EVILS OF MODERN STABLES. 215 



great a right as the late Duke of Newcastle, to do as it pleased with iw» 

 own. The flogging could be no more than the gratification of an eru 

 passion — out of which motive is generated the most serious crimes ; and 

 consequently, it was anything but a commendable action in the groom 

 who needlessly chastised a quadruped. 



Within the same stable is lodged young master's favorite mare. It is 

 a beautiful creature : not so slight as to be weedy, but made to carry 

 weight with ease, with speed, and with action. The young master on 

 this occasion has traveled to London by rail, and the entire day has been 

 passed by the mare within the walls of its abode. _ The fellow quad- 

 rupeds have had their exercise ; but the groom dislikes this horse. It 

 will not remain by itself, while the pipe is enjoyed with a pint of "early 

 purl;" the man's pride revolts against drinking his morning's stomachic 

 in the street. Besides, the animal, when first taken into the open air, 

 will perform a variety of caperings. Young master likes such nonsense : 

 but more than once it has thrown the- groom. The mare is, therefore, 

 abhorred with all the malice of a little mind. Yet the creature is all 

 grace and animation ; it is only pleasantly excited, when its master gets 

 into the saddle. Can horses possibly possess aristocratic predilections, 

 and can the quadrupeds tell whether hirelings or proprietors are seated 

 on their backs ? 



The mare is no favorite in the stable. Its feeling of vitality is too 

 powerful to admit of that perfect quietude which the monarch of the 

 locker loves should pervade his dominion. It is always making some 

 noise. Moving about; looking around; nibbling the wood-work; soil- 

 ing its coat or rumpling its hair. A most perverse brute to look after ! 

 It can't be alone and continue quiet I It will not suppress its spirit: 

 hang its head and appear to fall asleep like the other wretches. 



Such an animal, weary of captivity, has pawed its bed, till not a 

 single straw remains within the reach of the forefeet. The manger has 

 been repeatedly licked, till the possibility of a stray oat no longer stimu- 

 lates further endeavor. The quadruped has strained its neck and ele- 

 vated its head, till it is quite tired of staring around at nothing. It 

 lacks amusement, and is half inclined, to provoke a beating rather than 

 endure the weight of silence and the horror of that monotony which per- 

 vades its abode. In this state of restlessness, the vision alights upon 

 the collar-rope. It essays to catch hold of it. The cord, however, 

 being fastened near to the halter, of course it moves with every motion 

 of the head. The feat is not, therefore, so easy as to lack excitement. 

 The prisoner becomes quite elated. A new pastime has at last been 

 discovered ! 



At first the rope is seized between the lips. The tether, however, 



