\\\W 



216 EVILS OF MODERN STABLES. 



often escapes from such a liold : the teeth, therefore, are ultimately em- 

 ployed. The texture of the firmest cord is easily compressed by the 

 muscular power of the horse's jaw 1 The substance is not unpleasant 

 to bite ; nor is the taste of hemp altogether disagreeable. The teeth, 

 consequently, do not relinquish their grip with the termination of the 

 game. The thing is, from mere vacuity, bitten with different degrees of 



force. Fiber after fiber yields, till, 

 without any design or the slightest 

 intention, the substance is divided. 

 The creature is then released ; but 

 it does not at first comprehend 

 __ that its bond is destroyed. At 

 ^ length, the welcome truth is recog- 

 ^ nized, and, bounding with delight, 

 i the released captive scampers 

 ^ about the gangway, peering into 

 "" forbidden places, and reveling in 

 GNAWING T&E COLLAR-ROPE. its temporary freedom ! 



The amazement of the groom 

 is excited at the spectacle of a horse enjoying liberty I JSTo thought is 

 wasted upon the intelligence which was able to achieve so great a bless- 

 ing. All animals, within the building, are credited only with evil quali- 

 ties ; ■ nothing praiseworthy is looked for or expected to be displayed by 

 them. The only virtue a horse is esteemed capable of exhibiting is 

 brutish submission. The groom, seeing the creature roving about, ex- 

 claims in anger, "That wicket beast, agin ! It is up to every 'vice 1'" 



Another and a stouter rope is procured. The fastening is renewed, 

 ajid made more strong than it was before. But what has been accom- 

 phshed once, will be repeated. It may be some days before limited 

 intelhgence can recall the precise manner in which its accidental pleasure 

 was secured ; but, after an interval, the audacious animal is again in 

 possession of unlawful license. Such occasions subsequently occur more 

 quickly. Till, at length, the groom, puzzled and aggravated by the in- 

 genuity of his charge, substitutes a thick chain for that which had hitherto 

 been represented by a hempen tether. 



Iron is not so pleasant to the teeth, neither will it yield so readily to 

 force as did the hemp. The chain is, consequently, an effectual check to 

 some animals. Others, however, are not thus readily subdued. The 

 recollection of forbidden sweets, once tasted and longingly remembered, 

 stimulates their faculties. The teeth soon instruct the understanding 

 that iron cannot be bitten. Is there no other way of breaking the fetter ? 

 All living things, when desirous of freedom, pull violently agamst the 



