150 THE POCKET AND THE STUD. 



thing should be clone," than to give directions 

 that are absurd or useless ; or, if they should be 

 judicious, to pretend they are the result of his 

 own judgment, for servants are quick-sighted 

 enough in these particulars ; and if they are worth 

 having, though they will evade obeying useless 

 directions, will obey proper ones, come from what 

 source they may : and the next best thing to being 

 able to direct yourself, is letting your people know 

 you act on the judgment of one who is. They 

 will then know it is useless to attempt to reason 

 or argue — a talent that some have in great per- 

 fection, and are very free in using, if permitted 

 to do so. 



If a servant who knows his master understands 

 but little of horses refuses to listen to directions 

 from one deputed to give them (who, of course, 

 nmst be competent to do so), depend on it the 

 refusal has its origin in one or all of the following 

 causes: — ill-temper, idleness, self-sufficiency, or 

 an intent to plunder. Most servants will kick at 

 first in submitting to what I recommend their 

 masters to do. I neither blame a servant nor a 

 horse for kicking if they are imposed upon, and 

 with either would be the last to give them reason 

 to do so. I have had both kick stoutly ; but I do 

 not mind a little larking under certain circum- 

 stances — it keeps one alive. Now some horses, 

 figuratively speaking, like some servants, will 



