The majority of drivers are very particular about the horse's mouth; yet they all abuse the animal as though it was their desire to destroy that which each professes to admire. Every supposed error is punished with the lash, but the whip can convey no idea; the lash does not instruct the animal; beat a horse all day, and it will only be stupid at sunset. All the horse can comprehend from the smart is a desire that the pace should be quickened; that wish it endeavors to comply with. The person who guides the vehicle generally becomes fanatic at such perversity; he begins "jagging" and "sawing" the reins. The iron is violently pulled against the angles of the mouth, or rapidly passes from one side to the other. Would the owner or driver take the trouble to instruct his dumb servant in his wishes, the poor drudge would rejoice to exhibit its accomplishments. But no information is communicated by first urging and then checking; the timidity is increased by the one, the angles of the mouth are excoriated by the other. Ladies' horses invariably have admirable mouths; ladies generally are very poor equestrians, yet they encounter few accidents. Men, who ride better, are oftener thrown and hurt. The gentleness of the woman, or the sympathy existing between two gentle beings, produces this effect The horse is never dangerous when not alarmed; the feminine hand pats the neck of the steed; the feminine voice assures the timidity; the whip never slashes; the reins are never converted into instruments of torture; the weight is light and the pace is easy. A perfect understanding is soon established between the two, and the rider, notwithstanding her weakness, her indifferent jockeyship, and her flapping dress, sits the saddle in safety, while the animal increases in value under her care. [Illustration: VARIOUS MODES OF FORMING THAT WHICH ALL MEN SPEAK OF WITH ADMIRATION, AS A "GOOD MOUTH."] Man certainly does not gain by the contrast; the male treatment does not improve the animal. The horse's memory, like that of most dumb creatures, is very tenacious; the quadruped is not made more steady by ill usage; the sore corners of the mouth oblige the animal to be laid up "for a time," and the expense of medical treatment increases the sacrifice consequent upon loss of services. [Illustration: EXCORIATED ANGLES OF THE MOUTH.]