BLINDERS DANGEROUS. 305 



to which he was harnessed his composure would not 

 have been disturbed. 



We have tried the experiment on a gig-mare accus- 

 tomed to blinders. On first seeing the gig she was 

 alarmed, but, being encouraged by us, as well as by a 

 strong man alongside of her in case of a bolt, she very 

 soon proceeded with her usual propriety. 



As to the lasso and the surcingle, we have no expe- 

 rience of them ; but as it is demonstrated, by the recent 

 experience of the Koyal Engineer Train, that with this 

 simple equipment any number of horses, whether accus- 

 tomed to draught or not, can be harnessed to any kind 

 of carriage, not only in front, but in rear, to hold it 

 back, or even sideways to prevent its oversetting ; as 

 this is the common mode of draught in South America 

 for all purposes ; as the traces and surcingle are there 

 made of nothing but bullock-skins (costing less than 

 English girths and surcingles), it is evident that this 

 mode of traction would be most serviceable on the far 

 better roads and bridges of this country. And why 

 should not the farmer have the benefit of this simple 

 and effective mode of applying the horse-power on his 

 farm ? Why should two horses be overburdened doing 

 what could be better and more expeditiously done by 

 four or six exerting their strength in the most advan- 

 tageous manner by means of single traces ? We must 

 leave our agricultural friends to determine the occasions 

 of using the single trace ; that they could often employ 

 it profitably we are convinced. Sir Francis Head truly 

 observes, that the many curious, and indeed scientific, 

 applications and combinations of power of which this 

 simple harness is capable, form a beautiful example of 

 what even uncivilised man can contrive when his at- 

 tention has been long and steadily directed to a solitary 

 object. And surely the ingenuity and practical expe- 

 rience of one nation are worthy the patient atten- 

 tion of another. But though any horse will draw 

 by the single trace, the rider must be experienced and 



