OR, The Turn Out. 67 



band and cheeks of the bridle all the distance, which novel 

 proceeding was more calculated to excite the mare than to 

 stop her. 



Therefore, the moral is, that no matter who ma}^ have the 

 care or charge of the steed, in the temporary absence of 

 the owner or driver, all persons or attendants are liable at 

 some time or other to have their attention called away during 

 the process of fixing the harness upon the horse, and 

 attaching the horse to the vehicle ; so the driver should 

 never mount the box without havinsr first felt and ex- 

 amined the easy bearings and proper adjustment of the 

 whole set. 



Great want of consideration for the horse is at times 

 noticeable in the loading of vehicles, especially waggonettes 

 and brakes for pic-nic parties ; and, it is a standing disgrace 

 that market carriers generally, and pleasure seekers also, 

 seem to think more of the capabilities of the conveyance 

 than the horse, and the writer has many times put the gentle 

 reminder to those in charge : — " In considering (or risking) 

 what the cart will hold, think how much the horse can 

 draiv." 



In the summer time, and at holiday times, it is the usual 

 practice to pack human beings behind a horse as close as a 

 tin of sardines, and often with the tugs too low, the 

 shafts swinging about, and the cart body bumping upon the 

 axletree, caused by the springs being over-weighted. This 

 kind of thing together with '* We won't go home till morning" 

 and other lively melodies in harmony with the time of 

 evening and the quantity of stimulant deposited, are all 

 apparently necessary to complete the day's enjoyment. But 

 how little can the occupants be thinking of the enormous 

 risk they are running whilst rocking backwards and for- 

 wards, as though they would roll in one mass out of the 

 vehicle, and their whole attention seeming to be centered in 

 getting to the top of their voices on the return journey ; 

 flogging, and racing up hill and down, frequently, at least 

 as a rule, more excited or helpless than when starting out, 

 and their last thoughts being — the Horse. 



Gardener's carts, although to all appearance a big load, 

 are, as a rule, packed with more judgment, the gardener 

 generally putting the finishing touch to the balance by 

 stowing himself away either on the front or extreme back of 

 his strong and well-built curt, as the case requires ; and, 



