THE CHARACTER OF THE EOE;SE. 22i 



The horse is passionately fond of company, indeed 

 many are so to a fault ; for I have seen them refuse to 

 proceed, when, after being ridden or driven by the side 

 of another, their companion has been withdrawn. There 

 are also many horses that appear almost frantic if over- 

 taken and passed on the road by another, and would, if 

 they were allowed, run away. I know an aged grey 

 horse in particular, the property of Mr. Field, the emi- 

 nent veterinary surgeon of Oxford Street, London, 

 who, if passed on the road, it would be impossible to 

 hold, except by a rein especially invented for the pur- 

 pose, I believe, by Mr. Blackwell, saddler, of Oxford 

 Street, and in which he is always driven for safety* 

 although managed with a thread at any other time. 



The horse is not only a bold and intrepid animal, but 

 he also participates in the pleasures of his rider, as seen, 

 by the capering and almost frantic delight manifested 

 before starting for a race, or at the breaking of a fox 

 from cover in the hunting-field. But still he suffers 

 himself to be repressed in his movements, and know* 

 how to govern and how to check the natural vivacity 

 and fire of his temper. He not only yields to the han4> 

 but appears to consult the wishes of his rider, and regu- 

 lates his motions entirely by his master's will; in 

 short, he renounces his very existence to the pleasure of 

 man, and often dies rather than disobey. 



These are features in the character of the horse, the 

 natural qualities of which have been perfected by art, 

 and trained with care and patience to the service of 



