THE NEW YORK FIRE BRIGADE 165 



saying the fact that the stipulated time had been 

 adhered to. 



The horses used by the department were very 

 carefully selected out of a considerable number before 

 those possessing the necessary intelligence could be 

 secured, and then they were trained by being fed with 

 apples, etc., and made thoroughly to understand what 

 was expected of them. 



As the engine moved off, another engine came up 

 from under it and took its place, when, if necessary, an 

 alarum bell was sounded close to the heads of the team 

 of horses which were next for duty, and so on until the 

 full complement of engines required for service at a 

 large fire were started in the most incredibly short 

 time. Everything appeared to be worked by elec- 

 tricity, and when the weight of one engine was taken 

 off the lift, another at once made its appearance from 

 below. 



I think that the head of our own fire brigade in 

 London would do well to visit the New York establish- 

 ment and get a few hints from Mr. Purroy, who, when 

 he visited Europe some few years ago, was made so 

 much of in France and Germany ; and, if I may be 

 allowed to make the remark, I think that some con- 

 siderable benefit to our own style of management 

 might accrue from such a visit, for, judging from what 

 I heard, Mr. Purroy considered that out of the three 

 principal cities in Europe, the Fire Department in 

 London was the worst managed. 



From the foregoing it will be seen that horses can 

 be taught to think and act for themselves, just as easily 

 as dogs can be so trained. In the performance I have 

 described, each horse was trained to know his own part. 



