_A Journey and its Consequences._
You will do me the justice to believe I did not quit Fenton Hall
without a sigh; I am so tenacious of being included amongst the
gourmands, that I am really scrupulous of declaring all I felt when the
blue apron of Mrs. Bond was lost to my view.
Suffice it to say, my sensibility was painfully awakened: but alas!
there is no way of describing our griefs pathetically. If I said my
tears flowed plenteously, you would laugh at the idea of a Donkey’s
tears; pallid cheeks do not rank amongst our personal beauties.
It is impossible to attempt the heroic style in the biography of an
Ass; I must descend, and in simple language tell you, my heart was
heavy, and I could not disguise it. It was some consolation to me to
perceive, that Robert seemed sorry to part with me, I rubbed my nose
gratefully against his sleeve as he threw the reins round my neck. The
doctor had mounted his horse and taken the bridle in his hands, when he
questioned Robert respecting my temper &c.
“He is as good a Donkey as can be Sir,” said Robert, “he has not had a
fair chance here, but I will answer for him where he is well used.”
The doctor vouched for the humanity with which I should be regarded
where I was going, and we issued forth.
This eulogium of the groom’s, deserved and attained due consideration
from me. “In giving me a good character to my new master, Robert has
done me all the service he could,” thought I, “yes, it must be my
constant endeavour to merit the patronage of my employer:” and like
half a thousand projectors, I was laying down a plan of conduct perfect
in theory, though its practice proved too much for donkey philosophy.
The gentle pace of the doctor, and his encouraging expressions,
beguiled a journey of five miles insomuch, that before we reached
Penrose, Mrs. Manton’s home, I found my spirits greatly revived. That
prejudice known to exist between the horse and Ass had subjected me
more than once to a contemptuous glance from my companion. I bore this
patiently, perceiving that his rudeness did not escape the notice of
my master, who was obliged to use his whip in order to make Martello
quicken his pace. I entreat you to understand, that I did not rejoice
in the stripes Martello received. No: it was my sense of the politeness
due to me as a stranger which led me to hope the Doctor’s reproof might
prove salutary.
Penrose was delightfully situated, not so spacious as Fenton Hall, but
an air of comfort was diffused through the grounds; the cattle seemed
to enjoy the most luxuriant pasturage, while the dwelling of my master
appeared a perfect picture. “Happiness must reside here,” thinks I to
myself, and in the fulness of my joy I was no sooner shewn into the
paddock than I rolled on the grass, as if to take possession of this
charming spot of earth. Imagine my confusion on discovering Martello
and an old mare eyeing me with disdain from a neighbouring enclosure;
recovering my feet, I returned their stare. I had heard Mrs. Bond say,
“A cat might look at a king: and surely an Ass might look at a horse!”
Whether my countenance has any thing very comic in it, or that my
juvenile effrontery moved their risibility I know not, they snorted
loudly, threw back their manes and galloped away.
While yet I was reflecting on the arrogance of my neighbours, the
Doctor and his son entered the paddock.
“If I thought we could get a side saddle in the village,” said Mr.
Manton, “I should like to have the Donkey completely caparisoned before
Caroline sees him.”
“Shall I go to Wilcox? perhaps he has one,” replied Mr. George
Manton--my master acquiesced, and the gay gentleman departed on his
errand.
What a palpitation I experienced during his absence! it was evident I
was the appointed servant of a lady, and a white leather bridle seemed
the natural consequence of such a distinction.
I paced the field, peeped over the gate, and regarded every approaching
passenger with fixed attention. “Hope was deferred;” George Manton
returned alone--my chagrin would have been obvious, did Donkey
physiognomy make any figure in the studies of the biped. Be that as it
may, my bosom admitted the good within my reach; the young gentleman
patted me on the head as he passed, and as I followed him plucked some
grass with which he condescended to feed me; delighted with these
attentions I continued to accompany him. The Doctor joined us; when I
had the pleasure of hearing that Wilcox would bring a saddle he thought
likely to suit in the course of an hour. I had fancied myself rather
fatigued from my journey, but this intelligence so entirely altered my
feeling I seemed equal to any effort and only longed for the arrival of
the sadler.
That blissful moment came--the saddle fitted, and oh! enchanting sight!
the “white leather bridle” at length graced my figure. Transported
with myself, I would fain have sought some liquid stream in which I
might catch a glimpse of my person; the thing was impracticable at this
juncture; and though the sun shone, and occasionally traced my shadow
accurately, there was nothing to excite one’s vanity in this sort of
reflection. It is true, I was mindful of my carriage, wore my ears
erect, and was in that happy temper of mind, which makes every thing
agreeable. I yet knew it was possible to increase my satisfaction, and
I had every disposition to make the attempt. Mr. George Manton attended
my toilet, and was pleased to express himself much to my liking.
“Poor Caroline will be delighted with her Donkey,” said he, and he
sighed; “dear girl,” he continued, “may it afford you a transient
gratification, and we will endeavour to be satisfied that our
intentions are directed to your comfort.”
“Ah! this is just what she will like,” said the Doctor examining me,
“come, George, lead him into the court, and I will persuade her to walk
on the lawn.”
George Manton took the reins and I hastened to meet my mistress; as we
turned the angle of the house, I discerned a sweet looking girl leaning
on the arm of the Doctor.
“My dear sir,” said Miss Caroline, “how kind you are! I shall be afraid
of expressing my wishes, if I am to be the occasion of so much trouble
to you;” and walking towards me, she declared I was the handsomest
Donkey she had ever seen.
“And I hope he is appointed to carry a docile girl,” smiled the Doctor,
“who will never venture to misapply terms, and call that a trouble
which is my highest gratification.” Miss Caroline pressed the hand of
the Doctor, I thought she looked sorrowful, but it was very becoming to
her for her manner was perfectly natural. Mr. George Manton proposed
her trying me immediately; my fair mistress making no objection, I had
the inexpressible delight of conveying her to a spot called Prospect
Point, at the summit of an adjacent hill. George Manton walked by my
side, occasionally applauding the steadiness of my pace and bestowing
on our species in general the most flattering commendations. “Yet the
Ass is an animal whose services are ill requited,” said my mistress.
“Cruelly so,” replied George Manton. “I declare I have often felt
disposed to interfere in their behalf, particularly in London; where
the heaviest loads are imposed on them without the least regard to
their strength, or the poor food on which they subsist.”
“I have often thought the hardy nature of the ass exposed them to
greater suffering,” resumed Miss Caroline; “we are anxious to provide
for those creatures whom nature has made less independent, while such
as can shift for themselves are liable to neglect.”
“This does not excuse us, Caroline; on the contrary it places our
characters in a most unamiable point of view. There is a want of
feeling, of common gratitude, in denying our support to the animal
that performs its duties faithfully, and as I believe few persons deny
the advantages of economy, I cannot comprehend why the services of the
humble Donkey should go unrewarded.”
“If this poor fellow could understand us,” rejoined my mistress, gently
stroking my neck, “he would know he had fallen into good hands; but the
brute creation collectively claim my compassion; there is something
shocking in the idea of a horse, a dog, or any animal, being pampered
and petted one day, and on the next ill used, if not starved.”
“The fluctuating nature of that animal, man, makes this too probable,
Caroline; as your knowledge of the world increases you will find this
instability is not confined to his dumb inferiors; power is a dangerous
weapon, and, like riches, frequently changes the character of its
possessor.”
My mistress smiling replied, “Well, George, we shall see how you use
your wealth.”
The young gentleman answered gaily, but there was a melancholy sat on
his brow which to me appeared extraordinary. The dew beginning to fall,
we turned towards home, where I left my lovely burthen and repaired to
a comfortable shed appropriated to my use.
It would be impossible to picture my individual happiness at this
period; but alas! I had drawn a false estimate of that of the Penrose
family. Miss Caroline was not the daughter of the Doctor but his
ward; the sweetness of her temper had endeared her to every member of
the family; the servants contended who should wait upon her, and it
was with deep regret I perceived she daily required more assistance;
naturally delicate, my respected mistress had taken cold after dancing,
consumptive symptoms ensued, and when I became an inhabitant of Penrose
paddock, the Doctor considered her situation hopeless. Mr. George
Manton would sometimes fancy he saw an improvement in her looks; his
father repressed these hopes, gently reminding him that the disease
under which Miss Caroline languished was frequently most flattering
when its last and more fatal symptoms were at hand.
How sweet were my labours in the service of Caroline Morden! with what
zeal I attended her pleasure, and how humane was the conduct of Mr.
George Manton! This young man, then in his nineteenth year, possessed
all that information which distinguishes the more advanced in life,
without a particle of vanity: his opinions were given with so much
deference, there was so much pliability in his temper, I think it would
have improved the most stupid Ass in the world if he had the benefit
of observing the manner, and listening to the conversation of this
excellent youth.
I freely confess my obligations to this young gentleman. The degrading
insults I received from Martello and old Bessy, a half blind mare, had
more than once roused me to anger--it might be jealousy on their part,
for my situation was certainly most enviable--but there is something in
contempt which even an Ass is disposed to resent. Straying into their
demesne one evening, I was pursued from place to place, snorted at and
treated with every indignity; it was in vain I endeavoured to repel
their attacks; fortunately Mr. George saw my distress and came to my
relief. When recovered from my fright I could scarcely help smiling at
the idea of an animal so large as the horse being so easily subdued
by man. At this moment the Doctor joined his son, and hearing of my
fracas, a conversation ensued which helped to enlighten me in this
respect.
“One wonders to see the antipathy of these animals so lively in their
domesticated state,” said George Manton; “the query to me is, whether
the Ass is a degenerated horse, or a distinct species.”
“Buffon says, the Ass is not a horse degenerated,” replied the Doctor,
“that like all other animals he has his family, his species and his
rank; his blood is pure, and although his nobility is less illustrious,
yet it is equally good and ancient with that of the horse.”
“In his wild state, the Ass becomes a formidable enemy to the horse,”
resumed Mr. George.
“Yes, they will not suffer a horse to associate with them, and should
one stray where they are feeding, they attack him with the most savage
fury, never quitting him till he appears to be quite dead. Thus, though
man by cultivation and care seems to have changed the characters of
domestic animals, I am of opinion that nature is more frequently
restrained than subdued; there will be less ferocity in the creature
that is uniformly well treated, but even the dog, that sagacious,
faithful friend, has been known to turn against his oppressor though
that oppressor was his master.”
“Then you allow the existence of temper in the brute creation, Sir?”
“Why I think it is impossible to deny it, George;” replied the Doctor,
“the schoolmaster’s rod is not more efficacious on occasion than the
whip of the horseman; and with respect to the horse, I would say, this
truly noble animal is tenacious of his rights, feels his superiority
over all other quadrupeds, and, though capable of the warmest
attachment, is at times subject to the caprices of temper.”
“I have certainly observed a degree of obstinacy, as of passion, in
the animal in question, and grieved to witness the chastisement he has
in consequence received; yet one ought not to wonder at this when we
reflect on the slight causes that rouse _us_ to irritability.”
“Poor Caroline’s favourite must be confined to the paddock,”
resumed the Doctor, “Martello is a high spirited Castilian, but
like his species will acquire humility as his services become less
distinguished.”
“The patience of the Ass, makes him valuable in my eyes,” continued Mr.
George, leaning on my back and kindly smoothing my coat.
“And what is remarkable, George,” said the Doctor, “from the moment the
Ass carries his first load, this tractability is a striking feature in
his character.”
The arrival of my mistress, who approached us leaning on the arm of her
maid, interrupted the conversation. If I could have felt angry in her
presence, this would have been the moment, for I was listening with all
my ears, and when their length is considered, it will be admitted that
few animals possess more extensive opportunity for the acquisition of
knowledge.