78 ON THE HORSE IN GENERAL. 



I flatter myfelf I fhall thence be able to obtain 

 fome new and important information ; and it 

 will afford me infinite pleafure, to find an 

 occafion of beftowing my (hare of applaufe 

 upon the meritorious labours of Mr. Taplin. 



CHAP. II. 



ON THE HORSE IN GENERAL. 



r T* , HE Horfe, to the eye of fcience, is the 

 ■*■ mod beautiful of all four-footed animals; 

 fuperior to all in fymmetry of body, in fpeed, 

 and in "general utility to mankind. He pof- 

 feffes in common with the human race, the rea- 

 foning faculty, the difference confi fling only 

 in degree, or quantity. Human pride, pre- 

 judice, and cruelty alone, have quefiioned this 

 truth ; thofe paffions fufpended, it becomes 

 inftantly obvious to common fenfe. The body 

 then of the Horfe, as well as that of every 

 living creature, is vivified and informed by a 

 foul, or portion of intellectual element fuper- 

 added. This portion differs in degree, in 

 different animals, according to the wife dif- 

 penfation of nature. I hope I may be allowed 

 to make ufe of the term foul, without any 

 offence, either to the materialift or the atheift ; 



and 



