86 MY HORSE ; MY LOVE 



know their master by his voice, his step, his smell, his 

 touch, quite as well as a horse that can see. Blindness 

 seems to develop all their affectionate instincts. They 

 particularly love their mate in the stable or in driving, 

 doing their share of work cheerfully, depending on him 

 only for guidance, and if separated will pine and refuse to 

 be comforted.' 



Then for all these reasons he will not deteriorate so 

 much in value ? 



' His value should not be greatly lessened, as his useful- 

 ness is by no means at an end. Conscious of his deficiency, 

 he seems always most anxious to do his best, while any 

 natural wilfulness gives place to the most amiable desire to 

 be led or guided, only that he may do the thing required 

 of him. While there is nothing that more appeals to the 

 sympathies than a blind horse, it is not on account of his 

 helplessness so much, as because of his exceeding willing- 

 ness, and the surprising cleverness of his sharpened 

 instincts.' 



