TEMPERATE HT7NTEBS. 187 



constantly pricking his pony's side ; or the swell who 

 hires a horse and gig on a Sunday afternoon at the 

 livery stables wantonly, and indiscriminately punish the 

 horse when he is exerting and straining his poor at- 

 tenuated frame and tottering limbs to the very utmost 

 of his power, in their service, and for the gratification 

 of their pleasures. 



But now, as ever will be, I am afraid, to the end of 

 time, the high-mettled racer, the grand-stepping and 

 fashionable carriage horse, the favourite old hunter, 

 and the idolised child's pet pony has only to be afflicted 

 with disease or lameness, and he is at once consigned to 

 drudgery for life, and that, too, when he is least able 

 to bear it; he is too often whipped, spurred, over- 

 wrought, and starved by these cruel, selfish owners, 

 until his career is ended in the ditch, or by the more 

 friendly pole-axe, or blow-pipe of the knacker. 



CHAPTER VI. 



TEMPERATE HUNTEES. 



WHAT a pleasure it is to ride a quiet, clever hunter. 

 Some young sparks are fond of a hot-headed, curvetting; 

 jimcrack bloodstick, which they will coolly tell you is 

 an out-and-out hunter. But look for them when and 

 where a hunter's work has to be done, and you, on your 



