general progress on a four-mile course was at the rate of 82 feet and a half in a second. Eclipse was almost equally swift with Childers, and was considerably stronger. His form was by no means considered handsome, as indeed his dimensions deviated very considerably from those which were supposed to constitute the standard of perfect beauty in the horse; but on the most minute examination, his structure was found to be contrived with the most exquisite mechanism for speed.

The Accuracy with which the Mule traverses the Alps.

AMONG the Alps, the path often occupies only the space of a few feet in width, having on one side an eminence of perpendicular ascent, and on the other a vast abyss, and, as it generally follows the direction of the

mountains, presents frequently declivities of several hundred yards. On arriving at one of these, the mule halts for a moment, and no effort of the rider can for the time urge it forward. It appears alarmed at the contemplation of the danger. In a few moments, however, it places its four feet as it might be supposed to do in the act of stopping itself, and almost immediately closes its hinder feet, somewhat advancing them, so as to give the idea of its intention to lie down. In this attitude it glides down the descent with astonishing rapidity: yet amidst all its speed, retains that self-government which enables it to follow, with the most perfect precision, all the windings of the road, and to avoid every impediment to its progress and security.

The frozen Farmer and his Horse.

Ir were to be wished, that the writer of the following event could, with a strict accordance to truth, relate the catastrophe in a more pleasing manner, or at least without the appearance of inhumanity.

In the month of January, 1798, a farmer in the West of England, who was in the habit of taking his cattle to market once a week, having stopped to refresh himself, as usual, at an inn on the road, after market hours, happened to be so much taken up with the hilarity of his companions, that, notwithstanding his friends reminded him of the lateness of the evening, his distance from home, and the badness of the weather (for it was then dark, and a heavy fall of snow on the ground at the time), he still continued his stay at the inn, with this exclamation, "Let me alone; I know what

I am about: were it an hundred miles instead of ten, my horse would carry me home in safety. Let it freeze or snow, I will stay as long as I like.' He prolonged his stay till nine o'clock in the evening, and then mounted his horse; and though the snow had fallen to a depth nearly reaching the belly of the animal, yet this faithful and sagacious creature conveyed his master in safety to the door of his stable. The servants. who were alarmed at the farmer's staying beyond his usual time of returning, had been for some hours in great anxiety, and waited for his arrival; but what was their surprize on beholding their mester completely frozen on the back of the horse! He was to all appear ance liteless, and sitting in an erect attitude. Every exertion and probable means to restore suspended animation were tried in vain. At length the village apothecary declared there was but one chance of saving him,

which was his being instantly inclosed in the warm skin of an animal just flayed. Unhappily for the poor horse there was no other beast at hand; and, with pain do I say, he was immediately slaughtered; and thus the life of the farmer was saved by the cruel death of his dumb, but affectionate, friend and protector.

The courageous Horse.

ABOUT seven o'clock one evening, November, 1768, as Mr. Reynolds, one of his Majesty's coroners for the county of Devon, was returning from Plymouth Dock, in the road leading from Stonehouse Mills to Hoplace Hospital, he was stopped by two soldiers of the 22d regiment, who demanded his money, and threatened to murder him if he refused; and as he was putting his hand in his