12 KALM'S ENGLAND. 



All English horses, at least as many as I saw, have 

 had the tail, svantsen, cut off about six inches from the 

 root, so that the whole stump of the tail was only four or 

 six inches long. On my asking the reason of this, some 

 Englishmen have answered that it is the custom of the 

 country to have the horses so bob-tailed, stump- 

 svantsiga. 



But must it not be considered a reason that the tail 

 has been docked, because, when they are harnessed all in 

 a row, and close behind each other the horse going before 

 may not strike the next in the eyes with his dirty and 

 muddy tail ? The wagons which are used here are fright- 

 fully large, with very high wheels, and are loaded with an 

 [T. I. p. 169] astonishing weight. Hence it happens 

 that no roads in this country can stand against them, 

 Sta bi, but the large and heavy wagon and cart-wheels 

 cut deep ruts in the road, in the same way as happens 

 on the roads with our rocks, Bergslagor, in Sweden. 

 [Defoe's advice was not carried out till some years after 

 this date]. 



The 18th March, 1748. 



Pafoglars nytta— The use of Pea-fowls. Some 

 English gentlemen kept at their own houses a great many 

 Peafowls, Peahens, but particularly Peacocks, which 

 they did, partly because these fowls are very beautiful 

 and showy, partly and principally because their young are 

 one of the best flavoured steaks, stekar, which can be 

 desired. They are fed in the winter time with corn in 

 the same way as hens. 



Rena galf, etc. — Clean floors, etc. — English women 

 generally have the character of keeping floors, steps, and 

 such things very clean. They are not particularly pleased 

 if anyone comes in with dirty shoes, and soils their clean 

 floors, but he ought first to rub his shoes and feet very 



