Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-11-30
GalIantry of the Arabian Horses.

That horses should be susceptible to the
charms of the gentle sex, is no more than
might have been expected from their noble
bearing and intelligence. Read the follow.
ing extract from ladys letter written in
the East:
I fear you may deem me rather boastfu
Of my horsemanship when tell you the
two Arab horses which threw their cava-
liers did not throw me. The cause of the
exception was not, however, IN me or my
skill. 1t was in the very remarkable pre-
dilection those intelligent animals feel to-
ward individuals of the weaker sex. Let
the widest, the fercest Arabian, be mount
ed by woman, and you will see him grow
suddenly as mild and as obedient as lamb.
had plenty of opportunities to make the
experiment, and in ny own stables there is
beautiful gray Arab which nobody dares
to ride, though he is my daily bearer He
knows me, my wishes, the degree of fatigue
| can bear without inconvenience, and be-
haves in consequence.
Itls really curious to see him manage to
quicken his pace without shaking me, and
the different sort of steps he has invented
to realize these contradictory purposes
Horses are as liable to forgetfulness as any
other organized being; and my incom2ara-
BILE grey sometimes, when other horses
threaten to pass him, or are once in ad-
vance, ,forgets every consideration and starts
off, more like a whirlwind than anything
else. Woe to me if, under such circum-
stances, were to confde to the strength
of my arm or of the bride. But | know
better. Leaving my hands quite loose, and
abandoning all thoughts of compulsion, I
take to persuasion-pat him on the neck
call him by his own name-beg him to be
quiet, and to deserve the piece of sugar
waiting for him at home. Never have these
means failed. Instantly he will slacken
his pace, prick up his ears, and come back
to soft amble, while with gentle neigh
he seems to crave my pardon for his mo-
mentary offence. Such instances Of the
tender penchant of Arab horses for the
weaker part of creation are quite common,
and are generally explalned-not poetical
explanation after abby the circumstance
that the Arab women are the natural and
only grooms of their lords stables.
When the horse is still colt he is rear
ed in the back part of the tent, the movea-
BILE harem Of the Arab. In the third year
of his life, he is raised to the honor of car
rylng his MASTER and when he brings him
home he is instantly delivered to the wo-
mems hands, who wash his eyes, walk him
up and down till the foam is fallen from his
mouth and the perspiration from his limbs.
1t is the masters wife that disencumbers
him of the heavy saddle, the complicated
and adorned bride, the embroidered and
gilded covering. She fastens cord to his
foot and takes him first to drink, and then
to feed himself with the best bit of grass to
be found in the barren country.
This puts me in mind of story which
was related to me by Bedouin of Gailee,
very fond and very proud, not only of his
own horses but of the whole Arabian breed.
A young chief had a precious mare and
plenty of enemies. Once he went to a
place three days distant from his own resi-
dence to fetch some money that was due to
him. His enemies were apprised of his
purpose, and determined to take him or at
least kill him. Knowing, however, the
swiftness of his mare, they divided them
selves in groups of ten persons, and took
their stations at three hours distance from
each other. The first group was to pursue
him during three hours, and when he
thought him: elf safe. then the second group
of ten would start and begin fresh race !:
and SO on till Lis mare would fall from ex-
hauston. All was done as they had de-
signed but The mlre never gave way; the
three dayss distance was travelled IN day,
and more than foty-eigbt hours before he
was expected, his old blind father, wlo sat
smoking at the entrance of his tent recog-
nized the we'll known tramp Of his sons
mare.
There is my son coming back" said the
old man. and he had scarcely said the word
ere his son dlsmounted, and, throwing the
reins to his wife, laid his bag of gold dust
at his fathers feet. But the old man thought
more of the mare than of his son himself
"Why didyou over fatigue the mare ?" ex-
claimed he, in reproachfu voice "bring
her to me-" 1t was done the old man pat
ted her head and said, quite angrily, "Thcre
is blood all over her mouth" And true it
was. The son explained, that nearly driv-
en- to despair by the obstinate chase Of his
enemies, he had hurried the mare, or rath-
er he had allowed her to hurry herself, so
that here fore foot came in contact with her
mouth and scratched it till it was all bleed
ing. That night the travelling chief lay
down upon his cloak in corner of his tent,
to rest himself as well as he could, but wo-
men, young men, slaves, and even Effen-
dis, crowded around the mare, giving her
Strengthening beverages and rubbing her
limbs with softening liniment; nor was qui-
ct restored to the tribe till the mare had ca
ten again, and shown herselfin full posses
sion of her limbs.
The DANDY.-The dandy is the sum to-
tai of coats, hats, vests. boots, &c. He is
the creature of the traitor. His destiny
is bound up in broadcloth and fine linen
His worth can be estimated only by the
ward, cloth measure. We are puzzled 10
tell whether he is female gentleman or a
male lady. He combines the little weak
nesses and foibles of both sexes, but knows
nothing of the good qualities of either. He
is human poodle, handled at home In the
lap of effeminacy, but the sport and butt Of