GREY.—TheCOLOURof aHORSEis so called, where dark-coloured orBLACKhairs are proportionally intermixed withWHITE: some of those are beautifully mottled upon the rump, down the hind quarters, and across the gaskins, and are then calledDAPPLED GREYS. It is admitted by the old proverb, and verified by all opinions, that "aGOODhorse can never be of aBADcolour:" there is, however, an exception to the adage, in a white or a light grey; for, by laying down with the hind quarter, on one side or the other, in the dung newly fallen, it is no uncommon thing to have a dailywashing, anddrying, before a horse of such colour can be taken out of the stable either toWORKor toEXERCISE.
.—TheCOLOURof aHORSEis so called, where dark-coloured orBLACKhairs are proportionally intermixed withWHITE: some of those are beautifully mottled upon the rump, down the hind quarters, and across the gaskins, and are then calledDAPPLED GREYS. It is admitted by the old proverb, and verified by all opinions, that "aGOODhorse can never be of aBADcolour:" there is, however, an exception to the adage, in a white or a light grey; for, by laying down with the hind quarter, on one side or the other, in the dung newly fallen, it is no uncommon thing to have a dailywashing, anddrying, before a horse of such colour can be taken out of the stable either toWORKor toEXERCISE.
GREYHOUND.—The particular species ofDOGpassing under the denomination ofgreyhound, was formerly calledGAZEHOUND, and is at the present day more universally known by the appellation ofLONG DOGin many parts of the kingdom. The breed has been at all times carefully cultivated by the lovers of coursing, but has never been brought to so great a degree of enthusiastic perfection, as since the establishment of the differentCOURSING CLUBSandSOCIETIESin Norfolk, Essex, Berkshire, and the Flixton Wolds of Yorkshire. The members of each have, with an unremitting perseverance, endeavoured to excel each other with an unalloyed spice ofSPORTING EMULATION: the lateLord Orford; theMarquisofTownsend;Colonel Thornton, of Thornville Royal;Major Topham, of the Wolds, and theReverendH. Bate Dudley, of the Bradwell and Tillingham Club, in Essex, are those who have excelled every competitor, and improved the breed to the highest possible state of perfection.
.—The particular species ofDOGpassing under the denomination ofgreyhound, was formerly calledGAZEHOUND, and is at the present day more universally known by the appellation ofLONG DOGin many parts of the kingdom. The breed has been at all times carefully cultivated by the lovers of coursing, but has never been brought to so great a degree of enthusiastic perfection, as since the establishment of the differentCOURSING CLUBSandSOCIETIESin Norfolk, Essex, Berkshire, and the Flixton Wolds of Yorkshire. The members of each have, with an unremitting perseverance, endeavoured to excel each other with an unalloyed spice ofSPORTING EMULATION: the lateLord Orford; theMarquisofTownsend;Colonel Thornton, of Thornville Royal;Major Topham, of the Wolds, and theReverendH. Bate Dudley, of the Bradwell and Tillingham Club, in Essex, are those who have excelled every competitor, and improved the breed to the highest possible state of perfection.
Czarinawas bred by the lateLord Orford;JupiterandClaret, byColonel Thornton;Snowball, byMajor Topham;Miller, by the ReverendH. B. Dudley; andSchoolboy, by the celebratedMr.(Vauxhall)Clarke. Czarina, the grand-dam of Snowball, was purchased at the late Lord Orford's sale by Colonel Thornton, with an intent to improve the breed, in which he was notdisappointed. She wonFORTY-SEVENmatches in Norfolk, Wiltshire, and Yorkshire, andneverwas beat. She displayed no signs of producing progeny tillthirteen years old, when she brought fortheight whelps, got byJupiter, who all lived, and ran in high form.
Snowballwas got byClaret, (one of the eight whelps of Czarina,) and supposed to be, taken "for all in all," the surest dog tokillandtake upthat ever ran. He wonFOUR CUPS,COUPLES, and upwards of thirty matches; one of which was so severe, that his opponent (a dog ofMr. Plumer's) died immediately after the course.Claretwas got by youngJupiter, out of oldCzarina; he challenged all Yorkshire, which was twice accepted; one match he won; and received forfeit for the other.
That truly celebrated dog, theMiller, was so large, awkward, and clumsey, when a puppy, that he had been nearly thrown aside, and not thought worthy of being brought into the field; but a friend of Mr. Dudley's having borrowed him, took him to the Marshes at St. Osyth, where, at only twelve months old, he won several matches in one day against the best dogs in the field. Having thus accidentallyranhimself intoreputation, he was, at his return, introduced to more powerful, at least morepopular, opponents, where, however, he forSEVEN YEARSmaintained his superiority, duringSEVENTY-FOURsuccessiveMATCHES, withouthaving been beaten. He is at present a stallion in great estimation, as all the stock he has yet produced are excellent runners.
Schoolboywas of great celebrity; he was bred bySir C. Bunbury, and got by Dr. Frampton'sFop, out of Sir Charles'sMiss: he ran a great number ofMATCHESfor very considerable sums, particularly overNewmarket, andneverwasbeat. Several of his get have been sold for twenty guineas each, asTroy,Traveller, andLilly; all very good runners.
Mr. Daniel, who, in his "Rural Sports," has given most beautiful and admirably executed portraits ofCzarina,Maria,Venus, andClaret, engraved by Scott, has also introduced the following, as a criterion of comparative speed between the race-horse and the greyhound. "A match was to have been run over Doncaster course, in the December of 1800, for one hundred guineas; but one of the horses having been drawn, a mare started alone, to make good the bet, and, after having gone the distance of about a mile, a greyhound bitch started from the side of the course, and ran with her the other three miles, keeping nearly head to head, which produced a singular race; and when they reached the distance post, five to four was betted on theGREYHOUND; when they came to the stand, it waseven betting; but the mare won by about a head."
A variety of singular occurrences respecting the invincible ardour and velocity, as well as persevering fortitude, of greyhounds, might be introduced, but a few must suffice. In February, 1800, abraceofGREYHOUNDScoursed a hare upwards offour milesin a straight line from where she was found, (exclusive of turns,) when sheran herself deadbefore she was touched by the dogs.
A famous dog of the Reverend Mr. Corsellis, who chanced to be wind-bound at Dover, coursed a hare, who had beat a variety of pursuers in that neighbourhood, when the dog proved so superior to her in speed, and pressed her so close, that she ran immediately for the cliff, as her only chance of escaping; but the greyhound threw at, and caught her at the brink, going with her in his mouth to thebottomof theprecipice, where they were literallydashedtopieces. In 1797, a brace of greyhounds coursed a hare over the edge of a chalk-pit, at Offham, in Sussex, and both hare and dogs were found dead at the bottom. In December, 1794, a company of gentlemen were coursing at Finchingfield, in Essex, when a hare was started, and a brace of greyhounds starting from two different points, ran against each other with so much violence that they bothdied on the spot.
The greyhound is always mild and inoffensive, and his fidelity cannot be better described than inthe words of the unfortunateCharles I.who said, amidst his courtiers, during his troubles, that "theGREYHOUNDhad all the good-nature of theSPANIEL, without hisfawning."
GRIPES.—The disorder this term is meant to imply, is more properly distinguished by the appellation ofINFLAMMATORY CHOLIC, and is much more painful and dangerous than that species of intestinal complaint known by the name ofFLATULENT CHOLIC, orFRET. The inflammatory cholic, orGRIPES, proceeds from a painful obstruction in the intestines, occasioned by an accumulation of indurated excrement, which must bemollified, andremoved, beforeEASEcan be obtained. In cases of this kind, no time should be lost, the intestines being preternaturally distended beyond the original intention of Nature, the pain is most excruciating, the state of the animal dreadful; and, unless relief is very speedily procured,INFLAMMATIONof theBOWELSimmediately comes on,MORTIFICATIONfollows, andDEATHensues.
.—The disorder this term is meant to imply, is more properly distinguished by the appellation ofINFLAMMATORY CHOLIC, and is much more painful and dangerous than that species of intestinal complaint known by the name ofFLATULENT CHOLIC, orFRET. The inflammatory cholic, orGRIPES, proceeds from a painful obstruction in the intestines, occasioned by an accumulation of indurated excrement, which must bemollified, andremoved, beforeEASEcan be obtained. In cases of this kind, no time should be lost, the intestines being preternaturally distended beyond the original intention of Nature, the pain is most excruciating, the state of the animal dreadful; and, unless relief is very speedily procured,INFLAMMATIONof theBOWELSimmediately comes on,MORTIFICATIONfollows, andDEATHensues.
GROGGY—is a knowing term, peculiar to the lower order of stabularian and horse-dealing gentry, and implies atendernessanddefectin action, either from aCHESTorFOOT FOUNDER, or an injury sustained in theback sinews, as mentioned under the headGorged. Horses of this description, although they come apparentlycrippledout of the stable,yet, when the circulation is increased by action, and the stiffness gone off as the perspiration comes on, their exertion is incredible, and their endurance of fatigue beyond conception. These are the kind of horses by which theinferiorkind ofJOBBERSobtain a livelihood, in supplying thePOST-WORKupon theroads, and theHACKNEY COACH-MASTERSof theMetropolis.
—is a knowing term, peculiar to the lower order of stabularian and horse-dealing gentry, and implies atendernessanddefectin action, either from aCHESTorFOOT FOUNDER, or an injury sustained in theback sinews, as mentioned under the headGorged. Horses of this description, although they come apparentlycrippledout of the stable,yet, when the circulation is increased by action, and the stiffness gone off as the perspiration comes on, their exertion is incredible, and their endurance of fatigue beyond conception. These are the kind of horses by which theinferiorkind ofJOBBERSobtain a livelihood, in supplying thePOST-WORKupon theroads, and theHACKNEY COACH-MASTERSof theMetropolis.
GROOM—is the appellation by which a person is known who is a complete and perfect master of every part of stable discipline; if he is not so, it is a prostitution of the word to admit the term; and in any other point of view, he can rank innoother degree than acommon stable-boy. The qualifications necessary to formA GROOMof superior excellence, are almost as numerous and distinguishing as those admitted to be requisite for the formation of aMINISTERofSTATE: obedience, fidelity, patience, mildness, diligence, humanity, and honesty, are equally indispensible; without the whole of which, he may beentitledto the denomination ofa strapperin a stable-yard; but will never prove worthy to be thoughtA GROOM.
—is the appellation by which a person is known who is a complete and perfect master of every part of stable discipline; if he is not so, it is a prostitution of the word to admit the term; and in any other point of view, he can rank innoother degree than acommon stable-boy. The qualifications necessary to formA GROOMof superior excellence, are almost as numerous and distinguishing as those admitted to be requisite for the formation of aMINISTERofSTATE: obedience, fidelity, patience, mildness, diligence, humanity, and honesty, are equally indispensible; without the whole of which, he may beentitledto the denomination ofa strapperin a stable-yard; but will never prove worthy to be thoughtA GROOM.
If a groom is judicious, honest, and industrious, intendingDUTYto hisMASTER, and justice to himself, he will never be prevailed upon to undertake more than he can perform: theMASTERwho wishes it, will always be instrumental to his own deceptionand disappointment. Those who expectGROOMSto dress hair, as well as their horses; or to leave the latterwetanddirty, or half dressed, in the stable, while they dance attendance at the back of the chair, during thehourofdining, must be content to see their horses inequal conditionwith those of theDANCING,MUSIC, andDRAWING MASTERS, so frequently seen,in all weathers, standing the disconsolate hour, at different doors, in almost every respectable street of the Metropolis.
The department in whichA GROOMis placed, if the stud is valuable, must always be considered an office of very considerable trust; where great confidence is placed onONE SIDE, and strict integrity should be observed onTHE OTHER. It is upon the sobriety, steadiness, and invariable punctuality, of the groom, that theHEALTH,SAFETY, andCONDITION, of every horse depends; and by his incessant attention only can they be insured.Grooms(at least those completely qualified to be termed so) are men who, from the arduous talk they stand engaged in, the variegated nature of their servitude, and the property entrusted to their care, lay claim, and are entitled to, (theirsobriety,steadiness,fidelity, andpunctuality, once established,) all the equitable pecuniary compensation, and personal kindness, their employers can possibly bestow.
Groomsand coachmen, deprived offree agencyby their situation in life, and doomed to eat the bread ofDEPENDENCE,existto act solely upon compulsion; they receive (sometimes the most supercilious) injunctions only toobey, and are not permitted the privilege of either remonstrance or expostulation. Tacitly submissive, they encounter the severity of the elements atall hours, and inall seasons; and what should more influence the reflecting mind in their favor, is, that when the inclemency of the weather compels theRICHandOPULENTto take shelter under theROOFofHOSPITALITY, servants must bear the "peltingof thepitilessstorm" unprotected; and when a satiety of pleasure drives the reluctant frame of their superiors to the downy pillow of nocturnal relief, their task as yet "is but half performed," and not unfrequently, till the broad sun serves only to remind them of a speedy renewal of their daily labour.
These observations are impartially introduced, to demonstrate their utility in the great scale ofOPULENT SOCIETY, as well as to bring home to the reflection of theilliberalandpenurious, palpable conviction how highly they stand entitled (upon many particular occasions, and distressing emergencies) totheirsalutary tenderness and kind consideration. It should be always held in remembrance bySUPERIORS, that the services arereciprocal; andthat, in strict truth and candour, the obligation is no greater onone sidethan theother.GratitudeandAFFECTIONis much more likely (in a good soil) to be excited bykindnessthanseverity; and instances are very rare of aSERVANT'Sfidelity having beenobtained, orpreserved, by the unkind treatment, or unjustrigidity, of theMASTER.
Groomsof a certain description are, in general, too much disposed to a degree of self-consequence, and studiously endeavour to obtain anASCENDANCYin the stabularian department, to which, if the master imprudently andpusillanimouslysubmits, he becomes in some degree a non-entity, and bids adieu to every particle of power upon his own premises. The groom once possessed ofthis power, and conscious of the ground he stands upon, becomes so confident of his ownimaginarysuperiority, that the master is little more than an instrument of mere passive convenience; barely permittedto think, hardly presumingTO SPEAK, or, in fact,daringtoobtrudeanOPINIONeven where his own horses, their health, and safety, are concerned. Grooms, so long as they continue to execute the trust reposed in them with fidelity, that is, withcare,kindness,punctuality, andattentionto theirHORSES, and a dutiful attachment to their employers, will ever find themselves respected; but when, from a false, ridiculous, and ill-founded confidence, they exceed the bounds of consistency,and go beyond their own sphere, in anaffectedknowledge of thePROPERTYofMEDICINE,QUACKINGtheir masters'HORSES, and becomingself-coined Veterinarians, they, in the eye of every judicious observer, abandon their own merits, and render themselves objects of both pity and contempt.
ThisaffectationofMEDICAL KNOWLEDGEis so very prevalent withstabularian gentlemen, that they support it with a great degree of irritable tenacity; and would sooner have even theirHONESTY, than theirmedical abilitycalled in question. To stem the torrent of this dangerous practice, should be the first principle, and persevering determination, of everyGENTLEMAN, who expects to see hisHORSESin goodCONDITION, and hisservantsin a state ofuniformity: and if he wishes to shield himself from mental disquietude, and his horses from perpetual persecution, he will lay a serious injunction, that nomedicine, ornostrum, whatever, shall be administered to any horse or horses under theGROOM'Scare, without theMASTER'Sacquiescence first had and obtained.
IfGENTLEMENwill condescend to give the subject a trifling consideration, they will instantly perceive, that the symptoms of disease, the state of the body, the languor or velocity of the circulation, and the property of the blood itself, must require a greater degree ofSCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION,than people of this description have the power of going into; from which palpable fact may be inferred, the sole reason why they so often miscarry in their experiments, and so frequently render that a matter of permanent difficulty, which,properly treated, would have proved no more than a mere temporary inconvenience.
Grooms(as well as Coachmen) should have it strongly impressed on their memory, and never lose sight of the reflection, that by a slight, or almost momentary, deviation from the line of rectitude, in eithererror,inattention,inadvertence, orneglect, injuries may be sustained that neithermonthsormoneycan repair. Their minds should be always alive to the interest of their employers; they should, in all seasons (but more particularly in the colder months) have it in perpetual recollection, thatCOLDSare soonercaughtthancured; thatSWELLED LEGS, andCRACKED HEELS, are much easierobtainedthanobliterated; thatLAMENESS(either by accident or indiscretion) is easiergotthangotten rid of; and thatbad eyesare much more frequently the effect of acarelessor amalicious blow, than of "humours," to which they are upon all occasions so industriously attributed.
ColdsandCOUGHSare suddenly acquired, and by means at the time but little thought of, till the event firstprompts, and thenreproachesretrospection.A horse in fine condition, standing in a warm and comfortable stable whenat home, is always liable to inconvenienceabroad; accidentally exposed to along,wet, anddirtyjourney, or a severe chase in sharp winds and unfavourable weather, with a cold and comfortless stable after either, he insures it almost to a certainty, without incessant care and unremitting circumspection. A horse after one or the other, should never be leftone minutewithout the precaution of substantial and unwearied wisping, so long as awetordamphair is to be found about him. He should never be permitted to stand stillin rain, even withHOUNDS, so great is thedangerof throwing the perspirative mattersuddenlyupon theCIRCULATION; thereby constituting asizey viscidityof theBLOOD, and laying the foundation of various diseases.
Horseskept in good style, should never have their customary cloathing reduced, but with the strictest care and attention: the internal air of a stable should be regulated, and its temperature equally preserved entirely by thestateof theseason, (or, in other words, by theSEASONof theYEAR;) and external air should never be additionally admitted incoldandchillingwinds, but with the greatest circumspection; as it is to be remembered, it is not the admission of such airin itself alone, by which the injury is sustained, but by the contrastit constitutes, when opposed to the previous warmth of the stable.
GROUSE;—the name of aHORSEwho promised much celebrity on theTURF. He was bred by theDukeofGrafton, and was got byHighflyerout ofGeorgina, who was got byMatchem, and was own sister toConductor. He was foaled in 1790; and at three years old beatMonkey,Silver,Tick,Æacus,Agamemnon,Black Puss,Edwin,Rally, andMr. Vernon'sfilly byFlorizelout ofEve, three miles over the Beacon; but soon after falling lame, he became aSTALLIONin the Duke's possession, and having already producedChuckleandFirst Fruits, both good runners, he is in considerable estimation, and will no doubt contribute toTURF STOCKwith increasing reputation.
;—the name of aHORSEwho promised much celebrity on theTURF. He was bred by theDukeofGrafton, and was got byHighflyerout ofGeorgina, who was got byMatchem, and was own sister toConductor. He was foaled in 1790; and at three years old beatMonkey,Silver,Tick,Æacus,Agamemnon,Black Puss,Edwin,Rally, andMr. Vernon'sfilly byFlorizelout ofEve, three miles over the Beacon; but soon after falling lame, he became aSTALLIONin the Duke's possession, and having already producedChuckleandFirst Fruits, both good runners, he is in considerable estimation, and will no doubt contribute toTURF STOCKwith increasing reputation.
GROUSE, or RED GAME,—that species of game for the protection of which the Legislature has provided, is a native inhabitant ofHILLSandMOUNTAINS, difficult of access, and much more common to the remote than the centrical parts of the kingdom. They are beautiful in the variegations of their plumage, but inferior to thePHEASANT(particularly the cock) in both feather and size. They are included withPHEASANTSandPARTRIDGESin every act for thePRESERVATIONofGAME; but differ individually in respect to the timelimited for the commencement and termination of the shooting season.
,—that species of game for the protection of which the Legislature has provided, is a native inhabitant ofHILLSandMOUNTAINS, difficult of access, and much more common to the remote than the centrical parts of the kingdom. They are beautiful in the variegations of their plumage, but inferior to thePHEASANT(particularly the cock) in both feather and size. They are included withPHEASANTSandPARTRIDGESin every act for thePRESERVATIONofGAME; but differ individually in respect to the timelimited for the commencement and termination of the shooting season.
It is enacted by the 13th George Third, c. lv. s. 2, That no person shallkill,destroy,carry,sell,buy, orhave in his possession, anyGROUSE, commonly calledRED GAME, between thetenthday ofDecemberand thetwelfthday ofAugustin any year, upon pain of forfeiting, for thefirst offence, a sum not exceeding 20l. nor less than 10l. and for thesecond, and every subsequent offence, a sum not exceeding 30l. nor less than 20l. one moiety thereof to go to the informer, and the other moiety to the poor of the parish: and in case the penalty be not paid, and there be no distress to be had, the offender may be committed to prison, to be kept to hard labour for any time not exceedingSIX, nor less thanTHREE MONTHS.
And for the further preservation of bothBLACK GAMEandGROUSE, orRED GAME, it is enacted, That any person who shall, between thesecondday ofFebruaryand thetwenty-fourth dayof June, in any year, burn anygrig,ling,heath,furze,goss, orfern, on any mountains, hills, heaths, moors, forests, chases, or other wastes, shall be committed to the house of correction for any time not exceedingone month, nor less thanten days; there to be whipped, and kept to hard labour.
GUN.—AGUNis that well-known instrument of pleasure used in the destruction ofGAME, for the privilege of carrying which, its devotees voluntarily contribute so largely to the exigencies of State, and the support of Government.Fashion, that great centre of fluctuation, has in this, as in almost every thing else, wrought a very considerable change.Gunsformerly in use for this purpose, were principally constructed from three feet eight and ten inches, to five and even six feet in the length of the barrel only; which, by the effect of constantly increasing ingenuity and persevering invention, are now reduced to a standard varying but littlebelowtwo feet nine, orabovethree feet and an inch; these having been improved to such a degree of perfection, as to bring down a bird fromFORTYtoSIXTYyardsdistance; and at no greater would anySPORTSMANwish to put a gun to his shoulder. Guns with longer barrels are generally appropriated to the killing ofwater fowl, and are calledFOWLING-PIECES.
.—AGUNis that well-known instrument of pleasure used in the destruction ofGAME, for the privilege of carrying which, its devotees voluntarily contribute so largely to the exigencies of State, and the support of Government.Fashion, that great centre of fluctuation, has in this, as in almost every thing else, wrought a very considerable change.Gunsformerly in use for this purpose, were principally constructed from three feet eight and ten inches, to five and even six feet in the length of the barrel only; which, by the effect of constantly increasing ingenuity and persevering invention, are now reduced to a standard varying but littlebelowtwo feet nine, orabovethree feet and an inch; these having been improved to such a degree of perfection, as to bring down a bird fromFORTYtoSIXTYyardsdistance; and at no greater would anySPORTSMANwish to put a gun to his shoulder. Guns with longer barrels are generally appropriated to the killing ofwater fowl, and are calledFOWLING-PIECES.
HACK.—Any horse appropriated to every kind of purpose, (and upon which no great estimation or value is placed,) it has been the custom for time immemorial to distinguish by the appellation ofHACK. Custom, however, has permitted a slight deviation from a practice of long standing, andA HACKis now generally understood to imply the idea of ahired horse; that is, a horse the property of aHACKNEY-MAN,JOBorPOSTMASTER, who lets out horses by theday,week, ormonth, and who is obliged to take out an annual licence for permission so to do, payingFIVE SHILLINGSfor the same: doing whichwithoutA LICENCE, renders him liable to a penalty ofTEN POUNDS.
.—Any horse appropriated to every kind of purpose, (and upon which no great estimation or value is placed,) it has been the custom for time immemorial to distinguish by the appellation ofHACK. Custom, however, has permitted a slight deviation from a practice of long standing, andA HACKis now generally understood to imply the idea of ahired horse; that is, a horse the property of aHACKNEY-MAN,JOBorPOSTMASTER, who lets out horses by theday,week, ormonth, and who is obliged to take out an annual licence for permission so to do, payingFIVE SHILLINGSfor the same: doing whichwithoutA LICENCE, renders him liable to a penalty ofTEN POUNDS.
Hack horses, whether forridingordrawing, used in travelling post, are individually liable to a duty ofone penny halfpennyper mile, for as many miles as such horse shall be engaged to travel within a day, or any less time; but where the distance cannot then be ascertained,one shilling and ninepenceshall be paid for each horse so hired. This duty is demanded by the person letting the horse or horses to hire, who, upon receiving such payment, shall deliver to the person so hiring, oneor moreSTAMP-OFFICE TICKETS, under a penalty ofTEN POUNDS.
HACKNEY,—in the general acceptation of the word with theSPORTING WORLD, is a horse superior to all others upon thescoreofUTILITY; being rendered subservient to every office of exertion, speed, and perseverance, or, in other words, to all thedrudgeryandlabourof his situation, from which his cotemporaries, theRACER, theHUNTER, and theCHARGER, by theimaginarysuperiority of their qualifications, and pampered appearance, are alwaysexempt. It is the peculiar province of theHACKNEYto carry his mastertwelveorfifteenmiles in an hour to covert, (where theHUNTERis inwaiting,) and sometimes to bring back theGROOMwith still greater expedition, whoseengagementsmay probably have occasioned him to be much more inhastethan hisMASTER. It is in the department of theHACKNEYto encounter and overcome emergencies and difficulties of every description: his constitution should be excellent, and his spirit invincible; he must be enabled to gofive-and-twentyorthirty milesat a stage, withoutdrawing bit, and without the least respect to thedepthof theroads, or the dreary state of the weather; and if he is not equal toany weight, in thesetrifling exertions, he will be held in no estimation as aHACKNEYofFASHION.
,—in the general acceptation of the word with theSPORTING WORLD, is a horse superior to all others upon thescoreofUTILITY; being rendered subservient to every office of exertion, speed, and perseverance, or, in other words, to all thedrudgeryandlabourof his situation, from which his cotemporaries, theRACER, theHUNTER, and theCHARGER, by theimaginarysuperiority of their qualifications, and pampered appearance, are alwaysexempt. It is the peculiar province of theHACKNEYto carry his mastertwelveorfifteenmiles in an hour to covert, (where theHUNTERis inwaiting,) and sometimes to bring back theGROOMwith still greater expedition, whoseengagementsmay probably have occasioned him to be much more inhastethan hisMASTER. It is in the department of theHACKNEYto encounter and overcome emergencies and difficulties of every description: his constitution should be excellent, and his spirit invincible; he must be enabled to gofive-and-twentyorthirty milesat a stage, withoutdrawing bit, and without the least respect to thedepthof theroads, or the dreary state of the weather; and if he is not equal toany weight, in thesetrifling exertions, he will be held in no estimation as aHACKNEYofFASHION.
HACKNEY-MEN.—Those so called are the proprietors ofCOACHES,CHAISES, andHORSES, for the accommodation of the public, and of whom may be obtained vehicles of such description for any length of time required. They are subject to aLICENCE ANNUALLY, and various duties upon the different carriages, all which are clearly explained in concise abstracts (called "TAX TABLES") from the Acts of Parliament upon this particular subject.
.—Those so called are the proprietors ofCOACHES,CHAISES, andHORSES, for the accommodation of the public, and of whom may be obtained vehicles of such description for any length of time required. They are subject to aLICENCE ANNUALLY, and various duties upon the different carriages, all which are clearly explained in concise abstracts (called "TAX TABLES") from the Acts of Parliament upon this particular subject.
HAIR,—with which the frame of the horse is so completely covered, and more familiarly termedCOAT, is, in general, indicative of thegoodorillstate of the horse; not only in respect to health, but to hisCONDITION, for whatever work he may be designed. If the subject is sleek in his coat, with a glossy shining surface, soft and pliable in the skin; not tight upon the ribs, as if firmly adhering to the side; no enlargements upon the lower joints of the legs, nor anyprofuseandfaintperspiration upon moderate work, theBLOODmay be pronounced in aHEALTHY STATE, and the horse in fair andGOOD CONDITION.
,—with which the frame of the horse is so completely covered, and more familiarly termedCOAT, is, in general, indicative of thegoodorillstate of the horse; not only in respect to health, but to hisCONDITION, for whatever work he may be designed. If the subject is sleek in his coat, with a glossy shining surface, soft and pliable in the skin; not tight upon the ribs, as if firmly adhering to the side; no enlargements upon the lower joints of the legs, nor anyprofuseandfaintperspiration upon moderate work, theBLOODmay be pronounced in aHEALTHY STATE, and the horse in fair andGOOD CONDITION.
If, on the contrary, the coat is rough, hollow, staring different ways, of a variegated hue, with a tinge of dust or scaly scurf beneath the surface, the perspirative matter has been thrown upon the circulation by a collapsion of the porous system, the blood is become sizey, and disposed to morbidity,in proportion to the preternatural weight by which it is overloaded, and the obstructions it has to encounter in its passage through the finer vessels, occasioned by the languor of the circulation.
It is no uncommon thing forHORSESin tolerableGOOD CONDITIONto goall to pieces, particularly in the autumn months, without the least cause to be assigned, the least reason to be suggested, by eitherMASTERorGROOM. Certain it is, that to two successive acts of indiscretion, (or error in judgment,) this very prevalent defeat may be attributed, without the least fear of being at allwrongin the conclusion.GroomsandCOACHMEN, in general, totally unmindful of thegreat heatof their stables during the night, throw open the doors immediately upon coming in the morning, (regardless of evenfrostorsnow,) and frequently so continue during the whole ceremony of "mucking out" and carrying away the dung, if not with the addition ofstrippinganddressingthe horses into the bargain.
That the measure of indiscretion may be complete, the ceremony not unfrequently terminates in a three or four gallon pail ofhard coldwater from thePUMPin theyardormews; immediately after which, a judicious observer will perceive
"Each particular hair to stand on end,"Like quills upon the fretful porcupine."
This prevailing practice has frequently laid the foundation of various ills, not one of which were ever attributed to the right cause. Such an accumulation ofchilling frigidityimmediately succeeding the extreme heat of the night, has often produced diseaseswithout end, at least those whichendedonly withlife.Colds,COUGHS,FEVER, (original or symptomatic,)INFLAMMATIONof theLUNGS,BAD EYES,BROKEN WIND,SWELLED LEGS,CRACKED HEELS,DROPSYin thechest, with a long list ofet ceteras, or even death itself, may be occasioned by circumstances which in themselves appear sotrifling, yet they sometimes prove of considerable magnitude, and would attract the necessary attention of any humane man looking after hisownhorses; but in the present age ofduplicityanddeception, are very little likely to affect thesensibilityorintegrityof those looking after the horses ofothers.
Where a loss of hair has been sustained by some injury, as in broken knees, wounds after being healed, blistering or firing, the growth may be promoted (particularly in slight cases) by reducing three drachms ofCAMPHIREtofine powder, then letting it be well incorporated withtwo ouncesofSPERMA CÆTI OINTMENTupon a marble slab, and a small portion of it well rubbed into the part affected at leastonce, but it will be better if persevered intwicea day.
HALTER—is that well-known convenience by which a horse is fastened to theMANGERwhen confined in aSTABLE. Halters are of two kinds; the one prepared oftwisted hemp, the other made ofLEATHER, having head-stall, throat-straps and buckles, nose-band, &c. and are called double-reined hunting-collars. These are the safest in every respect, and, although the most expensive at first, are proportionally durable, and consequently cheapest in the course of time.Hempenhalters are sometimes injurious, in formingswellings, orlacerations, upon the upper part of the head, behind the ears, by the friction of thehard-twisted hempupon a part naturally tender and easily susceptible. They are, however, now but very little used, except in the stables of inferior inns, and of indigent rustics.
—is that well-known convenience by which a horse is fastened to theMANGERwhen confined in aSTABLE. Halters are of two kinds; the one prepared oftwisted hemp, the other made ofLEATHER, having head-stall, throat-straps and buckles, nose-band, &c. and are called double-reined hunting-collars. These are the safest in every respect, and, although the most expensive at first, are proportionally durable, and consequently cheapest in the course of time.Hempenhalters are sometimes injurious, in formingswellings, orlacerations, upon the upper part of the head, behind the ears, by the friction of thehard-twisted hempupon a part naturally tender and easily susceptible. They are, however, now but very little used, except in the stables of inferior inns, and of indigent rustics.
HALTER-CAST.—This is an accident to which horses are constantly liable, and it very frequently happens; but, in general, from the inadvertency of leaving the rein of the halter oftoo great a lengthon either one side or the other: for when the horse is lying down, and has occasion (from itching, or some other cause) to rub his neck or head with the hind foot, it is no uncommon thing to have it get entangled in the halter-rein; which encircling thecavityof theheel, renders it impossible for the animal to extricate himself, unless the halter breaks in his favor; and during thesestruggles, the heel is sometimes so terribly excoriated, as to become not only aWOUNDof muchtrouble,anxiety, andlossoflabour, but often leaves a very vexatious blemish, never to be removed. It is, therefore, a truly necessary part of stable circumspection, to have an occasional eye to a circumstance in itself so seemingly insignificant, when it is recollected, that its omission may be productive of much mortification.
.—This is an accident to which horses are constantly liable, and it very frequently happens; but, in general, from the inadvertency of leaving the rein of the halter oftoo great a lengthon either one side or the other: for when the horse is lying down, and has occasion (from itching, or some other cause) to rub his neck or head with the hind foot, it is no uncommon thing to have it get entangled in the halter-rein; which encircling thecavityof theheel, renders it impossible for the animal to extricate himself, unless the halter breaks in his favor; and during thesestruggles, the heel is sometimes so terribly excoriated, as to become not only aWOUNDof muchtrouble,anxiety, andlossoflabour, but often leaves a very vexatious blemish, never to be removed. It is, therefore, a truly necessary part of stable circumspection, to have an occasional eye to a circumstance in itself so seemingly insignificant, when it is recollected, that its omission may be productive of much mortification.
HALTING—may be considereda limping, or slight impediment toFREEandEASY ACTION, implying some kind of perceptibledefectordisquietude, not amounting to absoluteLAMENESS. Whenever this irregularity in motion is first observed, and that the legs do not move in corresponding uniformity, or, in other words, as if theywere not fellows, an accurate examination should be immediately made to ascertain theCAUSE, that it may bespeedilyrelieved; upon a very fair presumption, that what might produce only alimpingorhaltingin the first instance, might probably become a confirmedLAMENESSby a perseverance in use, without adverting to the proper means of alleviation upon the original discovery of something amiss.
—may be considereda limping, or slight impediment toFREEandEASY ACTION, implying some kind of perceptibledefectordisquietude, not amounting to absoluteLAMENESS. Whenever this irregularity in motion is first observed, and that the legs do not move in corresponding uniformity, or, in other words, as if theywere not fellows, an accurate examination should be immediately made to ascertain theCAUSE, that it may bespeedilyrelieved; upon a very fair presumption, that what might produce only alimpingorhaltingin the first instance, might probably become a confirmedLAMENESSby a perseverance in use, without adverting to the proper means of alleviation upon the original discovery of something amiss.
HAM, HOUGH, or HOCK,—is the joint in the center of the hind leg behind; and although so wonderfully united forSTRENGTHandACTION, is nevertheless the seat of serious injuries, asBLOODandBONE SPAVINS,CURBS, &c. the major part of which originate much more in improper treatment, by short turns, sudden jerks, or twists, upon the road, or in the stable, than by any accidents or fair mode of usage whatever.
,—is the joint in the center of the hind leg behind; and although so wonderfully united forSTRENGTHandACTION, is nevertheless the seat of serious injuries, asBLOODandBONE SPAVINS,CURBS, &c. the major part of which originate much more in improper treatment, by short turns, sudden jerks, or twists, upon the road, or in the stable, than by any accidents or fair mode of usage whatever.
HAMBLETONIAN;—the name ofA HORSEwhose performances have ranked him in an equal degree of retrospective celebrity withEclipse,Highflyer,Diomed, and the most famous runners of the past or present day. He was bred byMr. Hutchinson, of Skipton, near York, and foaled in 1792; was got byKing Fergus; dam byHighflyer; grand-dam byMatchem.—1795. May 5, when three years old, he won a stakes of fifteen guineas each, over Hambleton, (five subscribers,) beatingSober Robin,Tarquin, and another. At York, May 20th, he won a sweepstakes of twenty guineas each, four subscribers. He was then purchased, with all his engagements, bySir C. Turner, Bart. in whose possession he won, on the 27th of August, at York, a sweepstakes of 100 guineas each, (six subscribers,) beatingBenjamin,Minus, andMaximus. Two days after he won a sweepstakes of fifty guineas each, four subscribers. At Doncaster, the 22d of September, he won the St. Leger stakes of twenty-five guineas each, twelve subscribers. The next day he won theGOLD CUPof 100 guineas value, four miles, beatingGovernor,Capsicum, andBradamant.
;—the name ofA HORSEwhose performances have ranked him in an equal degree of retrospective celebrity withEclipse,Highflyer,Diomed, and the most famous runners of the past or present day. He was bred byMr. Hutchinson, of Skipton, near York, and foaled in 1792; was got byKing Fergus; dam byHighflyer; grand-dam byMatchem.—1795. May 5, when three years old, he won a stakes of fifteen guineas each, over Hambleton, (five subscribers,) beatingSober Robin,Tarquin, and another. At York, May 20th, he won a sweepstakes of twenty guineas each, four subscribers. He was then purchased, with all his engagements, bySir C. Turner, Bart. in whose possession he won, on the 27th of August, at York, a sweepstakes of 100 guineas each, (six subscribers,) beatingBenjamin,Minus, andMaximus. Two days after he won a sweepstakes of fifty guineas each, four subscribers. At Doncaster, the 22d of September, he won the St. Leger stakes of twenty-five guineas each, twelve subscribers. The next day he won theGOLD CUPof 100 guineas value, four miles, beatingGovernor,Capsicum, andBradamant.
1796. At the York August meeting he won a subscription purse of 227l.10s.beatingSpread Eagle,Sober Robin, and another. The next day he won the ladies' plate, beating Lord Darlington'sSt. George. At this period of his uninterrupted success, he was purchased bySir Henry Tempest Vane, Bart. and at Doncaster, September 28, won theGOLD CUPof 100 guineas value, beatingSober Robin,Ambrosio, and three others. In the Newmarket Houghton meeting, November 2, he beat Mr. Tatton'sPatriot(who was got byRockingham) over the Beacon Course for 1000 guineas.
1797. Monday in the Newmarket Craven meeting, he won the Craven stakes of ten guineas each, beatingSober Robin,Bennington,Paynator,Hermione,Parisot,Cymbeline, and five others. The same day he received 250 guineas forfeit fromSpread Eagle. On Thursday, in the same week, he beat Lord Clermont'sAimator, Beacon Course, 300 guineas. At York, August 23, he won one third of the great subscription of 25 guineas each, (25 subscribers,) to which was added a 50l.plate given by the city. The next day he won another third of the same subscription, with an additional 50l.plate by the City, beatingBeningbrough,Trimbush, andBrilliant. At Doncaster, the 27th of September, he won the stakes of ten guineas each, (ten subscribers,) with twenty guineas added by theCorporation; and on the 29th received 100 guineas forfeit from Mr. Sitwell'sMoorcock.
In 1798 he was slightly lame, and never started.
1799. Monday, in the Craven meeting at Newmarket, he beat Mr. Cookson's famous horseDiamond, over the Beacon, for 3000 guineas, with the odds offivetofourin his favour, on account of his superiority in size and strength; it being jocularly observed by the rider ofDiamondatstarting, that it seemed "a little like a race between a mare and her colt." This match was the greatest in popularity ever known from one extremity of the kingdom to the other, and was decided before one of the fullest meetings ever seen at Newmarket. It was won by no more thanthree partsof alength, to effect which the winner had felt the utmost force of the spur; and, it was generally believed, if they had then one hundred yards farther to have ran,Diamondwould have beenthe winner; in proof of the justice of which opinion,Mr. Cooksonchallenged a repetition of the match, which was declined.
At Doncaster the same year, he won the renewed stakes of ten guineas each, (fourteen subscribers, with twenty guineas added by the Corporation,) beatingeightof the best horses in the north of England. In 1800 he won the great subscriptionat York, with 50l.given by the City, which was the last time he started. He once ran out of the Course,soon after starting, when running three miles over York, 1797, for a sweepstakes of 100 guineas each againstDeserterandSpread Eagle; and paid one forfeit toSterling(from being amiss in 1792) at Newmarket; butNEVER WAS BEAT. He is now a stallion in high repute near Leeds, in Yorkshire, atTEN GUINEAS, and half a guinea the groom.
HAND—is the term for a mode of measurement by which the height ofA HORSEis ascertained. AHAND(so called originally from its breadth) isfour inches; three hands is consequently one foot; andA HORSE OF FIFTEEN HANDSis exactlyfive feet high; and so above or below in proportion; as thirteen hands three inches; fourteen hands and a half; or fifteen hands three inches and a quarter; as the measure may be. This, at the entrance of horses forGIVEandtake plates, is regulated to a most scrupulous nicety by means of astandard, so curiously constructed, as to ascertain the exact height to theeighthofan inch, where horses areMATCHEDto carryWEIGHTforinches.
—is the term for a mode of measurement by which the height ofA HORSEis ascertained. AHAND(so called originally from its breadth) isfour inches; three hands is consequently one foot; andA HORSE OF FIFTEEN HANDSis exactlyfive feet high; and so above or below in proportion; as thirteen hands three inches; fourteen hands and a half; or fifteen hands three inches and a quarter; as the measure may be. This, at the entrance of horses forGIVEandtake plates, is regulated to a most scrupulous nicety by means of astandard, so curiously constructed, as to ascertain the exact height to theeighthofan inch, where horses areMATCHEDto carryWEIGHTforinches.
Bridle-hand: the left hand is so termed, in contra-distinction to the right, which is called theWHIP-HAND; and the most experienced jockies in racing, always take the whip-hand, if possible; itbeing considered a point in their favour; that is, because they have not only an advantage in the turns of the course, but their adversaries circumscribe alarger circleof many lengths in aFOUR MILESrace, exclusive of their having an unrestrained use ofTHE WHIP, should it come to asevere pushat the run in.
There are manysporting phrasesin which the wordHANDbecomes particularly emphatic. To say a horse isLIGHTinHAND, implies his being playful, lively, champing his bit, firm upon his haunches, and not dwelling upon the ground with his fore feet. A horse isHEAVYinHAND, when, bearing his weight upon the bit, and lifting his fore legs with reluctance, he goesboring on, with no other sensation to the rider, than an eternal fear of his pitching upon his head. A vicious horse, breaking away with his rider, seems a dreadful sight to a spectator, but can never be attended with misfortune, if the rider is a goodHORSEMAN, and has him "well in hand," which is, in fact, the power of "gathering him together," or stopping his career at pleasure.
Although theleftis technically termed theBRIDLE-HAND, yet a good horseman, or experienced sportsman, will use eitherrightorleftwith the most perfect ease and dexterity; to effect which with the greater freedom, young horsemen should constantlypractise an exchange of the reins from one hand to the other in their daily excursions. The hand should be delicately alive to every motion of the horse; for it is the judicious management of one, that is to constitute entirely thegoodorbadmouth of the other. A horse is supposed to gallop awkwardly (if not unnaturally) when he strikes into that pace with hisleft legforemost; to prevent which, bear the rein tothe left, with the bridle-hand, and the horse invariably sets off with therightleg.
Hand-gallopis that easy kind of pacing adapted to the aged and infirm, who wish to obtain every possible degree of motion, most consonant to bodily ease; it is the degree of equestrian action synonimous with, and more universally known by, the denomination ofCANTER; which is, in fact, the slowest, or most contracted gallop, and can only be enjoyed by those who possess horses of good temper, and well broke for the purpose.
ACOLTsaid to be "taken in hand," implies his being brought from his wild state of nature, to behandled,quieted,ledabout, andstabled, previous to his beingbroke infor theSADDLEorHARNESS.
A horse'sFORE-HANDincludes the fore quarters, from the withers upwards to the tip of the ears; the principal beauty and attraction of which dependentirely upon the length and curvilinear form of the neck, which increases or diminishes hismarketable value, in proportion as it iswellorillformed.