15, YORKSHIRE. -263 



not the only caufe of their increafe. When 

 oxen were in common ufe, the roads lay in 

 their natural flat ftate ; deep in winter, and 

 foft to the hoof in fummcr : now they are 

 univerfally a rough caufeway of lime-ftones, 

 in all feafons unfriendly to ihe feet of oxen. 

 Even fhoeing is found incfFcdlual when they 

 go conftantly upon the road. 



Under this change of circumftances it \i 

 no wonder that the ufe of oxen fliouid have 

 declined. On the contrary, it appears to me 

 a matter of furprifc that fo great a number 

 fhould flill be employed; a circumllance 

 •which, in my mind, evinces their utility as 

 beafls of draught. 



Even the timber-carriers (an induflrious, 

 wary fet of men) continue to ufe them ; 

 tho' their fole employment be upon tlie road. 

 They not only find them able to iland v.-crk- 

 ing every day, provided their feet do not fail 

 them ; but what is n.uch in their favour, 

 they are found to ftand long hours htler than 

 hprfes going in the fame pafture. An ox in 

 a good paflure foon fills his belly, and 

 lays himfelf down to reft j whereas a Ihort 

 S 4 fummer's 



