IIOESES AND KOUNES. 4< 



lie could. Tins horse one clay straying near the court, and 

 rubbing against the wall, pulled the bell ; the Duke's attention 

 was attracted by it, but no person claiming admittance, he 

 inquired of his attendants the cause, and was answered by a 

 courtier, with a smile upon his countenance, that it was only an 

 old horse. " That makes no differen'ce," replied the Duke ; " my 

 court is open to all, and I w^ould have you to know that justice 

 extends to the brute creation. Who is the owner of that horse? 

 Send for him directly." The baron was summoned to answer 

 for his horse, and acknowledged that he had rendered him mucli 

 service in several campaigns, but being now worn out and 

 useless, he had turned him adrift to provide for his own living. 

 " Very well," said the Duke, " but let me ask you one question : 

 since you have been in years and past service, has the pension 

 which my father granted you been withheld T " No, sire," 

 was the reply ; " it has been punctually paid to me." " Then," 

 said the Duke, "if you would retain your pension, and the 

 character as well of a brave and generous man, go and provide 

 for your old horse, as the state has provided for you." The case 

 of the old baron and his horse is, I fear, but too common even 

 in these enlightened days, and few, very few prove, although all 

 may admit, that justice should extend to the brute creation. 



CHAPTEE VII. 



On stimmerlng in loose lioxes — Various accommodation and means for so doing 

 — A horse requires relaxation as well as a man — Abundance of water ne- 

 cessary — Instance of insatiate thirst — Thirst often caused by irritating 

 over-doses of medicine — Frequent death of horses from inj udicious physic- 

 ing — Subject of summei'ing continued — Loose boxes sometimes a toler- 

 able substitute for turning out — Diet — Over-cramming during the summer 

 to be avoided — Young grass the best and gentlest purgative — Care re- 

 quned when a change is made from green to diy food — Prejudices of some 

 persons against tmrning out to grass — Practice and experience of the 

 author in reference to summering — Observations of Nimrod. 



Many of my readers may recollect the letters of the mighty 

 "Nimrod," on the subject of summering hunters in loose boxes, 

 which gained many advocates for a system which has been con- 

 tinued down to the present day, and it may be considered pre- 

 sumptuous in me to (Question such high authority. I am aware, 

 also, that it is not in the power of every one to give his horse 

 (and I write for the man of one horse, as well as for the master 



