tail (if it may be called such) in fashion, both in the army and in carriages. The absurdity however of this total amputation began to appear. The gentlemen of the army led the way. They acknowledged the beauty, and use of the tail as nature made it. The short-dock every where disappeared; and all dragoon horses paraded with long tails. The nag-tail however still continued in use. Of this there are several species, all more or less mutilated. The most deformed one is the nicked-tail; so named from the cruel operation used in forming it. The nag-tail, is still seen in all genteel carriages. Nor will any person of fashion ride a horse without one. Even gentlemen of the army, who have shewn more sense in the affair of horse.tails, have been so misled, as to introduce the nag-tail, into the light-horse; tho' it would be as difficult to give a reason now for the nag0tail, as formerly for the short dock. Two things are urged in defence of this cruel mutilation, the utility, and the beauty of it. Let us briefly as possible, examine both. To make an animal useful is no doubt, the first consideration: and to make a horse so, we must necessarily make him suffer some things, which are unnatural, because we take him out of a state of nature. He must be fed with hay and corn in the winter, which he cannot get in his open pastures: for if he be exercised beyond nature, he must have such food, as will enable him to bear it. As it is necessary likewise to make our roads hard and durable, it is necessary also to give the horse an iron hoof, that he may travel over them without injuring his feet; but all this has nothing to do with his tail, which is equally useful in a reclaimed and in a natural state.
Yes, says the advocate for docking, as it is neces-
