164 TEETH. 



obedieice to the rules of the Jockey Club, to call a colt four, which 

 truth and the teeth declare to be' only three. Horses may therefore be 

 readily reckoned older than they really are : but there is a general belief 

 that rogues in Yorkshire can make the teeth say five, when the actual 

 age is only four ; or, in other words, can so successfully tamper with the 

 mouth as to induce the teeth to belie the actual age. Ignorant people 

 have a blind faith in the power of those who chance to be more knowing 

 than themselves ; but the author can only regard the general belief in 

 "Yorkshire fives," as illustrating the total unacquaintance of the public 

 with all that concerns equine economy. 



An elderly lady once laid claim to a dog which she beheld led about 

 the streets for sale. The possessor disputed her title, and the pair were 

 by the police introduced to a magistrate. Both gave a different name 

 as that belonging to the animal. The dog came to either appellation. 

 When put down on the floor of the court, it went to man or lady with 

 equal indifTerence. It was a puzzling case. At length, the bench was 

 illumined by a bright idea. "Hand me the dog," cried his worship, who 

 quickly placed it out of sight. Then, addressing the female supplicant, 

 he said, " I beg your pardon. All you have said about signs and marks 

 may be perfectly correct ; but such things, possibly, in two animals, may 

 be the same. The creature evidently does not appear to recognize its 

 mistress ; for, though it comes to your call, yet it will leave you when 

 spoken to from an opposite direction. I beg your pardon, madam, we 

 have settled, apparently, all points but one. Pray excuse me ! But was 

 your animal a gentleman or a lady ?" " Oh I sir !" replied the distressed 

 female, "mine was a lady dog." "Then I am afraid I must give the 

 case against your ownership, for this dog is decidedly a gentleman." 

 With that, he returned the animal to the man. " Stop, sir ! Stay ! Oh ! 

 pause 1 Consider, sir, those dog stealers can play such tricks," sobbed 

 forth the disconsolate female. 



So particular people appear to credit Yorkshire horse dealers with an 

 ability to perform "such tricks." No doubt they have every wish; but 

 the author questions whether they have yet attained the power to compel 

 nature at their bidding. All they are said to do, as pulling out the milk 

 teeth, firing and blistering the gums, are like the arts which were for- 

 merly used to raise the evil one ; and, in the writer's opinion, about as 

 likely to be attended with success. Cruelty is more calculated to retard 

 than to promote development. However, if the mouth exhibit the signs 

 proper to a five-year old, the animal may with safety be purchased, as 

 being of that age. Should it be younger than five, the owner is the 

 gainer ; since the teeth do no more than indicate the development of the 

 body, and an early maturity is the best evidence that the quadjuped, 

 during the previous years, has been tenderly nurtured. 



