IMPORTANCE OF SIMPLE COMMANDS. 337 



and lie became frantic, bounding in the air like a horse 

 that had never been harnessed. We were only a few feet 

 from the bluff-bank of the river, and it appeared as if 

 nothing would save us from taking an involuntary bath in 

 the Father of Waters. I succeeded, however, in turning 

 him in time to save us from going over the bank, and as 

 we got fairly straight in the street, my friend grasped the 

 reins. The instant he took hold of them, I gave up my 

 pull, and said "whoa," the horse stopping immediately. 

 Our united strength would have been insufficient to stop 

 him by pulling, though as soon as he heard the command 

 the former lessons were thought of and obeyed. Shortly 

 after this occurrence, I took him on the ferry-boat, and as 

 soon as his curiosity was satisfied, he was as tranquil as 

 if in the stable. 



PEECEPTOE. Perfect acquiescence to our demands can 

 only be looked for when they are not unreasonable, and 

 the habit of using several words to denote one meaning, 

 or one word to denote different actions, will only 

 confuse the horse, who is frequently punished for the 

 stupidity of the driver. I noticed the peculiarity when 

 driving your horses, and congratulate you on the know- 

 ledge your pupils display in this essential particular. Yet 

 it strikes me you were a little afraid that Jane would prove 

 refractory, when you signified your fear that you might be 

 Compelled to injure her mouth to stop her running away. 



PUPIL, I did not know whether the lessons she learned 

 on the track, or those of a later day, would have the most 

 weight, but was inclined to think" the eaiier impressions 

 would prove the stronger. Colts that I have broken are 

 taught at every subsequent period that this demand must 

 be complied with, and when driven either in or out of the 

 shafts, it is duly kept in their mind. 



PEECEPTOE. There is some sense in your reasoning, 



