If men's minds could once be dispossessed of tlie pre- 

 posterous notion, that nature, so perfect and beautiful in all 

 her other adaptations, has deviated from her general plan 

 in forming the horse's foot, every difficulty attending one- 

 sided naUing with few nails, woidd vanish like smoke before 

 the wind. I was much struck a short time ago by the 

 following observation, coming as it did from a gentleman, who 

 for some time resisted the plan as an innovation, but, having 

 at length made himself master of its details, ga^'e in his 

 adhesion to it ; he said " there can be no mixing of the 

 " two plans ; one must be entirely right, and the other 

 " absolutehj wrong ; they cannot each be right in some things 

 "and wrong in others." Now sweeping, uncompromising, and 

 dogmatical, as this conclusion at first sight appears to be, 

 and calling, as it seems to do, for the unscru^iulous adoption 

 of new suggestions, to the entire exclusion of former practices ; 

 it will be found nevertheless upon closer inspection to resolve 

 itself into the very modest and equally reasonable require- 

 ment, that the shoe shall be made really and truly to Jit 

 the foot, and be so nailed to it, as to jaermit it to expand. 

 This simjile condition contains all the mystery and all the 

 novelty to be found in the ]Asa-\, advocated by me ; and upon 

 it hinges the certainty, or the impossibility of retaining a shoe 

 with a few nails. If the shoe Jits, it i.« inconceivable, how 

 little will retain it ; but if it does not, then extra fastenings, 

 wherever they can be applied, become absolutely necessary to 

 oppose and overcome the great leverage, offered by the mis- 

 fitting and projecting portions, which are always, be it re- 

 membered, situated at the back jiart of the quarters and heels ; 



