THE HARE, 53 



Although endowed with vast strength and uncommon 

 powers, the Horse seldom exerts either to the prejudice of 

 his master; on the contrary, he shares with him in his 

 labors, and appears to participate in his pleasures. 

 Generous and persevering, he gives up his whole powers 

 to the service of his owner : though bold and intrepid, he 

 seems to repress the natural vivacity and fire of his temper, 

 and not only yields to the hand, but seems to consult the 

 inclination of his rider. But it must continue to be matter 

 of deep regret to every feeling mind, that these excellent 

 qualities should often be shamefully abused in the most 

 unnecessary exertions, and the honest labours of this noble 

 animal thrown away in the ungrateful task of accomplish- 

 ing the purposes of unfeeling folly, or lavished in gratify- 

 ing the expectations of an intemperate moment. 



THE HARE. 



The form of this animal is well and generally known ; 

 but its habits, which are well deserving our attentive 

 notice, are often overlooked. Timid and persecuted, the 

 prey of men and animals for its flesh, and the object of 

 savage sport to the idle or wauton, did it not owe much 

 to a principle of fear, which is ever awake for its preserva- 

 tion, and to its amazing fecundity, the breed would long 

 ere now have become extinct. 



In order to enable this innocent and delicate creature to 

 perceive the most distant approaches of danger, nature has 

 provided it with very long ears, which, like tubes, convey 

 remote sounds; and with prominent eyes, which receive 

 the rays of light on every side. It is also endowed with 

 extraordinary swiftness, and, from its hind legs being 

 longer than the fore, has the peculiar advantage of 

 an ability to run up ascents with more facility than any of 

 its pursuers. Every species of dog hunts it by instinct, 

 while the cat and the weasel tribe exercise all their little 

 arts to ensnare it ; but its most inveterate and destructive 

 enemy is man, who leagues with do^gs, or employs the 

 murderous gun to thin its numbers., often more for needless 

 pastime, than for the value of the spoil. 



The aliment of this animal is wholly vegetable, and no 



F2 



