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EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
admitting this, however, to have so high a claim — but equally 
so against the imposition of all secret observances in matters 
of science or art. 
Admitting this as a principle, we have been much sur- 
prised to find that noblemen should consent, in answer to 
Mr. Rarey’s application for pupils, to pay their ten guineas 
each to be instructed in the “ magic art,” and be pledged to 
keep it secret. Surely it would have been more truly noble 
and patriotic for these gentlemen to have united and pur- 
chased the secret for the benefit of the country at large. In 
our opinion this attempt at concealment will prove a failure, 
as will also many of the efforts made by them to subjugate 
and render docile vicious horses, for we believe such persons 
are the least adapted to practice the art with success. 
Doubtless much of the power exercised over animals de- 
pends on carrying out the different details of the plan so 
as to suit them to each individual case, and these minutiae 
noblemen and gentlemen will not give heed to. Tact in 
manipulating, combined with firmness and judgment in the 
prosecution of the object, forms, without doubt, no mean 
portion of Mr. Rarey's system. Besides, daily experience 
has hitherto proved the difficulty of completely eradicating 
vicious habits in horses. Often they may be subdued, or 
kept so much in check, as to lead to the supposition that 
they have no existence; but sooner or later, either under 
different management or in different hands, a horse, the sub- 
ject of them, will again give proof of his evil propensities. 
How frequently is it that one man can ride or drive a horse 
with perfect safety, and even with pleasure, when the same 
animal cannot be used by any one else without a risk of 
danger. 
The permanency of Mr. Rarey’s system has yet to be 
proved. If it can eradicate a settled and long existing vice, 
it is invaluable ; if not, it is of little importance. It is possible 
that it may effectually quiet a nervous animal, but as com- 
pletely fail to properly subdue “ a brute.” Settled habits of 
vice and nervous fear are totally different things. We cannot 
remove, or even in many instances amend, the one, while 
