42 BRITISH QUADRUPEDS. 



seen to climb fearlessly on the inoffensive creatures, 

 which permit them to play and caress them without 

 injury. An Arab never beats his horse ; he speaks to 

 him in the language of friendship. The faithful servant 

 evinces equal attachment to his master, and is so tract- 

 able, as readily to stop at his bidding, even in the 

 midst of his most rapid course. 



One instance of the attachment of an Arab to his 

 mare has often been given, but it is worthy repetition. 

 This valuable animal was his whole stock ; and the 

 French consul offered to purchase her for his sovereign, 

 Louis xiv. The Arab would have rejected the pro- 

 posal at once, but he had no means of supplying his 

 most urgent wants ; he had scarcely a rag to cover 

 him, his wife and children were starving ; while the 

 sum offered was great, and would provide him and his 

 family with food for life. At length, with great re- 

 luctance, he consented to the purchase. He brought 

 the mare to the dwelling of the consul, he dismounted, 

 he stood leaning upon her, he looked first at the 

 gold, and then at his favourite, he sighed, he wept. 

 " To whom is it," said he, " that I am going to yield 

 thee up 1 To Europeans, who will tie thee close, 

 who will beat thee, who will render thee miserable. 

 Return with me, my beauty, my jewel, and rejoice the 



