THE MULE. 
309 
he assured me that they drew the same load, namely, three butts, 
as the other teams of three horses — that they stood their work 
equally well, and at about half the expense of keep. Notwith- 
standing, owing to the singularity of their appearance, they could 
not get suitable men that would drive them, and for no other rea- 
son they discontinued to use them. So much for prejudice. 
I need not say more as to their utility, though I am aware of 
some objections that may be urged in their disfavour. One is, a 
quality derived, doubtless, from the ass, namely, an unconquerable 
obstinacy in resisting ill treatment. No severe usage can possibly 
induce a mule to go forward when it is not inclined to do so of its 
own accord, though gentle and kind treatment, generally speaking, 
will. It would be a fortunate circumstance if all our other beasts 
of burden were endowed with the same kind of spirit; for, in that 
case, the feelings of humanity would be less frequently outraged 
than they are at present. Another objection, and which is by far 
the most valid, is, the diminutive size of the general English breed 
— by no means calculated to conciliate the public favour, mules 
being mostly bred from small mares and the English ass. In this 
case the progeny can never be expected to exceed the height of the 
ass, or more than the medium between the sire and the dam. All 
that appears requisite to bring them into more general use is, to 
increase their substance and height, which can only be effected by 
importing male Spanish asses, and breeding from large-sized mares. 
These would produce a stock of sufficient power for any purpose, 
and, I do not hesitate to say, the most profitable stock that can be 
reared. 
About forty years ago, a Mr. Eccleston, of Lancashire, adopted 
this plan ; and I understood it succeeded. Why his example was 
not followed I must leave unexplained — probably it was from the 
difficulty of procuring a Spanish ass. I think no other reason could 
operate, as no doubt, I expect, can exist as to their superior utility 
for carrying burdens, and also for draft, where speed is not required. 
At a step of six or seven miles an hour they are remarkably safe 
and sure-footed, seldom making a false step, but the reverse is the 
case when rode or driven very fast. This I have remarked in many 
instances, besides in two of my own, both capable of trotting twelve 
miles an hour, and remarkably safe, for a few months at a quick 
pace ; but they afterwards both repeatedly fell, even on excellent 
roads, and it could only be accounted for owing to a rigidity of the 
muscles of the legs, communicated, doubtless, from the ass — an ani« 
mal never designed by nature for swiftness, and, therefore, not fur- 
uished with elasticity of muscles similar to the horse. 
Agricola. 
