9 



12 A LUSUS NATURE. 



sities. He will not learn any thing but submission by 

 all this, and very probably not that to any useful ex- 

 tent : so, before we can render him obedient, it is most 

 likely he has become so sullen in temper that nothing 

 can be done Avith him as a horse for exhibition. 



I have heard some old persons speak of a horse 

 named Chiliby. This animal was a perfect savage, 

 and would Avoriy any one attempting to approach 

 him. It Avas contemplated to bait him with bull-dogs, 

 and I believe advertisements or handbills were pub- 

 lished to that effect ; but the legislature most probably 

 interfered, and prevented the revolting exhil:>ition. 

 He was then either given to or bought by Astley, the 

 first founder of tlie theatre still known by his name. 

 He tamed this savage so far as to exhibit him in the 

 ring, and when tied down by bearing, gag, and side, 

 reins, he permitted himself to be ridden by the late 

 Mrs. Bland, then Miss Romanzini, but nothing more 

 than this could be made of him. I have been told, 

 that, though when covered by the large saddle and 

 saddle-cloths he looked showy enough, he was a mere 

 skeleton. Astley was accused of cruelty towards this 

 horse, and I believe gained less credit than odium by 

 his exhibition. I quite agree with the public opinion 

 that it would have been far better to shoot such an 

 animal ; but if it was thought advantageous or desirable 

 to tame so thoroughly inexorable a brute, nothing but 

 lowering his general system by deprivation of nou- 

 rishment and rest, could keep his indomitable temper 

 and ferocity within bounds ; for though I am quite 

 certain that in nine cases in ten kindness will succeed 

 with a bad temper much better than severity, I have 

 no doubt kindness was in the first instance tried with 

 this horse till it was found of no effect. I was once 



