GEOOMING. 55 



smoke when performing tlie duties of the stable, when washing 

 the carriage, or cleaning the harness. They sometimes wash 

 themselves ; and then by the appearance of the dirt at the back 

 of their countenance, any one would suppose the act had only 

 been accomplished by forcing the neck of the fellow into a 

 pillory. Such men are aU sibilation and breeches. 



The methodical man wiU in all probability proceed as fol- 

 lows : — He first presents water to his horses, and immediately 

 afterwards gives them corn. He then removes the straw, and 

 separates the wet portion from the dry. The wet is carried 

 away along with the manure. The dung is next picked out of 

 the hind feet. The stable is swept in a somewhat hasty man- 

 ner, and a small portion of straw is then spread Tinder the feet 

 of the horses. He next carefully cleans the quarters of the 

 horses with a wet water brush. One of the horses is then turned 

 round in the stall ; the head collar, as well as the nostrils, is 

 sponged ; and the head, neck, shoulders, breast, and fore limbs 

 are by the agency of comb, wisp, brushes, and dusters, dressed 

 thoroughly in every part. The horse is then turned back in 

 the stall ; the body rug is removed, and the body and hind parts 

 are dressed as thoroughly, and in the same regular manner as 

 the parts already described. The Hmbs are next hand-rubbed. 

 The mane and tail are brushed and combed, and the horse is 

 considered dressed. The next duty is to shake the clothing, to 

 re-adjust it to the body, and fix it securely by means of the 

 surcingle. The second horse undergoes a course precisely similar 

 to the one described. The straw is straightened, and the stable 

 made orderly and fit to meet the scrutiny of a connoisseur. He 

 then gives each animal a portion of hay, when the duties of the 

 morning may be considered as satisfactorily performed, and 

 the worthy individual justly entitled to his breakfast. 



The duties at night may vary to a greater extent. Let the 



