28S REVIEW.-BRIDGEWATER TH EATISES. No. 9. 
we are more intimately acquainted with it than himself—we mean 
with the metaphysics of the huoijhni/mn. We are willing to 
allow that the affections of the lower animals, between indi¬ 
viduals of the same species, are observable only in a few in¬ 
stances. We take the horse species for an example; for, in 
general, they are indifferent to each others’ joys or sufferings, 
and regardless of the treatment experienced by their companions; 
but by what peculiar instinct is it, if it is not that of sympathy, 
that the noble animal, the horse, will at once perceive the slight¬ 
est change in his master’s physical temperament, and allow him¬ 
self so to be influenced by it, that, according as his master’s 
spirits fluctuate, will his own energies rise and fall, wavering 
, From walk to trot, from canter to full speed.” 
We are certain that no servant partakes so much of the cha¬ 
racter of the master as the horse; he becomes a portion, as it 
were, of ourselves ; he thinks and feels with us ; as we are lively, 
he is sprightly; as w^e are distressed, his courage droops. In 
proof of this, let the reader see w'hat horses some men make— 
make we say, because, in such hands their character is wholly 
altered, partaking, in a measure, of the courage and the firm¬ 
ness of the hand that guides them, and of the resolution of the 
frame that sways them. What that rider wills, they do, or 
strive to do. When their governing power is relaxed, their ener¬ 
gies are relaxed likewise; and their fine sensibilities supply them 
with an instant knowledge of the disposition and capacity of the 
rider. If this is not the instinct of sympathy, we know not what 
to call it. More striking examples might be produced between the 
elephant and his driver, and the dog and his master. We cannot 
divest ourselves of the persua^on, that the movements of the 
higher classes of animals are directed, like our own, to obvious 
ends, and that they proceed from voluntary acts, and imply the 
operation of an intellect not wholly dissimilar in its spiritual 
essence from our own, In vain may Descartes and his follow'ers 
labour to sustain the paradox, that brutes are only automata— 
mere pieces of artificial mechanism, insensible either to pleasure 
or to pain, and incapable of internal affections analogous to those 
of which we are conscious in ourselves. Their sophistry will 
avail but little against the plain dictates of the understand¬ 
ing. 
We conclude our review, by requesting those who are dis¬ 
satisfied with our imperfect sketch, to obtain the work itself. 
In a future No. of The Veterinarian it is our intention to 
review the Treatise of Sir C. Bell, last in order, but not least in 
our estimation. 
K. 
