200 HOUSE PORTRAITURE. 



his long coat, but his prominent eye has a calmer look. I 

 have missed seeing the mode of operation that has thus 

 transformed him, and will, have to be contented to hear 

 how so much has been accomplished. 



PUPIL. I have worked with him every spare moment 

 since you have been gone, and now think there will be no 

 further trouble in either handling or driving him. It has 

 resulted, as I expected, in one way. He will now grow and 

 thrive, and I venture to say his most intimate acquaintance 

 will fail to know him three months from now. The jour- 

 ney down partially tamed him, so that he would stand 

 while a surcingle was laid across his back. After due cau- 

 tion, I got a roller buckled on him that had a billet and 

 buckle to fasten the check-rein to'. A blind bridle, with 

 a long pair of driving reins, just as I have described in 

 breaking the colts on the breeding-farm, was used. "When 

 first brought, out he did not like the idea of taking the 

 precedence, but wanted to be where he could watch every 

 one that was around him ; so another rein was put on, one 

 of the boys going before to lead him, while I took the 

 reins and let him feel a very slight pressure on the bit. 

 The blinds preventing him seeing in the rear, he soon 

 learned to heed the suggestions of the bit, and would go 

 wherever directed. I will venture to say I have walked 

 miles enough behind him in the last two weeks to carry me 

 to the spot -where the Erie road and spring wagon took 

 you so much more easily. In a few days we were able to 

 partially clean him, the good effects of which are so plainly 

 visible. As he will now suffer himself to be held by the 

 bit, wear the whole harness, and allow the crupper to be 

 put on, I shall have no hesitation in placing him in the 

 shafts of the breaking-sulky, taking every precaution, of 

 course, that we can to prevent injury to himself or the ve- 

 hicle. The other colts I have driven regularly, either on 

 the road or track, and as the weather has continued so 



