kinds of mental twists and deformities. There are mental lameness
and broken-windedness. Mental and moral shying is extremely common.
As for biting, who does not know it? We have all seen human biters;
not merely backbiters, but creatures who like to leave the marks
of their teeth upon people present too. There are many kickers; men
who in running with others do (so to speak) kick over the traces,
and viciously lash out at their companions with little or no
provocation. There are men who are always getting into quarrels,
though in the main warm-hearted and well-meaning. There are human
jibbers: creatures that lie down in the shafts instead of manfully
(or horsefully) putting their neck to the collar, and going stoutly at
the work of life. There are multitudes of people who are constantly
suffering from depression of spirits, a malady which appears
in countless forms. There is not a human being in whose mental
constitution there is not something wrong; some weakness, some
perversion, some positive vice. And if you want further proof
of the truth of what I am saying, given by one whose testimony is
worth much more than mine, go and read that eloquent and kindly and
painfully fascinating book lately published by Dr. Forbes Winslow,
on Obscure Diseases of the Brain and Mind; and you will leave off
with the firmest conviction that every breathing mortal is mentally
a screw.

And yet, my reader, if you have some knowledge of horse-flesh, and
if you have been accustomed in your progress through life (in the
words of Dr. Johnson) to practise observation, and to look about
you with extensive view, your survey must have convinced you that
great part of the coaching and other horse work of this country is
done, and fairly done, by screws. These poor creatures are out in
all kinds of weather, and it seems to do them little harm. Any one