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    • Chapter

      29 Cockneys

      29 Cockneys Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 29 of "Black Beauty" provides an insightful perspective on the experiences and challenges faced by horses under the care of different drivers. The chapter criticizes the steam-engine style of driving, predominantly adopted by cockney drivers from towns unfamiliar with the nuances of horse handling, treating horses like inanimate machines rather than sentient beings. These drivers, lacking experience and empathy, often push horses beyond their limits, disregarding road conditions, inclines, and the…
    • 28 A Job Horse and His Drivers Cover
      by LovelyMay In "A Job Horse and His Drivers," from the novel "Black Beauty," the narrator, a horse named Black Beauty, recounts the various experiences of being driven by different kinds of drivers after becoming a "job horse," rented out to whoever wished to hire him. His gentle and good-tempered nature meant that he was often leased to inexperienced drivers, exposing him to an array of poor driving techniques. Black Beauty first discusses drivers who keep the reins excessively tight, believing that control over…
    • 27 Ruined and Going Downhill Cover
      by LovelyMay In chapter 27 of "Black Beauty," Beauty narrates his experience of recovery and reuniting with his friend Ginger after both had suffered due to the negligence and ill-treatment of their riders. After Beauty’s knees healed, he was turned into a meadow alone, where he felt the pangs of loneliness until Ginger joined him, also in recovery after being pushed too hard in a race by Lord George. Ginger and Beauty shared their grievances, reflecting on how their prime years were marred by a drunkard and a fool,…
    • Chapter

      26 How it Ended

      26 How it Ended Cover
      by LovelyMay In the dead of night, Black Beauty hears the distant sound of a horse's hooves, growing clearer and nearer, indicating someone might be coming to find them. The noise, recognizable as Ginger's steps attached to a dog-cart, brings hope. As the cart approaches, Black Beauty neighs and receives a response from Ginger, accompanied by men's voices. They discover Reuben, prone and unresponsive on the ground, later pronounced dead with noticeable coldness and blood-soaked hair, suggesting a severe injury. The…
    • Chapter

      25 Reuben Smith

      25 Reuben Smith Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 25 of "Black Beauty" introduces us to Reuben Smith, a highly skilled and knowledgeable stable hand at Black Beauty's residence, who took charge during York's absence in London. Reuben was exceptional in his understanding and treatment of horses, combining gentleness with expertise gained from his time spent with a veterinary surgeon. His abilities in driving, from four-in-hand to tandems, were unparalleled, and his amiable nature and good looks made him well-liked among his peers and the horses…
    • 24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse Cover
      by LovelyMay In the opening of spring, Lord W---- and his family, including York, journeyed to London, leaving behind the horses, including the narrator (Black Beauty) and Ginger, under the care of the head groom and the remaining family members. Among those left at the hall was the Lady Anne, an adept and passionate horse rider, who favored Black Beauty, naming him "Black Auster," for her rides. The narrative also introduces a gentleman, Blantyre, and another horse, Lizzie, known for her lively spirit but expressed…
    • Chapter

      22 Earlshall

      22 Earlshall Cover
      by LovelyMay Earlshall Park, under the new management of Mr. York, marked a significant transition for Ginger and me. Having been brought over by John from our previous residence, we were introduced into a grand yet entirely different environment. The estate, belonging to the Earl of W---, was expansive, adorned with a fine house and vast stabling facilities. Upon arrival, we were taken care of in airy stables, a comfort albeit temporary, as we soon learned of the impending changes to our accustomed routines. Mr.…
    • Chapter

      21 The Parting

      21 The Parting Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter 21 of "Black Beauty," titled "The Parting," a bittersweet transition unfolds, marking the end of several years of happiness for the protagonist and his companions. The mistress's illness necessitates a move to a warmer climate for her recovery, setting in motion a series of farewells and relocations for the household and the horses alike. Black Beauty narrates the emotional toll this change takes on both the humans and animals involved with a poignancy that reflects the close bonds…
    • Chapter

      20 Joe Green

      20 Joe Green Cover
      by LovelyMay In this chapter of "Black Beauty," a young boy named Joe encounters a distressing scene at Mr. Clay's brick-yard, where he witnesses a man brutally flogging two horses. Driven by a heartfelt compassion and urgency, Joe approaches Mr. Clay to intervene on the horses' behalf, offering evidence against the cruel handler if necessary. This episode not only highlights Joe's inherent kindness but also his courage in standing against animal cruelty, a theme central to the narrative. Mr. Clay's immediate…
    • 19 Only Ignorance Cover
      by LovelyMay In the chapter titled "Only Ignorance" from "Black Beauty," the reader is presented with an intimate glimpse into the convalescence of Black Beauty following a serious illness. Under the watchful care of Mr. Bond, the horse-doctor, and John, Beauty recounts the fragile state of his health, expressing the depths of his weakness especially after an episode where he was bled, leaving him faint and contemplating death. Moved to a quieter stable for recovery, away from his stablemates Ginger and Merrylegs,…
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