148 



TEETH. 



compuls )Fj drudgery of a spirit-broken slave, to tile happy service of a 

 willing friend. The^orse is sent upon earth, prepared to serve and 

 eager to share the happiness of its lord; but it is not understood; it 

 meets with no sympathy ; it is treated as a wild and ravenous beast, 

 whose subjugation must be enforced and whose obedience must be 

 compelled. 



THE INCISORS DENOTE NO MORE THAN THREE TEARS OLD. 



' The bit is put into its mouth when the third year has been attained. 

 It is driven from the field and from the cool grass ; at a period of change 

 and of debility it is expected to display the greatest animation, or to 

 learn strange things from him who teaches only with the lash or with 

 the goad. When its gums are inflamed ; when the system is excited ; 

 when the strength is absorbed by an almost simultaneous appearance 

 of twelve teeth, it is led from the plain and made, with its bleeding jaws, 

 to masticate sharp oats and fibrous hay. At this age, when fever pre- 

 vails in its blood, and the growth of its frame naturally weakens the 

 muscles, it is expected to have leisure to master new teachings, anima- 

 tion to show off strange acquirements, and stamina to endure the weight 

 of the tyrant on its back. 



From this date, it is the inhabitant of a close, a fetid, and a heated 

 stable. It may languish for a cool draught of pure air ; but its head is 

 haltered to the manger, and there it must remain, to inhale the tainted 

 atmosphere of its abode. The fire natural to its condition may rage ; 

 but it must not slake the thirst which consumes it till the groom brings 

 a pail, only to permit so many gulps or "go downs" to be imbibed. 

 Nay, if the poor captive should shift its feet, turn its head, or change its 



