MY ZEALOUS ATTENDANT. 37 



warm, I was not sufficiently so to require my clothes to bo 

 removed for the pui-pose of being scraped and rubbed ; and 

 SjDanky, being trustworthy, received instructions to return with 

 me direct to the stable. Soon after my arrival, and just as my 

 hood and bridle had been taken off, the girths slackened, and a 

 game of cat-like diversions commenced with Toby — who, perched 

 on the edge of my crib, welcomed my return with his hoarse 

 me-u-ow, and sundry pats on the nose with the buns of his 

 paws — Harry Dale made his appearance, and I perceived that, 

 in sweating the filly, he had relieved his own system of con- 

 siderable moisture. 



By way of putting into execution his intent of " taking the 

 shine out of their blacking at Newmarket," Harry now threw 

 his jacket aside, and relieving his neck from the cravat, and 

 loosening the braces of his drab knee-breeches, at me he went 

 to work in earnest, beguiling the time of my dressing by first 

 giving me a very small quantity of sweet and fragrant hay. My 

 head, mane, and neck were now lightly brushed, then well 

 wisped, and the finishing touches given by a clean and dry 

 rubber. Harry's attention was now directed to my feet and 

 legs, the former of which he washed with the nicest care, 

 removing the smallest perceptible atom of dirt from the frogs, 

 and seeing that none was left between the shoe and sole of the 

 foot. He then, after rubbing them, bandaged my legs, and gave 

 me some refreshing go-downs of water, for which I thirsted 

 most feverishly. My clothes were afterwards stripped from 

 my back, and with a damp wisp Harry began one of the most 

 vigorous of dressings upon my body, quarters, and thighs, that 

 was ever yet bestowed at the hands ol the most exemplary and 

 industrious of stable-boys. 



It should be mentioned, however, that John Sellusall stood 

 by as a witness of his efforts, and watched with an expression 

 upon his features which showed the tendency to find fault 

 without the opportunity of exhibiting a more palpable effect. 



Harry's last "p-s-h-sh" being brought to an end, fresh 

 clothing was thrown over me, and arranged with scrupulous 

 care so as to be even, and sit in its place. The bandages on 



