THE ZEBRA. 217 



it is probable the horse and the ass, when first 

 taken from the forest, were equally obstinate, 

 fierce, and unmanageable. M. Buffon informs us, 

 that the zebra from which he took his descrip- 

 tion could never be entirely mastered, notwith- 

 standing all the efforts which were tried to tame 

 it. They continued, indeed, to mount it, but 

 then with such precautions as evidently showed 

 its fierceness, for two men were obliged to hold 

 the reins while the third ventured upon its back ; 

 and even then it attempted to kick whenever it 

 perceived any person approaching. That which 

 is now in the Queen's menagerie, at Buckingham- 

 Gate, is even more vicious than the former ; and 

 the keeper who shows it, takes care to inform the 

 spectators of its ungovernable nature. Upon 

 my attempting to approach, it seemed quite ter- 

 rified, and was preparing to kick, appearing as 

 wild as if just caught, although taken extremely 

 young, and used with the utmost indulgence. 

 Yet still it is most probable that this animal, by 

 time and assiduity, could be brought under sub-^ 

 jection. As it resembles the horse in form, with- 

 out all doubt it has a similitude of nature, and 

 only requires the efforts of an industrious and skil- 

 ful nation to be added to the number of our do- 

 mestics. It is not now known what were the 

 pains and dangers which were first undergone to 

 reclaim the breed of horses from savage ferocity ; 

 these, no doubt, made an equal opposition ; but 

 by being opposed by an industrious and enter- 

 prising race of mankind, their spirit was at last 

 subdued, and their freedom restrained. It is 



