156 Our Noblest Friend, The Horse 



woman is justified in assuming such risks — for the 

 general pubhc, to whom she is a perpetual danger, is 

 worthy of as much or more consideration than she 

 herself deserves when she thus tempts fate. Remem- 

 ber the horse's limitations — that he is foolish and 

 timid — and beware how you trust to the tempera- 

 ment that is so placid among familiar sights and 

 sounds, so panic-stricken if anything unexpected or 

 startling to it occurs. No one can afford to keep a 

 horse — really afford it in every sense — unless he 

 can also afford to hire a man; not a dull lump of a 

 born wood-hewer and water-drawer, but an experi- 

 enced, able servant, who shall accompany the wife 

 and family upon all drives, etc. — and shame on the 

 male who through false economy neglects these pre- 

 cautions. He is as recreant to his duties as husband 

 and father as to those devolving upon the good 

 citizen; for as he must safeguard his own, so 

 should he allow no property of his to threaten injury 

 and death to the public at large. Thus equipped 

 any ordinarily trained animal is " safe for family 

 use " — hut otherwise, none is. Cases may be cited 



