The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2): Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the FieldTaplin, William
Science
The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2): Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the Field
Taplin, William
Hunting -- Dictionaries; Sports -- Dictionaries
Notwithstanding the advantages already resulting to the public at large,
time alone can demonstrate what emoluments will be derived by the
numerous individuals who were encouraged, by specious appearances, to
embark in the undertaking: one thing seems at present incontrovertibly
certain, that of those who have entered into the profession, the greater
part did so with an intention (since confirmed) of becoming MASTERS
immediately upon obtaining a certificate, and quitting the College; and
hence it is we have a _veterinary surgeon_ in every street and lane of
the Metropolis, with as great a scarcity of expert _journeymen_ as
before the institution took place. Experience and attentive observation
must have convinced every enlightened, humane, and liberal sportsman,
that the shoeing-smith has a life of _labour_ and _drudgery_, for which
he is the _least_ paid, and the _worst_ looked upon, of any tradesman in
the numerous catalogue of those who have a subsistence to obtain by the
sweat of the brow.
That the science of shoeing, and system of farriery, has seldom or ever
been undertaken or practised in this kingdom, but by men of the lowest
order, and without the advantage of education, must be candidly and
clearly admitted; the reason must be equally striking, and can stand in
little or no need of elucidation. Are there any attractions (as they are
now paid or compensated) beyond drudgery, degradation, and impending
indigence? Incessant labour during the early part of life, and
inevitable _poverty_ in _old age_, have, for century upon century, been
the hard-earned lot of _nineteen_ out of every _twenty_ shoeing-smiths
from one extremity of the kingdom to the other. Can it be expected that
those of much mental brilliancy, or manual dexterity, will prostitute
both, and descend to so dangerous, so laborious, and so degrading an
occupation, without even a chance of adequate compensation? These, it is
to be presumed, are very fairly inferred reasons why the practice has
always remained in a state of uncultivated sterility; from which even
now it appears not to be permanently rescued; for, exclusive of the
palpable inconveniencies, and discouraging prospects, already described,
which, to a man of spirit and emulation, are sufficiently disgusting,
when he adverts to the inferior rank he is in future destined to hold in
the scale of society, he becomes conscious of his own insignificance;
and, whatever education he may possess, or whatever knowledge he may
have attained, he feels but little probability of being held in a degree
of public estimation superior to the parochial _scavenger_ or _nightman_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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