236 FAULTS INSEPARABLE FROM STABLES. 



six feet in his stockings. Such persons, when seated, measure at least 

 three feet from the crown of the head to the cushion of the chair. One 

 yard, therefore, added to the height of the horse makes more than eight 

 feet; or, allowing for saddle, hair of rider, etc., approaches unpleasantly 

 close to the highest point of that space which was to release a groom 

 from every care. 



Some persons prefer to mount in the stable. Many horses will only, 

 while there, allow a rider to quietly cross their backs. Most gentlemen 

 have their hats on before the feet are placed in the stirrups. But sup- 

 posing a tall man to get upon a high horse, the covering to his head 

 must be extremely shallow if it is to receive no damage when passing 

 through the doorway which, the reader has Professor Stewart's assur- 

 ance, is so lofty as to dispense with every care ! 



To ride out of the stable is very far from an eccentric habit. A model 

 door should, therefore, contemplate the passage of any ordinary sized 

 horse, with any rider of average proportions seated upon its back. The 

 tallest man probable, as well as the smallest possible, should be equally 

 accommodated by its dimensions. A model door ought to provide for 

 every customary purpose. When considering such a structure, it is not 

 sufficient that its size is proportioned to the majority of purposes, but it 

 should be fit for all, save only very extraordinary uses. 



The width customary with such entrances — "three feet six inches" — 

 must not be passed over unnotice'd, if only to convince the reader of the 

 entire inadequacy of such a space. The author, however, could readily 

 point to many stable doors of even narrower capacity than is implied in 

 the foregoing limitation; but having bound himself not to adduce his 

 own experience, he gladly accepts Professor Stewart's testimony con- 

 cerning those things which are to be reviewed in this place. 



When a horse is led, not ridden, out of the stable, the groom com- 

 monly proceeds according to the following method : The man grasps a 

 rein, and, walking by the side of the animal, servant and slave pass the 

 threshold together. The three feet six inches of clear space has to per- 

 mit the passage of two bodies at the same moment ; therefore, dividing 

 the allotted width, and giving half to each, allows one foot nine inches 

 as the share of either. A groom, however, when in full livery, and 

 within his own dominion, is an important personage. He permits no 

 familiarity from his inferiors ; he expects only proper behavior from the 

 horse, while he is beneath the shadow of his realm. That groom must 

 be devoid of all self-esteem, and unworthy of his post, who could allow 

 the cleanliness of his costume to be soiled or the polish of his boots to 

 be sullied I 



A person of ordinary stature, and in average health, will measure, 



