262 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



never had horses in better condition in my life." 

 I am proud to think that my labours on this subject 

 have not been thrown away on so old a sportsman 

 as Lord Cleveland. 



Although in the progress of these letters I may 

 be again called upon to revert to the ill-effects of 

 turning out horses in the summer, I shall dismiss it 

 now with only one observation, which particularly 

 applies to the misconceived notion of a summer's run 

 giving rest to a horse. 



It is the idea of immortality that apologises for 

 our sorrows, and renders the present condition of 

 humanity in the smallest degree intelligible. The 

 sufferings of animals must ever remain a paradox ; 

 but here I had better put a finger on my lip — for I 

 believe we are told God gives no account of His conduct 

 to us children of men. However, that they are not 

 exempt from the general curse is too apparent to 

 admit of cavil ; and among their natural tormentors, 

 flies may be reckoned first.i 



I am not going to descant upon every species of 

 the fly, from the gnat which plays in the sunbeam to 

 the pestiferous zimb which depopulates countries, 

 and whose distant hum strikes terror into the rhino- 

 ceros and elephant, and makes them coat themselves 

 in mail ^ to resist him ; but simply of those well- 

 known insects which so unceasingly annoy our horses 



^ Virgil speaks of the moaning of cattle in a state of nature ; and 

 thus says St Paul : " For we know that the whole creation groaneth 

 in pain together until now." 



^ They roll themselves in mud and mire, which, when dry, coats 

 them over like armour. The prophet Isaiah speaks of this fly. 



