THE GROOM 



135 



be considered the lesjitimate duties of his office. In the 

 humbleness of our ignorance we have confounded them with 

 the Second Horsemen, though we believe there is a distinc- 

 tion, without, perhaps, much difference. The " Pad Groom," 

 we rather think, forms the sort of appendage to his master 

 that the can sometimes does to the dog's tail — while the 

 Second Horseman may flourish about the countr}', so long as 

 he keeps on the line of the hounds. The "Pad Groom" 

 should act as pioneer, and be always read}' to ram through a 

 bullfinch, or blind fence, it being derogatory to a gentleman 

 to risk his neck, when he can afford to keep a man for the 

 purpose. Paddy should be an adept at opening gates, throw- 

 ing down walls, breaking rails, and great generally in the art of 

 destruction. 



If the Master should be unlucky enough to kill his horse, he 

 would then take the " Pad Groom's;" in which case, as the 

 latter would most likely have to "pad the hoof home," it is 

 not impossible that some such catastrophe may have led to the 

 creation of the title ; or, it may be that the " pad," on the 

 death of the fox, is consigned to the guardianship of this hero 

 b\- ambitions claimants. 





