'13 



CHAP. II. 



THE HORSE, THE ASS, AND THE ZEBRA. 



THE HORSE. 



OF all the animals in the Brute Creation, the Horse 

 doubtless claims pre-eminence, whether we consider 

 him beautiful in form, swift in motion, or beneficial to 

 the ease and comfort of mankind. 



To have an idea of this noble animal in his native sim- 

 plicity, we are not to look for him in the pastures or sta- 

 bles to which he has been consigned by man, but in 

 those wild and extensive plains where he has been ori- 

 ginally produced ; where he ranges without controul, 

 and enjoys that freedom bounteous Nature gave. The 

 continual verdure of the fields supply his wants, and the 

 genial clime seems suited to a constitution which Na- 

 ture has adapted to bear heat. His enemies of the fo- 

 rest are but few, and he finds safety in the society of 

 his friends. In that happy state of nature and inde- 

 pendence, five or six hundred of these animals herd 

 together; and, in the boundless tracts of Africa and 

 New Spain, by care elude the danger of surprise*. 



It is not an easy matter to say to what country the 

 Horse originally belongs : the colder climates, it seems, 

 do not agree with him ; for although he is to be met 

 with in those parts of the world, his form is observed 

 to be much diminished, and his nature to be greatly 



* In the uncultivated parts of Africa, where these noble animals col- 

 lect in herds, one of the number always stands as sentinel, to apprise the 

 rest if their enemies approach. 



