THE HORSE. 195 



bestow on the perils of furious driving, or any o tip- 

 pet ils, however obvious, with which their journey may 

 be attended. They thus, contemning all cautions, or 

 ideas of prevention, determine to stand their own in- 

 surers, trusting to their fortune and taking the risk. 

 Nay, beyond all this, there is a certain part of the 

 public, so thoroughly satisfied with things as they 

 are, that individuals of that cast have expressed to 

 me their astonishment at the complaints made of the 

 accidents on our roads, of which they are equally 

 astonished there should be so few ; in this last view 

 of the matter, I certainly agree with them. 



" Things remaining in this state, there inevitably 

 must, therefore will be, periodical and fatal accidents 

 which ought not, and need not be : and even so, per- 

 haps in despite of every practicable addition to our 

 road legislation; but surely the limbs, the future 

 comfort of life, even life itself, are objects of at least 

 equal consequence with any temporary locomotion, of 

 whatever necessity or importance that might be. It 

 is a theme proper for all travellers, indeed all men, to 

 debate and comment upon ; and in regard of which, 

 men ought to impose some law of discretion and 

 decision upon themselves ; and as this is the age of 

 Associations, the establishment of some such, in aid 

 and with the view of assuring all due effect to the 

 laws already in force, and to the enactment of addi- 

 tions which might be deemed necessary, would not 

 be useless or mere toast-drinking and holiday insti- 

 tutions. 



" I am, however, ready to acknowledge that some- 

 what of the former mania of neck or nothing on the 



