OFFICIAL SHOW - HORSES.
IN the following extract from a description of a Russian Drosky, in the Sporting Magazine, we perceive a striking analogy to the system of official appointments in vogue in this country.
" They are generally drawn by two horses, one of which does all the work, and the other is merely kept for show, being taught to bend its neck outwards, and toss the head up and down. This bearing of its head has a dashing and spirited effect at first sight ; but when once accustotned to it, one is apt to pro- nounce it a foolish fashion. We were given to understand that what is consi- dered by the Russian gentry to be • the knuaing thing' is, to bring the show- hotse to such a pitch of agility that, while driving rapidly, he shall touch the ground with his nosttils, and toss the snow up in the air as be prances along. Some of those we observed could very nearly, as I thought, accomplish this feat."
• How completely this description of the " Show-horse" of the Russian tandem answers to the character of many an official " leader" in various departments of government ! The shaft-horse is typical of the " bumburoerat " of office. We daily see some such exhibition of the paces of these official " show-horses," who do nothing but "toss the head up and down" in this " foolish fashion," and, proud of their trappings and their bearing, prance and curvet, flinging up their heels, and shaking their manes, as they are driven along the Ministerial road-way, by some master band who holds the reins of office, and can do "the knowing thing," while the uninitiated bystanders gape, and are taken with the "dashing and spit ited effect."
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