SENSIBILITY TO KINDNESS 231 



horse understanding at once by the voice for what action 

 he was to prepare, and this ought always to form a part 

 of his education. It is surprising how soon even wild 

 animals and birds become accustomed to our voice, and 

 understand our meaning ; as an instance of which I may 

 mention that, in the month of May last, a pair of moor- 

 hens or water-hens built a nest on the bank of a pond near 

 the house in which I was residing, where they hatched 

 and reared six young birds, which, on my calling the ducks 

 to be fed, swam directly across the water, and came to 

 the lawn to partake of their food, whether grain or meal ; 

 and so impudent had the old cock become that he pecked 

 the ducks when they interfered with his children feeding, 

 and was quite master of the party. 



How much may be expected, then, of that noble and 

 sensible animal, the horse, would his thoughtless owners 

 take the trifling trouble of instructing him in his duties by 

 gentle words and gentle treatment ! 



