70 LETTER XIII. 



most stately and spirited, the ass the most patient; 

 and .the zebra the most beautiful, although the wildest 

 quadruped that nature has produced. 



THE XEKRA, 



In shape, has a resemblance to the mule ; for it is 

 less than the horse, and larger than the ass ; but it is 

 chiefly prized for the exquisite beauty of its skin, the 

 smoothness of which nothing can surpass. Nor can 

 any thing exceed the beautiful regularity of its co- 

 lours, which in the male are white and brown, and in 

 the female w hite and black, ranged in alternate stripes 

 over the w hole body, in a stile so beautiful and orna- 

 mental, that it might, at the first sight, seem the effect 

 of the most exquisite art, rather than the genuine 

 production of nature. The head is adorned with 

 beautiful and regular stripes, which converge into a 

 central point in the forehead; the neck is ornamented 

 in the same manner, with fine rings which surround 

 it : the thighs, legs, and even the very tail, is beau- 

 tified in the same stile of elegance ; and every part 

 is equally decorated. What is particularly remark- 

 able in the colouring of the zebra is^ that the stripes, 

 which constitute its peculiar ornament, are disposed 

 with such exactness of distance, that the most consum- 

 mate artist could not draw lines with more perfect 

 regularity. It seems as if, in the adorning of this ex- 

 traordinary animal, the Creator had given the com- 

 mand to Nature, to display her utmost skill, and in 

 the formation of its stripes, to bid defiance to the line 

 and compass. 



Such is the beauty of the zebra; but it has hitherto 

 been esteemed absolutely untamable. It must, how- 

 ever, be confessed, that no effectual method has yet 

 been adopted for that purpose. Resembling the horse 

 in its form, as w^ell as its manner of living, it. might 

 see-in^ that it possesses a similitude of nature ; and 

 some naturalists suppose, that with proper manage- 

 ment it might be converted to the same uses. This 

 opinion, however, is but ill supported by experience ; 

 for those that have been brought to this country, have 

 discovered a degree of viciousness, that has rendered 

 it uiuuio fco approach them. The zebra, which was 



