150 MULES, AND THEIR ADAPTABILITY 



donkeys most undeservedly are treated in 

 this country — that is, with utter contempt 

 and neglect. I say usually, for there 

 are some high-class mules employed in 

 England, but they are very few and far 

 between. 



To understand the merits of the mule 

 those of the donkey must be first appre- 

 ciated, and this of course cannot he until 

 that much abused animal is rationally treated, 

 since it must be apparent to every reflective 

 person that, were the horse treated as un- 

 generously as the ass has habitually been, 

 he would either cease to exist, or become 

 dwarfed to the size and capacity of the 

 scrubbiest pony. Now, the distinguishing 

 traits of the ass are hardihood, endurance, 

 sureness of foot, and immense strength for 

 his bulk, while for " gameness " at a dead 

 pull he is unsurpassed, if not unequalled, 

 by any breed of horse. I had my eyes 

 opened to this conspicuous merit in the 



