48 GEOOMS. 



possess a number of excellences. He should be quiet in his 

 manner, clean in his person, sparing with his tongue, steady at 

 his work, and methodical in the performance of it. He ought to 

 be kind to his horses, and to those associated with him. In 

 short, a sober, steady man ; respectful to his master, honest in 

 the discharge of his multifarious duties, economical with his 

 means and appliances, and obliging to all. It is rare, however, 

 to meet with so perfect a specimen of the class ; and fortunate 

 indeed is the master, who may own a valuable stud of horses, 

 should he possess such a servant. It is easy to sketch the 

 moral outline of a model man. To procure him in flesh and 

 blood is the great difficulty. "We meet with many objectionable 

 habits of a grave character ; the possession of which, in kind or 

 degree, may render the man more or less intolerable. The 

 besetting sin with many, otherwise excellent, grooms, is love 

 of drink. With others, a bad temper and a brutal dispositon. 

 Others are the self deluded victims of an overweening estimation 

 of their own ability ; such men are constantly dilating upon 

 their extensive knowledge of horses, and of their capability as 

 managers of them. In others, again, we observe a manifestation 

 of cunning. They speak in a fawning tone, and assiduously 

 apply the unctious feather of flattery ; such fellows are generally 

 knaves, and are ever upon the watch to serve their selfish 

 purposes. To cheat their master, and misrepresent those who 

 may oppose their nefarious tricks and designs, would seem 

 indeed, to be the main purpose of their existence. They seek 

 to rule the entire establishment. By artful means, and villanous 

 misrepresentations, they often supplant veterinary surgeon, 

 saddler, coach builder, and corn dealers ; and in lieu of them, 

 others are employed who will connive at their designs and 

 practices. A servant of this kind, if living Avith a master 

 ignorant of his ways, or unsuspicious of his true character, may 



