2 INTRODUCTION. 



its hoofs, that it looks just like the spot which a 

 travelling circus has recently vacated. 



Horses and cows act in very much the same man- 

 ner. They will stand for hours close to the boundary, 

 and be quite grateful to any one who will pluck them 

 some of the grass that grows without their limits, even 

 though it be inferior to that within them. A gate is a 

 favourite resting-place, both with horses and cows ; 

 and they often press so heavily against it, that they 

 injure the fastenings. 



The late Charles Waterton pointed out to me a 

 device which he had put in practice on his estate at 

 Walton Hall, near Wakefield. He found that when 

 the cattle were on the side towards which the gate 

 opened, they did no great harm, because they only 

 pushed it against the post ; but that, when they were 

 on the opposite side, all the strain came against the 

 hinges and latch. So on the inside of every gate he 

 had a strong chain fastened to the left gate-post by a 

 staple, and to the right by a stout iron hook. 



The chain was set at the average height at which 

 the breast of a horse or cow would press against it, and, 

 by means of the hook, it could be unhitched whenever 

 the animals had to be moved. By means of this 

 ingenious device, it is impossible for the cattle to 

 damage the fastenings of the gate, as in the one case 

 the pressure was against the posts, and in the other 

 against the chains. 



Close to my house there is a ludicrous example of 

 the trespassing instinct. 



There is a stable, with an open yard attached to it, 

 and surrounded by a high park fence. The owner of 



