THE CHARGER. "7

shows how lasting is the impression which the
word of command makes upon the mind of the
animal :—

“ A gentleman riding on a strong, spirited
horse, passed a pedestrian on the slope of the
Downs, at Brighton, at nearly full speed. The
horse had formerly been a charger in the 10th
Royal Hussars, and the pedestrian, who had
known him when attached to that regiment,
instantly recognised him. In a loud and au-
thoritative tone, as the horse dashed by him, he
vociferated the commanding word ‘ Harr! It
was a mandate to which the animal had been
trained, and he had not forgotten it. ‘The check
it produced was as sudden as unexpected; the
rider, completely unprepared for such a shock,
was thrown over the horse’s head, and alighted
on his back some yards in advance; as good
fortune would have it, without receiving any
material injury.”

“That was rather a dangerous experiment,
Uncle Thomas, was it not ?”’