THE ASS. 49 



THE ASS AND MULE. 



THE asinine horse (equus asinus} or Ass, forms a problem not easily solved. 

 The Horse, indeed all the domesticated quadrupeds imported from the warmer 

 climes, improve in size and bulk, through their pasturing* upon the fertile soil and 

 under the moderate temperature of this country, with the exception of the Ass ; 

 which, although known in England, before the Conquest, has never, in any 

 recorded or known instance, reached the stature or substance of the Southern, or 

 Mediterranean Ass, or that of Spain, which sometimes attains the heig-Jht of fifteen 

 hands one half. It is by no means conclusive, to adduce low keep and ill usage as 

 the cause ; since the best keep varies the case in no sufficient degree. The imports 

 being generally confined to the male Ass, might be urged, but to little purpose ; 

 as we find a similar inferiority in the English Mule although the produce of a 

 good English mare. 



The Ass is originally a native of hot and dry countries, and surely of all quadru- 

 peds, one of the most genuine inhabitants of the desart, from his ability to subsist 

 upon the most scanty herbage. In his wild state, like the hog, he is comparatively 

 speedy, even fierce and courageous, and the natural enemy or rival of the horse. 

 Even the domesticated Ass shews a kind of savage fierceness and resolution, in 

 defence of her foal. For a certain attribute of the male Ass, a chapter of Ezekiel 

 may be consulted. To dilate on the patience and submission of the domestic Ass, 

 under whatever may occur, would be an attempt to illumine the sun : he is a true 

 fatalist, an optimist, wedding all events, bad or good, for better or for worse ; 

 taking with the patience of a Stoic, all the blows, the heaviest hand can lay upon 

 him, and deliberately waiting for the residue to come. The Flemish School of 

 Painters and our Gainsborough, have awarded the palm of picturesque beauty to 

 the Ass ; his gravity and sapient aspect had long before, introduced him into the 

 Commissions of the Peace. To be yet more serious, we declare on experience 

 and as Amateurs, he is not that stupid and senseless animal, which ignorance and 

 cruelty represent him ; on the contrary, his sagacity is eminent, and his affection 

 and gratitude warm and lively, when adequately excited. Slavery and tyranny 

 brutalize equally the man and the ass. The flesh of the wild Ass is highly 

 esteemed as venison, in his native desarts, and we have lately heard of a Nacker's 

 servant, who fares sumptuously whenever an Ass comes to the shop. But refined 

 and pampered as the Europeans are, and scorning Ass-flesh, the most delicate 

 ladies find Ass-milk a most pleasant and salubrious beverage. To conclude on his 

 uses of this nature, a whole ass in abstract or metaphysic, subserves various 



