216 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDEE. 



human reason, since the moment of its creation, has never 

 continued within the same limits, simply because its 

 cumulative powers have enabled it to inherit, increase, 

 and transmit knowledge which, by the triumph of reason 

 over immutable instinct, has, in accordance with the 

 Almighty decree, given to man dominion over the fish 

 of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the 

 cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping 

 thing that creepeth on the earth. 



As property, however, in animals as well as in acres, 

 " has its duties as well as its rights," it might have been 

 expected (at least by them) that when the Lord of the 

 creation thus obtained possession of the superior physical 

 strength of brute beasts, he would deem it just to impart 

 to them in return a small tithe or share of any discovery 

 by human reason that could alleviate the work which, 

 in subjection to its power, they were required to perform ; 

 and as in mercantile firms it is usual for the partners to 

 expend for their mutual benefit the amount of the capital 

 they respectively contribute, it might have been expected 

 that in the alliance which has taken place between men 

 and horses, a similar division of profits would have been 

 adopted. But like "Irish reciprocity," the advantages 

 are all on one side; or in plainer terms, Eeason screws 

 all it can out of Instinct, giving to the poor brute, its 

 owner, nothing in return. 



