The rage for an improvement in the system of farriery which TAPLIN'S books had induced, extended to almost every part of the kingdom, and _necessitous_ adventurers became _vulcanian_ speculators in every direction. Various new, important and _infallible_ plans of SHOEING were _hypothetically_ introduced amongst the infant _crop_ of _newly-sown_ veterinarians; one avowed himself an advocate for _long_ shoes; another, for _short_ shoes; a third, for _high_ shoes; a fourth, for _low_ shoes, and _thin_ heels; a fifth, for _half_ shoes; and a still more _sagacious_ groupe of THEORETICIANS, for _no shoes at all_!!! To the great credit of the nation, and the strenuous endeavours of investigating individuals, this fashionable _thirst_ of _folly_, this _infatuating furor_, seems now in a great degree to have subsided, and affords reason to believe, as well as to hope, the _veterinary mania_ has (at least in this respect) attained its CRISIS; and that the only rational, safe, and judicious mode now in general use, will be no more attacked by the wild and chimerical speculations of those, whose want of professional skill and scientific information must ever render their schemes abortive. That gentlemen will dedicate part of their time to examine the internal structure of the foot, the anatomical formation and junction of the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilages, and membranes, is not to be expected; but that they will, upon the principle of self-defence, be careful to understand enough of the EXTERIOR, to check occasionally the rude hand of the injudicious or inconsiderate operator, is readily to be believed. The operative act of shoeing, in its general sense, as appertaining to the making of the shoe, the insertion of the nails, and the external finish of the foot, are too well known, and publicly performed, to require the most trifling description. Although one general data, or fixed rule, is laid down, by which all good and sound-footed horses should be shod without an exception, (proportioning the form, size, substance and weight of the shoe to the use of the horse,) yet there are occasional deviations, which cannot consistently be avoided, but must be prudently submitted to, when diseases of the foot, or injuries to the hoof, render them truly necessary. Hoofs, it is well known, are not all alike, nor are the same hoofs always in the same state; some are preserved so by unremitting care, and strict attention; others are permitted to get into decay, and to become diseased by a want of both. The OPERATIVE FARRIER has his different distinctions and denominations for the various kinds of hoof which come under his hand; as the sound, strong, firm, black hoof, which is generally perfect, and seldom either defective or diseased; the rough and brittle hoof, which is mostly wide and weak, requiring nightly stopping at the bottom, and oiling round the top; the long, flat and shelly hoof, which runs all to