172 NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE,

of its earlier days. A horse belonging to a gentleman of
Taunton strayed from a field at Corfe, three miles distant
from thence. After a long and troublesome search, he was
discovered on a farm at Branscombe, in Devon, a distance
of twenty-three miles, being the place where he was foaled,
although it is certain that the animal had not been there
for ten years, during the whole of which time he had been
in the possession of the gentleman who then owned him.”
Horses seem to have a similar sense of locality to that for
which dogs are so famous. A horse will find its way home
when its master cannot see a yard before him, instances
being recorded of parties lost in the snow which covered
all tracks, who only saved their lives by letting a horse
loose and following him. Captain Brown gives two
instances of horses who on becoming ill, found their way
to the veterinary surgeon, who had previously treated them,
entirely of their own accord. Instances are recorded also
of Cavalry horses, who, on hearing thunder while out grazing,
have mistaken it for the sound of cannon and who with
great excitement have formed themselves into line and
“presented the front of a field of war”. Old Hunters who
have become coach horses have been known upon hearing
the hounds, at the moment of “changing” to dash after
them with their harness on their backs and riderless and
guideless follow the hunt for hours. These are instances of
the ruling passion strong in after life, or perhaps more
correctly speaking of the force of habit, of which there are
countless illustrations. Kosciusko had a horse which he
once lent to a young man whom he employed upon a
commission, but who on his return declared that he would
never use the horse again unless also supplied with his master’s
purse; for said he, “as soon as a poor man on the road
takes off his hat and asks charity the animal immediately
stands still, and will not stir until something is bestowed .
upon the petitioner; and as I had no money about me I