248 INFLUENCE OF KINDNESS 



in the world, for size, symmetry, power, and speed, we 

 are a long way behind other civilised people in their 

 domestic management, and the due appreciation of their 

 most valuable services. We are too much in the habit 

 of considering horses as mere beasts of burden or draught, 

 without regard to those qualities of sagacity and intelli- 

 gence which require encouragement only on our part for 

 their more clear development. It is a common occurrence 

 to see even viciously-disposed horses become gentle and 

 tractable when ridden by ladies, the cause of which is 

 obvious — that they are not insensible to the kind treat- 

 ment received from the fair equestrians, bearing so strong 

 a contrast to the rough usage they almost invariably meet 

 with from their lords and masters. 



THE END 



