IX. 



FIEE HORSES. 



EVERYBODY knows that a fire-engine horse is 

 a large, strongly built, handsome animal, with 

 a broad forehead and an intelligent eye. He wears 

 neither check nor blinders, and is never blanketed, 

 except when he stands out in the street ; but his coat 

 is nicely groomed, his hoofs are well oiled ; he is 

 usually in the pink of condition ; his social affections 

 and faculties are highly cultivated ; interested looks 

 follow him when he takes his daily exercise ; and, 

 seen in full progress to a fire, he is an object of re- 

 spect and admiration, almost of terror. 



His work is different from that of any other horse 

 in the world, and it requires a peculiar combination 

 of qualities. The fire steed must be able to draw an 

 extremely heavy load at a smart gallop ; in short, his 



