RKSTIVENESS. 503 



and in about ton days brouglit liim liome again, certainly not looking worse 

 in condition, but perfectly subdued and almost as obedient as a dog ; for 

 he would lie down at this man's bidding, and only rise again at liis com- 

 mand, and carry double or anything. I took to riding him inyself, and 

 may say, that I was never better carried for six or eight months, during 

 which time he did not show tlie least 'vice whatever. I tlien sold bim 

 to a Lincolnshire farmer, who said that lie would give him a summer's 

 run at grass, and show him as a very fine horse at the great Horncastle 

 fair. 



' Happening to meet this gentleman on the following year, I naturally 

 enough enquired after my old friend. " Oh," said he, " that was a bad 

 business — the horse turned out a sad rebel. The first time Ave attempted 

 to mount him, after getting him up from grass, he in an instant threw the 

 man down with the greatest violence, pitching him several yards over his 

 head; and after that he threw every one that attempted to get on his back. 

 If he could not throw his rider, he tootdd throw himself down. We could 

 do nothing with him, and I was obliged at last to sell him to go in a stage- 

 coach." ' 



In the next story, Jumper's counterpart and superior, the Irish Whis- 

 perer, is brought on the stage, and although he performed wonders, he 

 could not radically cure a restive horse. ' At the Spring meeting of 1804, 

 Mr. Whalley's King Pippin was brought on the Curragh of Kildare to run. 

 He was a horse of the most extraordinary savage and vicious disposition. 

 His particular propensity was that of flying at and ivorrying any person 

 who came within his reach, and if he had an opportunity, he would get his 

 head round, seize his rider by the leg with his teeth, and di'ag him down 

 from his back. For this reason he was always ridden with what is called 

 a sword ; which is a strong flat stick, having one end attached to the cheek 

 of the bridle, and the other to the girth of the saddle, a contrivance to 

 prevent a horse of this kind from getting at his rider. 



' King Pippin had long been difiicult to manage and dangerous to go 

 near to, but on the occasion in question he could not be got out to run at 

 all. Nobodij coidd put the hridle upon his head. It being Easter Monday, 

 and consequently a great holiday, there was a large concourse of people 

 assembled at the Curi*agh, consisting principally of the neighbouring 

 peasantry ; and one countr3^nan, more fearless than the rest of the lookers- 

 on, forgetting, or perhaps never dreaming, that the better part of courage 

 is discretion, volunteered his services to bridle the horse. No sooner had 

 he committed himself in this operation, than King Pippin seized him 

 somewhere about the shoulders or chest, and, says Mr. Watts (Mr. 

 Castley's informant), " I know of nothing I can compare it to so much as 

 a dog shaking a rat." Fortunately for the poor fellow, his body was very 

 thickly covered with clothes, for on such occasions an Irishman of this 

 class is fond of displaying his wardrobe, and if he has three coats at all in 

 the ivorld, he is sure to put them all on. 



' This circumstance in all probability saved the individual who had so 

 gallantly volunteered the forlorn hope. His person was so deeply enveloped 

 in exti'a teguments, that the horse never got fairly hold of his skin, and I 

 understand that he escaped with but little injury, beside the sadly rent 

 and totally ruined state of his holiday toggery. 



' The Whisperer was sent for, who, ha^dng arrived, was shut up with 

 the horse all night, and in the morning he exhibited this hitherto ferocious 

 animal, following him about the course like a dog — lying down at his 

 command — suffering his mouth to be opened, and any person's hand to be 

 introduced into it — in short, as quiet almost as a sheep, 



' He came out the same meeting, and won his race, and his docility 



