Rarey, the Horse's Master and Friend

RAREY, THE HORSE'S MASTER AND FRIEND - 9

FAREWELL TO ENGLAND.

*Letter of Commendation from the Duke of Wellington* [Click to see full-size]

Returning to England in the spring of 1860, Mr. Rarey found himself even more famous than when he left. The news of his trip had preceded him. Colonel Thomas Seymour wrote: "Since his return, men and not horses have gone wild. If he could find a way of training the Cruisers of mankind, Christianity would assign him a place among the Apostles." Mark Lemon, editor of Punch, wrote: "I feel proud of knowing you and still prouder that I can call you my friend." Both in text and picture, Punch paid tribute to the young American and reflected the general applause. J. M. Browker, of Calcutta, editor of the Indian Field, offered his services in arranging a class, if Mr. Rarey would visit India and give a course of lessons in horsetraining. The invitation was declined, but Mr. Rarey was glad to give lessons to Captain Beresford who was later employed to carry the art to India. P. C. French, of Southampton wrote: "It is to be hoped that the horse will be henceforth better understood and better treated. The subject is now constantly discussed, and a dinner seldom passes without your name being mentioned in connection with this wonderful power you possess." C. Goodchild, of Enfield, wrote, asking for an interview, and saying that he could not otherwise tell of the good he had received from the lectures; he had successfully employed the method in the training of two ponies and a horse.

*Two Medals Presented to Mr. Rarey.*[Swedish medal, *left*, English medal, *right.*]

For a free lecture to the cabmen and omnibus drivers of London, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals presented to Mr. Rarey a splendid gold medal. The government employed him to teach his method to two classes of cavalry, and so the method was communicated to the entire army. Resisting many invitations to make England his home, he decided to return to his native land and, on October 27, 1860, gave a farewell lecture to an audience of 8,000 in Crystal Palace. In the course of his remarks, he thanked England for the great kindness he had experienced and hoped that the introduction of his method had been of advantage to the cause of humanity. He had always sympathized with the noble horse and he was delighted that he had been able to prove that so much might be done by kindness. Returning to America, he would bear the most grateful feelings toward the English people.

With the esteem of all he had met and unspoiled by their praise, Mr. Rarey took passage for New York. The Herald of November 11, 1860, hailed him as "the subjugator of vicious steeds, the recipient of honors and decorations from royal and imperial hands, the tutor of chevaliers and dames with equestrian tastes, the wearer of medals awarded by several humane societies of England and Scotland, the modern Centaur." "He is returning," continued the Herald, "after a three years' absence, during which he astonished high and low with proofs of his wondrous skill in taming refractory brutes. A cavalcade of our best horsemen and Amazons can be formed to escort this American prince of horse-tamers from the battery to the Fifth Avenue Hotel. And why should we not honor Mr. Rarey with a grand reception. He is one of those men whose talents have helped to make our country famous in other lands. In fact, in all departments of art and science, Americans have shown themselves first among the foremost. In his own useful way, Mr. Rarey has outstripped all the world. The very Arab marvels at his influence over the horse, and calls upon Allah to attest his wonderful power. Is it not then highly proper that we should extend a fitting reception to the great horse tamer? We feel assured that our suggestion will be acted on and that Mr. Rarey will meet a welcome worthy of him."

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