THE HORSE. 119 



running upon common land, may have some conveni- 

 ence in case of their straying. In fine, to parody an 

 old parliamentary phrase, "the influence of horse- 

 stealing has increased, is increasing, and ought to be 

 diminished." I apprehend, however, our knowing 

 wags will have the laugh in both cases. And it is 

 really laughable to observe what immense pains men 

 will take in the second instance, who are so tardy 

 and averse to move a finger in the first; how they 

 will, when it shall have become too late, scour the 

 country, associate, threaten, reward ! But for one 

 countervailing reason I would adopt the principle of 

 Draco, and say, let it be solemnly announced from 

 the bench, no pardon for horse-stealers, and let it be 

 rigidly acted upon. Such vast numbers of horses and 

 cattle have been stolen, that it would well be worth 

 while to organize a night patrol, in many parts, and 

 to be active universally throughout the country in 

 clogging, with every possible difficulty, this most 

 flourishing trade. I formerly preached, and from 

 experience too, on the great use of bells and small 

 barking dogs in dwelling houses, but, as other 

 reverend preachers have spent their breath, so have 

 I shed my ink, in vain. 



SECTION XX.— Exercise. 



Not arguments, reminiscence only can be wanted on 

 on the necessity of exercise for the stabled horse ; more 

 especially the high fed, in order to remove bodily 

 obstructions, promote the secretions, and a due cir- 

 culation of the fluids. Air and exercise regard two 



