47 Hard Times

Chapter 47 of “Black Beauty,” titled “Hard Times,” narrates a particularly challenging period in the life of Black Beauty under the ownership of Nicholas Skinner, a harsh and unkind master. Skinner, described with daunting features such as “black eyes and a hooked nose,” represented the epitome of cruelty towards horses and humans alike. His treatment of horses as mere tools for profit, without regard for their wellbeing, highlights the dire conditions Black Beauty endures.

This chapter starkly portrays the harsh realities of cab horses, emphasizing the lack of rest, cruel treatment, and the extreme demands placed upon them. Beauty recounts an episode where a party hires the cab for a long and strenuous trip, exacerbating Beauty’s exhaustion due to Skinner’s relentless work schedule and lack of care. Despite the protest of a young girl, who notices Beauty’s poor condition and pleads for kindness, the journey proceeds with a heavy load, leading to Beauty’s eventual collapse from overwork and exhaustion.

Beauty’s fall on Ludgate Hill serves as a climax to the chapter, illustrating the physical breakdown and the looming acceptance of death by Beauty. The response to Beauty’s fall, a mix of concern and apathy, showcases the varied attitudes towards horses in Victorian society. While some express sympathy, others, including Skinner, demonstrate indifference to Beauty’s suffering, focusing solely on practicality and profit.

Skinner’s consultation with a farrier reveals a lack of will to provide rest or care needed for recovery, opting instead for a decision that aligns with his business model: to work horses until they are no longer useful and then dispose of them without a second thought. This cruel and cold-hearted approach to animal welfare emphasizes the book’s critique of the mistreatment of animals, particularly in industries that exploit them for labor.

Through this poignant chapter, Anna Sewell continues to advocate for the humane treatment of horses, urging a society change in perspective and action towards these noble creatures. The tragic and vivid depiction of Black Beauty’s experience under Skinner not only evokes empathy but also a deeper understanding of the urgent need for animal welfare reforms.