FOOTNOTES:

Theintelligence of the horse, and his judgment in hesitating to perform feats which, if attempted, must result in dangerous accidents, have afforded many proofs of equine sagacity. On the other hand there are bolters and kickers which indulge in these vices apropos to nothing, and at times when a bad accident must inevitably ensue.

The worst vices of the horse are comprised in thetwofaults I have named. “Bolting” means shying, running away, shifting suddenly out of the road, or turning round short withoutnotice. “Kicking” includes all the damage that can be inflicted on man, carriage, harness, etc., by a living catapult tipped with iron.

There is a third defect—one of character—denominated “sulk.” This is most tiresome and trying, and, if not carefully and promptly dealt with, may never be eradicated.

One thing is quite certain, that punishment will not avail. Patience offers the only chance. If the weather be fine and the driver in no particular hurry, a daily paper is an excellent antidote to this evil.

I knew an instance of a sulky horse being checked when he attempted to move, and forced to stand in one place almost in one position, till his owner had read throughThe Morning Post(advertisements and all), taking care to rustle the paper occasionally in order to let the animal know the cause of his detention. So effectual was this remedy, that his master had only toshow him a newspaper to make him start like a lamb.

WILL HE JUMP?

If, as is sometimes the case, a horse be absolutely determined not to move, and defies all the usual methods of persuasion—holding up the fore-leg, tying whip-cord tightly round his ear, pushing at the wheel, etc.—but throws himself down as if purposing to remain there, nothing is left but to put a wisp of straw under him, and set it alight. This, albeit it sounds cruel, need not inflict the slightest injury—since the horse at once obeys the instinct of alarm and pain, and never forgets the experience; so that straw, without the match, will always be sufficient for the future.

The ready obedience to his rider’s wishes, even when the horse’s own judgment does not confirm them, is another proof of the animal’s generous nature.

We constantly hear of young men sowing wild oats, but therécolteis seldom, if ever, sufficiently successful to enable them to feed their horses upon the produce. There is indeed amornesilence in respect to the germinating of this seed, which suggests the inference that no crop can be expected till the grain has perished and the granary is bare!

A young friend of mine was driving his team through some unfinished streets in one of our favourite marine resorts. Not being much practised in the art of “pointing his leaders” in the direction which he intended to pursue, he allowed them to continue a straight course in a road which had no egress, but was blocked at the end by a dwarf wall three feet in height. A friend on the box beside him, finding he had passed the turn by which he could have got out, called to him:

“Hallo! pull up, man! You can’t get out, and you can’t turn round.”

Slacking his hand and fanning his wheelers, the young Jehu quietly replied:

“Never mind; they can alljump.”

And they did all jump. No refusal. The leaders got clear over without a scratch; the wheelers, having broken the pole and splinter-bar, got over the wall, but of course fell in a confused heap, and were a good deal hurt. The gentlemen on the box were shot to a considerable distance into some “ground to be let for building purposes” which lay convenient, “rubbish” being also shot there!

Many of my readers may remember that during the severe frost in the year that made the fortune of Murphy’s Almanac, Mr. Hunt, the successful rival of Messrs. Day and Martin in the manufacture of blacking, drove his team and drag across the Serpentine; a foolhardyfeat, seeing that the Serpentine was a treacherous lake, and at that time of uncertain depth, both of mud and water.

Another instance, which illustrates forcibly the courage and obedience of the horse, may be in the reader’s recollection.

A gentleman drove his curricle and pair down Box Hill in Surrey, a descending declivity upon which most horses would find it difficult to stand, even without a carriage.

One more example I may adduce—which, had I not been an eye-witness of it, I should find it difficult to believe—illustrates the courage of the horse and the folly of the man.

A dealer was showing a horse, in harness, to a customer who, after a short trial, finding that the animal was likely to suit him, inquired if he would jump. Being assured that hewould, the intending purchaser requested that a hurdle might be set up.

Another gentleman, probably Irish, then assumed the vacant seat in the tilbury, and to the dealer’s utter amazement the horse was dashed at the obstacle.

There was no refusal; the obedient animal bounded at the hurdle (a good stiff one), was brought up by the wheels and shafts of the gig, and tumbled backwards into the vehicle, uninjured.

The results to the gentlemen were less than their folly deserved—a broken collarbone apiece—sprained wrists, and various contusions, at least severe enough to confine them to their beds for several days.

I now humbly submit these my Road Scrapings to the reader, in the earnest hope that I may have, in some measure, cleared the way forthose who are disposed to avail themselves of my suggestions, and enlivened it for those who are not.

THE END.

CHARLES DICKENS AND EVANS, CRYSTAL PALACE PRESS.

FOOTNOTES:[1]This coach was managed and driven by Captain Laurie and Captain Haworth.[2]This mare was in the English stud-book under the name of the “Lawyer’s Daughter.”[3]It is always desirable that the wheelers should start the load, as the leaders, if free starters, may jump into their work, and either spring a bar or bring the coach so suddenly on the wheel-horses that the trial may be too great for the weight of their heels.[4]Silver-mounted harness, with red morocco collars.[5]Heavy road parcels were frequently stowed underneath the coach upon a swinging shelf, called “the cellar.”[6]Possibly tied to it.[7]Corresponding with Tally-ho in fox-hunting, to announce a view.[8]Russell’s waggons took twelve days between Falmouth and London, drawn by eight powerful horses—the driver riding a pony.[9]A part of the waggon kept for passengers.[10]The term “shouldering” referred to many short shillings which were not put upon the way-bill, consequently perquisites of coachmen and guards.[11]So primitive was the manner in which draught-horses were used that I know an instance of horses being attached to a plough by the hair of their tails.[12]The requisition fee for a party in those days was accompanied by the tender of a guinea to the officer in command.

[1]This coach was managed and driven by Captain Laurie and Captain Haworth.

[2]This mare was in the English stud-book under the name of the “Lawyer’s Daughter.”

[3]It is always desirable that the wheelers should start the load, as the leaders, if free starters, may jump into their work, and either spring a bar or bring the coach so suddenly on the wheel-horses that the trial may be too great for the weight of their heels.

[4]Silver-mounted harness, with red morocco collars.

[5]Heavy road parcels were frequently stowed underneath the coach upon a swinging shelf, called “the cellar.”

[6]Possibly tied to it.

[7]Corresponding with Tally-ho in fox-hunting, to announce a view.

[8]Russell’s waggons took twelve days between Falmouth and London, drawn by eight powerful horses—the driver riding a pony.

[9]A part of the waggon kept for passengers.

[10]The term “shouldering” referred to many short shillings which were not put upon the way-bill, consequently perquisites of coachmen and guards.

[11]So primitive was the manner in which draught-horses were used that I know an instance of horses being attached to a plough by the hair of their tails.

[12]The requisition fee for a party in those days was accompanied by the tender of a guinea to the officer in command.

Now ready, in 1 vol. crown 8vo, price 10s.6d.

THE SILVER GREYHOUND.ByMartin E. Haworth, late Captain 60th Rifles, Queen’s Foreign Service Messenger, and M.F.H.

“The charm of these pages consists in the naturalness with which they are penned, the incidents following one another as unexpectedly as they occurred in real life.”—St. James’s Gazette.

Now ready, in 1 vol. demy 8vo, with Map.

AMONG THE SONS OF HAN: Six Years’ Experience of a Lady in China and Formosa. By Mrs.T. F. Hughes.

Now ready, in 2 vols. demy 8vo, price 30s.

THE LIFE OF GEORGE IV., as Prince of Wales, Regent, and King, including his Letters and Opinions; with a View of the Men, Manners, and Politics of his Reign. ByPercy Fitzgerald, M. A., author of “The Life of David Garrick,” “Lives of the Kembles,” &c.

Now ready, in 1 vol. crown 8vo, with an Illustration, price 7s.6d.

MEN WE MEET IN THE FIELD; or, the Bullshire Hounds. ByA. J. Bagot(“Bagatelle”).

Now ready, in stitched wrapper, price 6d.

CHURCH AND STAGE.ByHenry Spicer, author of “Judicial Dramas,” “Winged Words,” &c.

Now ready, in 2 vols, crown 8vo, price 12s.

STUBBLE FARM; or, Three Generations of English Farmers. By the Author of “Ernest Struggles,” &c.

Now ready, in 2 vols, demy 8vo, 900 pages, price 30s.

BERLIN UNDER THE NEW EMPIRE: its Institutions, Inhabitants, Industry, Monuments, Museums, Social Life, Manners, and Amusements. ByHenry Vizetelly, author of “The Story of the Diamond Necklace,” &c. Illustrated with upwards of 400 Engravings from Designs by German Artists.

Now ready, in 2 vols, crown 8vo, price 21s.

LONDON TOWN: Sketches of London Life and Character. ByMarcus Fall. Illustrated byHarry Furniss.

TINSLEY BROTHERS, 8, CATHERINE STREET, STRAND.

NOW READY,

In One Vol. demy 8vo, price Ten Shillings and Sixpence,

AN ACCOUNT OFThe Mohammedan Pilgrimage to Meccah recentlyperformed by an Englishman professingMohammedanism.

By J. F. KEANE (Hajj Mohammed Amin).

At all Libraries and Book-sellers’.

The ATHENÆUM says:

“Those orthodox geographers who were startled by the American outsider’s successful walk into Africa will receive a hardly less severe shock on learning that the pilgrimage to Meccah has been performed by a youngster of five-and-twenty, apparently a sailor by profession, and with none of the special training enjoyed by his few predecessors.... The style of the work, if something eccentric and unconventional, is amusingly direct and natural, and the occasional digressions are as original and characteristic as the rest. His whole narrative, indeed, is a series of pictures.”

PUBLIC OPINION says:

“Mr. Keane has given an account of everything of interest that came under his notice when in Meccah during the pilgrim season 1877-8.... The precarious position of an unbeliever in any wholly Mohammedan town is well known, and Mr. Keane appears to have run many risks; but he has managed to give us his narrative in a modest style, free from all sorts of egotism; and any tale of Meccah that is within the comprehension of the general public will always find auditors.”

The GRAPHIC says:

“It deserves to succeed; for though full of incidents which seem marvellous even to Mr. Keane, it is rich in local colouring.... The book is well written, and deserves to be widely read. Like Captain Burton, Mr. Keane believes in the gold and precious stones of Arabia.”

The LITERARY WORLD says:

“His description of this place [the Haram] and of the ‘holy Kaabah’ is exceedingly full and interesting, and, were it possible, we should like to have given an extract from it. We give instead his description of Meccah.... The book is exceedingly readable, and helps us to a better understanding of modern Mohammedanism.”

The DAILY CHRONICLE says:

“The simplicity of the narrative precludes any idea of book-making; and the scenes described are so fresh that they will awaken considerable interest, and lead the readers to look anxiously for the fresh volume of adventure half promised by the author.”

JOHN BULL says:

“A very entertaining book.... We have little but praise to give to his spirited narrative. He is never dull, and has given us a most graphic picture of his personal experiences when making the pilgrimage to Meccah.... His account of Meccah itself, and of the various pilgrims from different countries who there congregate, is full of interest.”

The GLOBE says:

“The book is full of interest.... The author must have mixed freely with the lower classes of Asiatics, either in Arabia or elsewhere, to be able to give such faithful descriptions of what passes among them when by themselves.... Eminently readable.”

The SUNDAY TIMES says:

“He tells his own story, and gives his own experiences, with graphic power. The book is full of interest.”

VANITY FAIR says:

“Mr. Keane’s account of the pilgrimage to Meccah, in the disguise of a Mohammedan, is both interesting and amusing.”

MANCHESTER POST says:

“The book is a remarkable one—unpretentious, yet absorbing, and crammed full of incidents which have never before been narrated.”

TINSLEY BROTHERS, 8, CATHERINE STREET, STRAND.

Back to Index Next