214 
THE CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY 
the Cabinet, would be entirely insufficient, neither would it 
be desirable, as the club have already, under the direction 
of a committee appointed for the purpose, drawn up full 
directions on the subject, which are published in a neat 
volume, called the Archer’s Manual, by Mr. R. H. Hobson, 
of this city, a work amply sufficient to direct the necessary 
practice of an Archer, to the highest grade of skill. For 
amusement and further instruction in this pleasing act, I 
beg leave to refer the aspirant to “ Ascham’s Toxophilus,” 
a copy of which, if I am not mistaken, is in the Philadel- 
phia Library. 
The prize of 1828, a silver arrow, was taken by 
the secondary prize of that year, a broach set with tour- 
quoise, by J . 
That of 1829, a silver goblet became the property of 
^ : the secondary prize of this year, six English arrows, 
the property of ^ • For t ^ ie ^ ast y ears ’ prize, a silver 
bugle, ^ was again the successful competitor, and Q) 
took the secondary, a silver grease box. 
The prizes for this year are, for the first, a badge of sil- 
ver, with appropriate Archery devices; and for the secon- 
dary, a clasp for the belt, also with appropriate devices, 
the designs for which are from the pencil of our worthy 
associate 3 > distinguished alike for his taste and talent as 
an artist, and the vigour of his arm as an accomplished 
bowman. 
The contest for these prizes will, I have no doubt, be 
ably and zealously contested, and will afford much interest 
to the parties and their friends. 
For the information of those who may wish to be fur- 
nished with bows and arrows, I beg leave to state, that 
Mr. William Bent, under the patronage of the club, has 
become a proficient in the manufacture of these articles; 
his shop is in Library-street, near to Fifth. 
If the subject is deemed of sufficient interest, I purpose 
to give you, in a future number, an account of our next 
prize shooting, which takes place in September. 
Yours, truly, ^ 
ON THE VICIOUS HABITS AND PROPENSITIES OF HORSES. 
By Thomas R. Yare. 
(From the London Sporting Magazine, ) 
CRIB-BITING. 
Buffon says, “horses in their natural state are by no 
means ferocious; they are only wild and fiery;” and it may 
be added with equal truth, that they are not naturally 
vicious: for their ill tempers, as well as manners, originate 
entirely from defective education and rough handling. 
Harsh usage and punishment are of no avail as correc- 
tives; for under cruel discipline the horse becomes more 
obstinate, morose, and irritable, and is very soon rendered 
dangerous of approach. If, on the contrary, you use him 
kindly, and he finds that, instead of a tyrant, he has a 
friend about him, he will be under your hands as tractable 
as a lamb: in fact, so subservient that you may do any 
thing with him — for it is well known to those acquainted 
with the nature of the horse, that no animal is more suscep- 
tible of soothing, nor more docile and grateful for gentle 
usage, as he invariably evinces cheerfulness on the approach 
of the person from whom he receives kind treatment. 
An occupation for which I have always felt a peculiar 
partiality, has been the study of the temper and disposition 
of the horse, and from the observations I have in conse- 
quence made, am convinced, that a multiplicity of errors 
are committed from ignorance of his true character in the 
rearing and tuition of that noble animal, which afterwards 
fall heavily and very unjustly on him. 
Many horses have been entrusted to my care for correc- 
tion, under the supposition that they were bad tempered or 
viciously disposed, which, in other hands, would, without 
doubt, have been acted upon accordingly — i. e. rendered 
more faulty by harsh proceedings. On acquaintance with 
them, I have generally found the poor animals to be only 
nervous and irritable from ill treatment, rather than vicious 
by nature; in short, “more sinned against than sinning:” 
for no sooner had I gained their confidence, than the tre- 
mulous awe and timidity they evinced on being approach- 
ed, totally disappeared; and after a short trial, I have re- 
turned them to their owners divested of the alleged com- 
plaints, with this simple injunction, or something tanta- 
mount to it, “Use them kindly: for vicious conduct makes 
vicious horses;” at the same time urging them to bear in 
mind, “ that the horse is naturally of a gentle disposition, 
and much disposed to associate with man.” 
This may be exemplified by any gentleman recollecting 
the pleasure a horse seems to feel when noticed and caress- 
ed by himself; )*et, on scrutiny, the same demonstrations 
of joy will not take place on the approach of the attendant. 
Education generally imparts humanity and feeling to its 
possessor; and a gentleman enjoying these qualities more 
eminently than his domestics, the animal’s discrimination 
causes him to recognise a difference in the behaviour of 
each towards him. 
Grooms are too prone to be harsh and hasty towards the 
horse ; whereas, if they would only study to make a 
a pleasure of their duty, they would considerably abbre- 
viate the routine of their labour. In consequence of erro- 
neous conduct, horses will occasionally acquire a character 
for viciousness amongst stable men, which cannot be sub- 
