THE ABUSE OF THE SPUR 



possess a really perfect hack ; that desirable 

 animal must, doubtless, exist somewhere, but, like 

 Pegasus, is more often talked of than seen. 

 Nevertheless, the roadster that carries you to 

 business or pleasure is a sound, active, useful 

 beast, with safe, quick action, good shoulders, of 

 course, and a willing disposition, particularly 

 when turned towards home. How often in a 

 week do you touch it with the spurs ? Once, 

 perhaps, by some bridle-gate, craftily hung at 

 precisely the angle which prevents your reaching 

 its latch or hasp. And what is the result of this 

 little display of vexation ? Your hack gets 

 flurried, sticks his nose in the air, refuses to back, 

 and compels you at last to open the gate with 

 your wrong hand, rubbing your knee against the 

 post as he pushes through in unseemly haste, for 

 fear of another prod. When late for dinner, or 

 hurrying home to outstrip the coming shower, 

 you may fondly imagine that but for " the 

 persuaders " you would have been drenched to 

 the skin ; and, relating your adventures at the 

 fireside, will probably declare that "you stuck the 

 spurs into him the last mile, and came along as 

 hard as he could drive." But, if you were to 

 visit him in the stable, you would probably find 

 his flanks untouched, and would, I am sure, be 

 pleased rather than disappointed at the discovery. 

 Happily, not one man in ten knows /iow to spur 



59 



