DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70300#0370
330 kirby’s wonderful museum.
pied much of his time. In the morning, preparatory to
his setting out, he washes and rubs his legs and feet with
chamber-ley, at the same time using the most soothing and
’affectionate language, the pony neighing to him in return;
and it is presumed that he never once struck him. So great
is the attachment between these two eccentric beings, that
when the Abbe remains longer than ordinary at the house
where he is giving his lessons, the animal neighs with frequent
and great vehemence, as if calling on him to proceed ; and if
able to loosen his reins, and the door of the house should be
open, he immediately enters, and proceeds to find his master,
whether above stairs or below, these being no bar or impedi-
ment to his progress, entering the room, if open, to the great
terror of his young pupils, and the amusement of the elder.
The Abbe, when mounted, forms altogether a most gro-
tesque and eccentric appearance—a shabby black coat, small
round hat, face at all times very dirty, and a real French
postilion’s whip in his hand. From the stirrup leathers
having been so frequently broke and tied in knots, his knees
are nearly on a level with the pummel of the saddle. The
girths are also in the same predicament, as well as the bridle
and crupper, a knot with the two ends sticking out, being the
most ready mode the Abbe has recourse to on these occasions :
on the pummel is fastened by pieces of cord, this being pre-
sumed to have been obtained from the streets during his
perambulations, also full of knots, an old and ragged great-
coat, clumsily made up into a roll; the tail and mane of the
horse are rugged in the extreme, being cut in notches, as if
done with a bad knife, so that even two hairs seem not of a
length. On horseback he appears in great haste, his motions
in the saddle being much faster than the pace of his horse,
which never proceeds beyond a shuffling trot. In this man-
ner, he daily proceeds to the various quarters of the town,
where his avocation calls him, and at all times with the
greatest punctuality, may be met with going his rounds. His
usual hour of going out, is about nine o’clock in the morning;
pied much of his time. In the morning, preparatory to
his setting out, he washes and rubs his legs and feet with
chamber-ley, at the same time using the most soothing and
’affectionate language, the pony neighing to him in return;
and it is presumed that he never once struck him. So great
is the attachment between these two eccentric beings, that
when the Abbe remains longer than ordinary at the house
where he is giving his lessons, the animal neighs with frequent
and great vehemence, as if calling on him to proceed ; and if
able to loosen his reins, and the door of the house should be
open, he immediately enters, and proceeds to find his master,
whether above stairs or below, these being no bar or impedi-
ment to his progress, entering the room, if open, to the great
terror of his young pupils, and the amusement of the elder.
The Abbe, when mounted, forms altogether a most gro-
tesque and eccentric appearance—a shabby black coat, small
round hat, face at all times very dirty, and a real French
postilion’s whip in his hand. From the stirrup leathers
having been so frequently broke and tied in knots, his knees
are nearly on a level with the pummel of the saddle. The
girths are also in the same predicament, as well as the bridle
and crupper, a knot with the two ends sticking out, being the
most ready mode the Abbe has recourse to on these occasions :
on the pummel is fastened by pieces of cord, this being pre-
sumed to have been obtained from the streets during his
perambulations, also full of knots, an old and ragged great-
coat, clumsily made up into a roll; the tail and mane of the
horse are rugged in the extreme, being cut in notches, as if
done with a bad knife, so that even two hairs seem not of a
length. On horseback he appears in great haste, his motions
in the saddle being much faster than the pace of his horse,
which never proceeds beyond a shuffling trot. In this man-
ner, he daily proceeds to the various quarters of the town,
where his avocation calls him, and at all times with the
greatest punctuality, may be met with going his rounds. His
usual hour of going out, is about nine o’clock in the morning;