612 THE HORSE. 



rials, and for a thousand purposes. In London, where the 

 largest and finest are in demand for the carts of brewers, the 

 waggons of coal-merchants, and other uses, the stranger 

 sees with admiration the vast number of enormous carriages 

 in endless motion through the crowded streets, drawn by 

 teams of the largest horses in the world : and, doubtless, 

 there is something noble in the aspect of these huge creatures, 

 yoked in lines, and obedient to the voice, amidst all the tu- 

 mult of a great city ; but examination shews, that there is an 

 excessive waste of power, both in the unnecessary bulk of 

 the animals, and in the manner in which their services are 

 performed. They are usually attached in lines, which causes 

 them to pull by sudden jerks, and with unequal force ; and, 

 in turning the corners of narrow streets and lanes, it is often 

 seen that the entire weight of the enormous carriage is 

 thrown, for a time, upon the shaft horse. It is contended by 

 many, that extreme weight and bulk of body are necessary 

 for these horses, to enable them to resist the jolting and sud- 

 den obstacles encountered on the rough pavement, which 

 they never leave. But, in truth, it is habit, and a species of 

 pride, which lead the owners of waggons to prefer the largest 

 and most shewy horses to those of moderate size and more 

 useful action ; for experience cannot but shew, that it is 

 muscular force, and not the vis inertice of great weight of 

 body, which best enables a horse to overcome continued ob- 

 stacles. The mere gratification of taste, however, in the 

 employment of these splendid horses, would scarcely re- 

 quire a passing censure, were it not that this gratification 

 exercises a really hurtful influence in the breeding districts, 

 causing attention to be directed to size and appearance, 

 rather than to useful properties, and tending to perpetuate 

 that unnecessary bulk of body, which constitutes so great 

 a defect in the breed. Nor is this influence unimportant in 

 degree ; for it is to be observed, that the demand for horses 

 of the largest class is not confined to the capital, but extends 

 to all the numerous cities and populous towns where drays 



