the bitter remnant of his wrath, treated as he pleases when out of his master's sight, no power of telling the ill-usage, except that apprehensive rearing of the head at his attendant's approach, which every master of a horse should look for with sedulous care. This is the brightest chapter of the coach-horse's life, omitting the school days of his training. And we wish their ill-usage was confined to servants and grooms; there are gentlemen, in proportion few, but there are those whose temper and conduct render them unfit to be intrusted with the treatment of the most insignificant being (if any be so) bearing life, and on whom the reprobation and remonstrances of their companions are unable to effect any reform.

Then the poor post-horse, most wretched of all, serving two masters; the first who owns, the next who hires; nay, a third, in him who rides it. If the cattle are fatigued with previous work, the post-master dare not refuse them to his customer, who demands four horses to fly from somewhere where he has done nothing, to somewhere where he will do nothing still; nothing so restless as

idleness; or what pace so great as his who struggles to escape himself? The first master takes them from their rest; the second, in its place, bestows additional labour; and the third, the postillion, is threatened, if he does not complete the distance within a given time, his remuneration shall be deficient. Each then has his separate demand upon the blood and sinews of the poor animal. Two coin his life into gold; the third, the busy idler, into the wages of cruelty and wanton sin. The latter, however, gives credit on his account, forgetting the last settling day, when he also, unwilling claimant, shall receive without demand the awful payment of his debt. Learn from the pulpit what are the rewards of mercy and loving-kindness, and what will be your reward who forfeit these, and not only sin yourself, but are the cause that others sin.

And here we would address a few words briefly, and seriously, to the female portion of the community. It is in your hands to diminish or increase the amount of cruelty; you ought to be the true and original fountain of mercy and gentleness among men ; and were you ever true to the title of

your sex, one half would be at an end. torture, or assist to

of the sufferings of animals If you can take the hook of chase the timid hare, what

must we not expect that men shall do? But, above all, and most particularly, the welfare of the horse may be considered as confided to your will.

"Oh,

If in your bosom any pity dwell,

Or soft compassion,"

never forget that which is the honour and the`distinction of your sex, without which your souls appear weak without beauty, harsh without vigour. Let dove-eyed Mercy shade for ever your lineaments with her wings, and nurse her tender offspring in your hearts. Let her gentle hand be ever ready to stay the hurry of impetuous man.

Too often, alas! the horse's speed is urged; its weary limbs excited by the lash, only to please you. Rare (we hope) exceptions to the duties of your nature; resolve to cease this cruel influence. Man would ever yield, did you perform those duties for which you are designed. All feel a scorn of cruel coldness inhabiting a woman's form,

whether expressed or not;

does any thing breed more

nor, it is certain, aversion in our sex

than a hardness of heart in yours to the sufferings of animated nature. When horses are fatigued, or overloaded, how offensive to hear from a woman's lips this answer meet an expression of regret, "Oh, they are used to it ;"* or to see, when climbing a steep hill, the pace increased which you have the power to check. Exert that influence which is your ornament, and its absence your disgrace by all the ties of nature, by every link that binds you, strive in every bosom to enthrone the grace of mercy.

Of the horses who use their strength for the profit of their owner, none perhaps fare so well as those in the more respectable stage coaches, who are regularly driven, cared for and fed, under the very eye of the master. This is so long as the demon of rivalry keeps off the road, that much vaunted public competition which, whatever its

* The tracts of the Society take a very proper notice of the cruelties practised at watering-places; scenes exhibiting, in the highest pitch, the selfishness of man amid the sufferings of the innocent world.

M

effects on man, on the beasts at least, renders them competitors for misery, and barters every drop of life for a grain of gold. Then when opposition infuriates the owners, what a scene! Nor can we be surprised, when men blindly and violently seek to ruin one another, that they are indifferent to that ruin of duties and regards which the sacrifice of these creatures must involve.

"men only disagree

Of creatures rational.

"And God proclaiming peace,

Yet live in hatred, enmity, and strife,

Amongst themselves, and levy cruel wars,
Wasting the earth, each other to destroy."

Whether the strife of two coach-owners, or of two monarchs, the principle is the same; the poor unoffending animal is drawn in for his share of pain, and must take an unwilling portion in the "wreck of nations and the fall of thrones."

In domestic rivalry or public strife, he is man's companion, tool, and victim, an object of passion or excited revenge; he mixes in the reciprocation of injuries; he shares in the rage of Does not Warwick cry

war.