220 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



or myself could direct Mr Robson how to bring a race- 

 horse to the post ? 



There is one part of Q.'s letter which I do not ap- 

 prove of, and that is his motto — " Nugis addere 

 pondus." He must allow me to say — and I am sure 

 as a sportsman he will admit the justness of my obser- 

 vation — that nothing which tends to fit that noble 

 animal, the horse, for the severe, if not almost un- 

 justifiable exertions we put him to, and thereby 

 alleviate his sufferings, can come under the denomina- 

 tion of trifles. As the Poet says — 



" That heart is hard in nature, and unfit 

 For human fellowship, as being void 

 Of sympathy, and therefore dead alike 

 To love and friendship both, that is not pleased 

 With sight of animals enjoying life ; 

 Nor feels their happiness augment his own." 



Without applying these lines to Q., whose apostrophe 

 to his favourite old hunter rescues him from the charge, 

 too much importance cannot be attached to this 

 subject. For my own part, I almost adored the horse 

 before I could ride him. How much, then, must my 

 regard for him be increased in gratitude for all the 

 pleasure he has afforded me ! It grieves me to see 

 him abused : but abused he must be when ridden 

 after hounds, at the pace they now go, when he is 

 not in proper condition for the purpose — and how 

 few do we see that are so ! The horse is a generous 

 animal, and waits not to be asked whether he can do 

 what we require of him. He goes till he dies. But we 

 should not trespass on his generosity : no, we should 

 give him every assistance our reason, our judgment. 



