IMPROVED CHARACTER. 153 



approving, in this peculiar instance^ of the use of the 

 warrants which he had intrusted to his care. 



A most material and aojreeable chano^e has taken 

 place in the character and appearance of this class 

 of horse, who may truly be said to have marched 

 with the times. Up to the end of the last century 

 the post-horse was, except in a few instances, an 

 object of commiseration with travellers. With 

 galled sides and sore shoulders, and scarcely a 

 sound limb, he would not go without the lash or 

 spur, whereas he now comes out of his stable in 

 high condition, and runs his ten miles' stage in an 

 hour, with a carriage of the average weight, and 

 twelve, if required, with a light one. He is also 

 seen to perform either of these tasks without being 

 distressed, unless in immoderately hot weather, 

 when humane persons would check his speed. Mon- 

 taigne says, " there is a certain general claim of 

 kindness and benevolence which every creature has 

 a right to from man," a sentiment in which we 

 heartily concur; for although man may be consi- 

 dered as the delegate of Heaven over inferior ani- 

 mals, he has no right to go to the very extremity 

 of his authority. It is, however, much to be feared, 

 that a thoughtless indifference to the sufferings of 

 the post-horse is too frequently to be laid to tra- 

 vellers in our own country, who, without any suffi- 

 cient reason, urge him to a rate of speed which 

 cannot be unattended with sufferinfj. 



The form of the post-horse should resemble that 

 of the hunter which is generally ridden in the 

 deep and close hunting countries of Great Britain ; 



