MISCELLANEOUS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 966, 30 April 1872, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

Mr Spurgin writes to say that he has noticed horses becoming lamed or strained in consequence of their efforts to retain their foothold, and he strongly recommends the use of the Charlier shoe, with which all the omnibus horses are shod in Paris. It is much lighter than our shoe, and lets inJ;o a groove made in the hoof by means of a knife. The horse's frog and bars are allowed to grow, so that the horse is supported by the whole foot instead of merely the iron of the ordinary shoe. The frog soon becomes hard, but is not painful, and concussion is avoided. There is no doubt that our method of shoeing is far from being useful or humane ; but amongst shoeing-smiths, as amoDgst other mechanics, there is such a strong " protectionist" feeling that it is very doubtful whether they could he induced to put one of the Charlier shoes on. Exercise is a very important vital stimulus ; that is to say, the organs of the body cannot perform their functions properly unless the body be frequently put, for a longer or shorter time, into more or less rapid motion. Exercise is required in order to keep the circulation from becoming slow, and the respiration from becoming languid; to preserve muscular strength and nervous power; to maintain the appetite, and the nutrition of the body; and to cast out fully and freely the poisonous secretions. An unreasonable and somewhat misanthropic acquaintance remarks that he has often heard the proverb, "A friend in need is a friend indeed," but says he can't see where the laugh comes in. He has a friend in need who is always borrowing money from bim. Papa, if I prove that a dog has ten tails will you give me a pair of skates ? —Yes. "Well, one dog has one more tail than no dog, hasn't he ?—Yes. "Well, no dog has nine tails, and if ono dog has one more tail than no clog, then one dog must have ten tails! A poor fellow was brought before one of the police justices recently, charged with being intoxicated. ' Well, why did you get drunk ?' ' See here,' was the reply, uttered in a hiccough and accent of drunken man,' what did you give a license for ?' Dr Johnson used to say, that a habit of looking on the best side of every event is better than a thousand pounds a year. Bishop Hall quaintly remarks, " Eor every bad there might be a worse; and when a man breaks his leg, let him be thankful that it was not his neck. Professor Porson having once exasperated a disputant by the dryness of his sarcasm, the petulant opponent thus addressed him : —"Mr Porson, I beg leave to tell you, sir, that my opinion of you is perfectly contemptible." Porson replied—" I never knew an opinion of yours, sir, which was not contemptible."