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MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
ass: Joseph’s brethren rode on asses, when they went 
down to Egypt to purchase com ; and we are told that 
when Moses left Jethro, his father-in-law, he took his 
wife and his sons, and set them upon asses, and returned 
to Egypt. In the enumeration of Job’s property, which 
appears to have been very great, we find, that he had five 
hundred she-asses; and in his prosperity he is said to have 
had a thousand. It is probable that the preference given 
to she-asses arose from the circumstance, that as the ass can 
subsist on a scanty and coarse fare, the female would not 
only bear the riders and their goods through the desert, but 
also with her milk contribute to the support of her master 
and his followers. 
The ass is by no means that stupid animal which he is 
generally supposed to be. He possesses all the senses in a 
very high degree, and his perceptions are clear and precise; 
and it may be affirmed that he has more solid good qualities 
than the horse. His disposition is naturally timid ; hence 
the caution of his movements, which the thoughtless have 
improperly attributed to stupidity and obstinacy. 
The ass is robust in constitution, and is liable to few dis¬ 
eases. His temperance is very great, being able to subsist 
on a scanty meal, of the coarsest herbage. He is more 
sure-footed than the horse, and superior to him in compara¬ 
tive strength. The Hebrew word athor is a term for the 
ass, from a root which signifies strong or firm ; and he is less 
easily startled than the horse, a failing in this quadruped 
by which many lose their lives. Those very qualities 
which unthinking men ought to appreciate, have, on the 
contrary, the effect of bringing upon the unfortunate and 
patient animal an overwhelming load of unmerited hard¬ 
ships, barbarous chastisement, and contempt. His services 
are despised by the rich; and he is destined only to share the 
