contrast their dawdling, inert movements with the prompt, 

 vigorous decision of the well accustomed stableman, who is 

 stripped to the shirt, has the bridle and stirrups in hand, girths 

 loose, and hunting martingale off before the other poor ninny 

 has got his shirt sleeves turned up. 



When at length Dribbles does begin to hiss, the chances 

 are he does nothing but tease and tickle the animal with his 

 ill-arranged whisp, or having scraped a certain quantity of 

 mud off its bell}' he will proceed forthwith to plaister it about 

 the ears by way of making it comfortable about the head. 

 The real workman having disencumbered the horse of his 

 bridle will shake his litter up, sponge his eyes, nose, and 

 mouth, and give him his gruel. We like to see the hunter 

 getting his gruel, it must be as refreshing to him as a bason 

 of soup to a tired man. Then he will give him a bit of hay, 

 which will occupy the horse and keep him from snatching and 

 biting at the man or the manger. Sponging under the tail and 

 all about is a grand thing, and we should like to see more of 

 it. Pulling the ears, too, is a thing all horses like, and doubt- 

 less tends much to make them comfortable about the head. 

 Real good powerful strapping is quite as essential towards 

 condition as feeding and exercise. Some fellows only strip 

 horses and starve them. 



Ascending a little in the scale of stable servitude, we will 

 take a glance at the Second Horseman. The Second Horse- 

 man should know a little about hunting, and a good deal of 

 the country in which his performances are required. This 

 knowledge of hunting should be sufficient to keep him from 

 doing mischief, at all events, while his knowledge of the 

 country, and of the usual runs of foxes, should enable him to 

 have his horse up, when wanted, fresh and fit to go on. 



Looking at the second-horse system in its ordinary every- 

 day aspect, we cannot, however, help saying, that there is a 

 good deal of flash and humbug, in the majority of instances, 



