802 HORSE PORTRAITURE. 



to be at tlie stable when feeding- time arrives; so propel, 

 as the negro minstrels say. 



PUPIL. If you leave the choice to me, I shall select 

 breeding as the more interesting topic, now that your 

 thoughts are running that way; the " yarn " will keep cold 

 well enough. As to my enthusiasm, a person of ardent 

 temperament cannot avoid being enthusiastic when en- 

 gaged in raising colts from favorite stock. The anxiety 

 to see whether his expectations have been realized, causes 

 him to watch the advent of the colt with as much concern 

 as the gambler looks for the appearance of the card on 

 which his last dollar has been staked. With what soli- 

 citude he superintends its awkward attempts to draw 

 nourishment from a source it is yet unacquainted with, 

 till he is finally gratified with hearing the lacteal nuil 

 gurgling down its throat, and is more than pleased wit : u 

 the satisfaction it mutely expresses with the sugary draught 

 How interestedly he watches it staggering along, leaning 

 against its mother, not knowing yet how to use those limbd 

 that soon will be so pliant ! How much comfort is expressed 

 in the pantomime, wiien it stretches itself on the green 

 sward, bathed in the warm rays of sunshine, that in 

 invigorating its frame so powerfully that only a few daysi 

 will elapse before it will be gamboling, with all the grace 

 that it is possible for an animal to show. There is positive 

 affection, akin to the feeling for the dearest of the human 

 family, for a colt, as it licks the sugar from your hand, and 

 whinnies at your approach, gladly recognizing you as its 

 "next best friend." 



PKECEPTOK. I have no doubt that breeding horses is a 

 very fascinating pursuit, and that the ownership acquired 

 in that way induces warmer feelings than those that result 

 from, purchase. The breeding I am going to speak of is 

 retrospective, and the teachings of the past ought to be a 

 guide for the future, in this as well as other pursuits. 



