THE BATTERY MULE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 65, 17 March 1900, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE BATTERY MULE.

The mule, in spite of Mr Davitt's commendation, has not been improving his reputation of.late, and it was high time that some one who appreciated his virtues should come forward in his defen.ee. In the "Nineteenth Century" for January Mr 11. B, Townshend, who has known the mule in many lands, gives some interesting information on, his habits and qualities which place him in a not unpleasant light, THE MULE'S MULISHNESS. The pleasantest quality of the common mule is what if he were a man we would call his humanity, but by analogy are compelled to call his in it I ish ness. He is companionable, devoted to his mother, and—highest of all endowments —gifted with eternal youth. In fact, he is an incurable infant, and never grows- up to the end of his days: — He may not be aware that his father was a donkey, but he never can forget that his mother was a mare, nor does he want ever to be free from her leading-strings. The one desire of his life after lie is weaned is to find his mother again, and, failing her, his m'ateirnlal aunt; he, will cling- to her side, if permitted, for his whole life long, and his heart-broken wails when he is separated from her would split the ears and raise the pity of any one but a Mexican "arriero." But the mule is a philosopher too, so when he has not the company of the mare that he loves he consoles himself, with loviuig1 the mare that lie has ; he can always be induced to adopt a new aunt.

His childishness, however, is even stronger than filial love, and it is