218 Centaur ; 



on selecting the horse, followed by a classification of horses and 

 their standard measure and principal points, and the rules for 

 judging their age. The next essays are devoted to the harness 

 and how to fit it, how to harness and unharness the animal, 

 driving, the vehicle, and riding ; while after these come those 

 upon the stable, on various sorts of gears, and some others of less 

 special but more general interest, upon ' The effect of music upon 

 horses,' * Wonderful horses,' and other matters. Among these 

 miscellaneous articles is one upon ' Horsey phrases,' and a number 

 of hints and recipes. The latter belong to that class of remedy 

 which in the household would be called ' family medicines,' and 

 in no wsij trench upon the department of the veterinary surgeon. 

 The book is illustrated by a large number of plates, all of which 

 are good, and most of them are excellent in every way. Several 

 are of a special character, and promise to be exceedingly useful. 

 We may specially mention the one showing the anatomy of the 

 horse, which is drawn to scale, and marked in such a clear way 

 ' that every part of the animal may be technically named with 

 ease. The volume throughout aims to be practical, and, if we 

 may use the term, homely. The minute details on which so much 

 depends, but which are so frequently overlooked, receive full 

 attention, and the advice and information given, while indis- 

 pensable to the amateur, are not beneath the notice of the most 

 experienced professional. With regard to some things, the latter 

 may perhaps think that prominence is given to ' what everybody 

 knows,' but, unfortunately, it is just those things which are so 

 often forgotten. Throughout there is a vein of kindness which 

 speaks well for the Author's knowledge of, and hence love for, his 

 subject ; only in one thing can exception be taken to his remarks. 

 The exception is with regard to the use of the bearing rein, 

 into the discussion on which we must decline to enter, further 

 than to say that Mr. GouGH certainly gives comprehensible 

 reasons for the position he takes. The book is dedicated to 

 Sir Charles Forster, Bart., M.P., by whom, as the impersonation 

 of the saddlery town of the world, the compliment was well 

 deserved. In his address to the hon. member, Mr. GoUGH justly 

 says that the work ' will be found to contain such instructions as 

 will, if strictly carried out, enable those entrusted with the care 

 of that most useful and faithful companion of man — the horse — 

 to secure its comfort, preserve its health, and prolong its useful- 

 ness.' In these days horses, like time, are money ; and we have 

 every confidence in recommending this handsome volume to every 

 one who has, or is likely to have, a ' Turn Out.' With ' matter ' 

 of so much interest and use, the ' manner ' in which it is placed 

 before the public is, perhaps, of little moment ; but in this 

 instance the get-up is worthy of its contents, the appearance of 

 the book justifying us in saying that it would grace the shelves of 

 any library. Since the above notice was written, a letter has 

 been received by Mr. Gough from Sir Charles Forster, Bart., who 



