212 



EVILS OF MODERN STABLES. 



solitary mishap. The stable attendant, not being kept strictly to his 

 work, growa to regard his own likings more than to consider his mas- 

 tei's orders. These people are always pleased with the exhibition of 

 fat. The proprietor may talk about condition ; but the servant knows 

 his master's favorite hunter should carry a "littW^ fat. It looks so gen- 

 tlemanly to see a horse that is well fed. Every groom has a rare, secret 

 nostrum which will load any animal with fat in a week. He will spend 

 his perquisites to purchase this mysterious powder, a spoonful of which, 

 given in a mash, at night, acts Hke a charm. At the same time, he 

 serves out the oats and beans pretty generously. He fills the rack, 

 heaps the manger, gives a dose of his secret mixture, and tl^en, slapping 

 the horse under the flank, exclaims, "There, old boy I I think you may 

 enjoy yourself now I" 



We are told an alderman was once solicited for halfpence by a cross- 

 ing-sweeper, because the man was "so hungry." The city magnate 

 paused, looked at his petitioner, and, with feeling, exclaimed, "Lucky 

 dog I I wish I was also hungry." The horse, wanting exercise, stares 

 at the provender, but has no appetite. The food piled up before it is, 



A HORSE WASTING THE HAT. 



to the animal, no other than "matter out of place." Desire is needed to 

 give value to such abundance ; and a non-reasoning being cannot be ex- 

 pected to prize that which it does not require. It cannot eat, but it lacks 

 amusement. The hay is before it. In sheer idleness, a few stalks are 

 pulled from the rack. Of these, one may be leisurely masticated ; but 

 the remainder, after having been twisted about by the lips, are allowed 



