62 THE POCKET AND THE STUD. 



to add strength, where the timber is light ; and if 

 the standings are made, as half of them are, of 

 deal, they gain considerable strength by it also ; 

 and this reason is very well, where a place to put 

 horses is only intended to be built, that at the 

 least possible expense, and, as is universally the 

 plan on such occasions, to build on as small an 

 area of ground as possible. Such places are only 

 a shelter partitioned off; but, where a man means 

 to build a stable, the difference between a good one 

 and a bad one, in point of expense, is more than 

 compensated for by the comfort of the one over 

 the other, to yourself, your horses, and your men 

 particularly, when health, safety, and durability 

 are taken into consideration. 



Another motive for having stall-posts may be 

 the wish to have, for appearance-sake, arches over 

 or rather behind the horses. Whether a stable 

 looks better with or without them is a matter of 

 taste ; but they certainly afford no advantage ; but, 

 on the contrary, harbour spiders, flies, and, in 

 some degree, prevent a free circulation of air 

 two objections, I should think, sufficient to ex- 

 clude their use. 



There is a possibility though, I grant, no 

 great probability of another very serious cata- 

 strophe occurring, both from stall-posts and balls. 

 It is possible, because I have twice known it oc- 

 cur ; but I allow it is improbable,, because, among 



