MISCELLANEA. 
537 
A War-Horse. 
“I had a black, savage horse, named Barbary, which was sold 
to me by Lieutenant Strenowitz, a very gallant German officer, 
honourably mentioned in Napier’s history. His crimes and mis- 
demeanours had been manifold ; but he was a showy animat, of 
a glossy black, and a strong, active, and perfect horse, in the 
fullest sense of the word. Yet on more than one occasion had 
he so ungenerously behaved, that the order to slay him was on 
the point of being issued. Once, when I visited his stall, 
and put my hand on his neck to caress him, he seized me by 
the breast with his teeth ; and if I had not made a desperate 
struggle to escape, and pommelled him well with my fists about 
the eyes, but especially if my vest and shirt had not given 
way, he would, in all probability, have dragged me under his 
fore feet, and killed me outright. I had the marks of his broad 
teeth on my breast- bone for three weeks. 
“ When my servant was showing off this amiable animal in the 
horse market, an elderly French gentleman was struck with his 
appearance, and asked his age and price. He then moved round 
him, scanning his points critically; and afterwards made the 
man walk, trot, and canter him. This ordeal being passed satis- 
factorily, the buyer examined the joints, feet, and eyes ; and after 
a long meditative pinch from his snuff-box, proceeded to inspect 
his mouth. Barbary had hitherto undergone these liberties with 
forbearance and equanimity ; but when this last freedom was 
taken with his person he uttered a fierce yell, seized the poor 
man bv the shoulder, and proceeded to worry him as a terrier 
would a rat. The crowd ran to the rescue ; sticks and stones 
rained on Barbary, and he was obliged to drop his prey before 
he had committed actual homicide. Of course, all chance of sale 
for that day was over the wounded gentleman talked of getting 
him shot by the authority of the mayor; but Jonathan Wild 
jumped on his back, the crowd opened right and left, and he 
soon was in his own stable four leagues off. 
‘‘I sold this man-eater to a Spanish Capitraz of Muleteers for 
two doubloons, though he was worth ten or twelve. He soon 
commenced his tricks with his new master, but he met with his 
equal in the biting department. These hardy fellows are accus- 
tomed to ferocity as well as stubbornness in their mules, and know 
well how to subdue them. The last time I saw 7 Mr. Barbary, he 
appeared in considerable distress, but I had no pity to bestow 7 
upon him. His new 7 master was clinging to one of his ears with 
his teeth, whilst a muleteer with a long cudgel was belabouring 
his ribs on the other side, as hard as he could strike. Under 
• VOL. XVI. 4 c 
