording nourishment to the roots of the 

 coat. Sweating, with the vigorous application of 

 the brush, will alone remove it ; and for this reason 

 the use of the brush should be very limited during 

 the moulting season. Among the many advantages 

 of keeping hunters in the house in the summer, may 

 be reckoned that of their changing their coats sooner, 

 and, consequently, being better prepared to meet 

 the cold weather when it comes. 



The late punishing times have enforced economy 

 upon most people ; and all good judges have given 

 up the use of body-clothes and breast-plates in the 

 stable, and only use them at exercise, where they are 

 necessary, in the winter, to prevent their clothes 

 blowing back when meeting the wind. A sort of 

 blanket is now used, which is manufactured in the 

 North of England, and is very warm and comfortable 

 and comparatively of trifling cost. If I had all the 

 money now before me which I have expended in body- 

 clothes, it would purchase me a good hunter — for 

 they are soon demolished if horses sleep in them. 



