356 AGRICtJLTURE AND THE HORSE. 



simplest processes, and the smallest risks. I suppose 

 I may be called conservative ; and I must confess I 

 dislike every thing which is capable of running away. 

 I acquiesce in a gale of wind; but I dislike it. So 

 I acquiesce in the horse ; but I don't like him. I 

 have said more than I meant to say when I com- 

 menced ; perhaps more than I ought to have said. 

 But public service, you know, Mr. Chairman, tends 

 to develop the powers of expression, and to enlarge 

 those intellectual faculties without which this world 

 would indeed be but a 'fleeting show.' I beg pardon 

 of the gentlemen present for my extended remarks ; 

 but I feel that I have but half discharged my duty, 

 and have said less than half of what I desired to say. 

 I hope I have not injured the horse, or discouraged 

 the society. My disposition is 'to hold to the one, 

 and despise the other.' I shall acquiesce, however; 

 and I trust and pray that our Troy (excuse the clas- 

 sical allusion) may not fall as fell the ancient city, 

 when that animal which I dread so much passed 

 through its ill-starred gates." 



Mr. Jones sat down somewhat flushed, a little per- 

 plexed, and with an expression of mingled self-approval, 

 defiance, and injured innocence, which was not pleasant 

 to such a healthy assembly as he had just addressed. 

 Everybody was silent. They had no idea Mr. Jones 

 was so eloquent a gentleman: they had forgotten his 

 "Dublic service.^' They did not agree with him; but 



