294 THE SO-CALLED "INCAPACITATING VICES." 



The following is intended to be an accurate representation of an inci- 

 dent which the author witnessed, some years ago, in the neighborhood 

 of Holhway. In the issue, however, no person was injured; even the 

 horse cGcaped unharmed. It would have been. difficult to say which of 

 the principal actors was the most frightened. Probably the alarm of 

 each was as great as it was possible to be ; but the breakage of the shafts, 

 the rupture of the traces, and the snapping of the reins mainly secured 

 the immunity of all. No one, having seen the aspect borne by the event 

 at one time, could have foretold how it was to terminate ; assuredly the 

 fortunate result was not facilitated by the gentleness or the self-posses- 

 sion of the driver. That person did his best, no doubt without the 

 intention of whipping up a catastrophe : he acted according to the re- 

 cognized rules ; but it was owing to the reflection such a scene gave rise 

 to that the author was led to recognize the folly of that behavior which 

 is generally displayed under the like alarming circurnstances. 



l?i|,ll!ll'iiiiill,l 



KUNNINQ AWAY. 



' Before concluding the present chapter, the reader is earnestly coun- 

 seled to discard the many foolish tales he may have heard about the 

 horse being naturally a "vicious animal." What reward is reaped from 

 the indulgence of the creature's imaginary designs ? Death, injury, or 

 disfigurement! Such consequences might ensue upon the promptings 

 of insanity; but no one,. however, has supposed that madness instigated 

 the conduct which man recognizes as " vice " in the horse. There is, in 

 the world's opinions, a wide distinction separating the mad horse from 

 the "vicious brute." The attributed "vice" is certainly not recognized 



