EVILS OF MODERN STABLES. 21x 



ihan he bargained for. The exhibition of intelligence should form no 

 excuse for chastisement, though disappointment is too apt to expend its 

 rage in blows. 



There remains, however, to decide whether the act on the horse's 

 part, not being a fault, may be justly esteemed to be a virtue. A dull, 

 phlegmatic beast had slept away the time "between the feedings;" had 

 been content, so no exertion had been demanded. All men abhor what, 

 in stable phraseology, is termed "a slug." It certainly is meritorious 

 to seize every opportunity of displaying that sort of temper which our 

 superiors desire should be presented. All horse owners love a gay, 

 lively, spirited nag. Leaping into the manger was a proof of animation. 

 The act may have violated stable propriety ; but the simple nature of the 

 quadruped could not comprehend those regulations which man is incapa- 

 ble of communicating to the equine understanding; therefore the rules 

 of the place were nothing to the captive. The culpability should rest 

 upon him who planned a building with fixtures capable of being readily 

 perverted. Leaping into the manger was certainly commendable, so far 

 as it testified to intelligence, intrepidity, and liveliness. The blame must 

 reside with him who doomed a gregarious creature to solitary existence, 

 and fixed before the prisoner a feeding trough, certainly at an inviting 

 altitude. 



There is another supposed "vice" which animals doomed to length- 

 ened and solitary confinement occasionally exemplify. Some gentlemen 

 own several horses. Those parties possess ranges of stables, and every 

 stall is occupied. When a person has a stud at his command, he is apt 

 to conceive a dislike for riding. Days, and even weeks, may pass with- 

 out the saddle or the carriage being ordered for the master's gratification. 

 During such a period, the grooms are supposed to give the animals a 

 healthful amount of exercise. 



But when superiors neglect their duty, inferiors will probably follow 

 the example. A powerful propensity to imitate is one of the human 

 peculiarities ; the truth of this observation is far more vigorously illus- 

 trated in the stable than in the mansion. Much time may have gone by 

 since some of the horses sniffed the breeze or looked upon the face of 

 heaven ; let the period be still further extended, and the grooms will not 

 complain. The quadrupeds may continue idle, and gorge until their 

 livers burst with disease ; but their custodians can never tire of too little 

 employment. When an establishment is thus managed, the grooms do 

 not generally rise till the hour for morning exercise has passed; if a 

 stray thought of the captives should trouble their consciences, the qualm 

 s always quieted with, "Oh ! let the poor devils enjoy a long rest." 



Breach of one obligation, like the falling of a first brick, is seldom a 



