So that the people, admired the zeal of the mule, ordered him to be fed at the public charge. Plutarch. The magnanimous Horse. SUCH was the humour of Bucephalus, the famous horse of Alexander the Great, that before he was accoutred, would suffer his groom to back him; but when he had all his royal trappings and housings about him, would permit no person but Alexander to bestride him. If any other persons approached him out of curiosity, in order to try what they could do, he encountered them openmouth d. and neighing out his fury, leaped upon their shoulders, bore them down, and trampled them under his feet, unless prevented by keeping at a distance, or by speedy flight. Plutarch. Extraordinary Perseverance in a TILL of late years pack-horses were employed, in the northern counties of England, to carry the different manufactures and articles of traffic from one part of the kingdom to another; but the improved state of our roads has caused that mode of conveyance to be almost entirely laid aside. In their journeys over trackless moors, they strictly adhere to the line of order and regularity custom has taught them to observe. The leading horse, which is always chosen for his sagacity and steadiness, being furnished with bells, gives notice to the rest, who follow the sound, and generally without much deviation, though sometimes at a considerable distance. The following anecdote will shew with what obstinate perseverance they have been known to observe the line of their order. Some years ago, one of these horses, which had been long accustomed to follow his leader, by accident or fatigue, was thrown into an inferior rank; the poor animal, as if sensible of his disgrace, by the most strenuous, exertions, at length recovered his usual station, which he maintained during the remainder of the journey; but, on his arrival in the inn yard, he dropped down dead upon the spot, his life falling a sacrifice to his ambitiona species of heroism we must admire, even in the brute-creation. Bewick's Quadrupeds. Remarkable Instinct in a Mare. I HAVE many times (observes Mr. Lawrence) seen a mare walk through droves of young chicks and ducklings to the stable, lifting up her feet, laying her ears, and putting her nose almost to the ground, lest she should tread upon them. The same mare, trotting at full speed, once flew a rood out of her way, that she might not tread upon a child which was accidentally crossing the road. This was not the effect of starting or shying, to which she was not at all addicted, but evidently the result of thought or reflection. The same mare once saved herself and her master. He was riding slowly and very heedlessly up the hill upon Epping forest, opposite a waggon. The mare pricked her ears at a man and horse coming full speed down the hill, exactly in her line of direction. At their approach she hung back, and in an instant, with the dexterity of a harlequin, sheltered herself under the tail of the waggon. A horseman coming up very fast received the dreadful shock. One horse was killed on the spot, and the shoulder of the other shattered to pieces. I am thoroughly convinced (he adds), that this D animal acted in these instances purely from the influence of rational motives. Treatise on Horses. The learned Horse.* THERE was lately to be seen, at the fair of St. Germain in Paris, a little brown bay horse, very well made, about six years old, who, on coming into the assembly, paid his respects by an air, and some motions expressive of his satisfaction. He answered very exactly by signs of the head to all the questions his master put to him. He drank to the health of the king, by taking a cup into his mouth. and also fired off a pistol with his mouth. He could feign himself lame or dead, that he should not be obliged to go to the war. If any person of the assembly drew a card, and held it before the horse's eye, he would beat on the ground with his foot as many strokes |