THE LIVERY STABLE. 53 



We have said nothing as to the care the harness and car- 

 riages receive in such places, the jarring them together, 

 scratching the paint and varnish, trampling of the shafts 

 by the feet of horses, and men totally indiflferent to all 

 surroundings — suggestive of an understanding with the 

 harness-maker and carriage-builder. 



The subject of livery stables is not an interesting one, 

 and we feel sorry that we can see nothing in their manage- 

 ment to be recommended and adopted in the care of horses 

 and carriages, while there is much to avoid and condemn. 

 A remedy for this state of things in the livery stable can 

 only be brought about by a stricter observance of those 

 laws of nature, the violation of which entails their just and 

 sure punishment, but unfortunately not always upon the 

 cause of their violation. 



The keeper must be a man of temperate, business habits, 

 conducting his stable affairs honestly and impartially 

 toward his patrons. A set of wise and good rules should be 

 framed and enforced, under pain of dismissal for disobedi- 

 ence of them ; employ and pay good and capable stable- 

 men ; allow the full measure of feed to the horses, and if 

 this cannot be profitably done at the prices charged, make 

 this known in an intelligible manner to the owners, and if 

 assured of good treatment (which is true economy) each 

 will pay better prices, and thus insure the comfort of his 

 favorite horse. Rather reach the pocket of a gentleman 

 by a plain statement than by the stomach of a hungry 

 horse ; make the patrons feel by word and deed that their 



