SHOEING of HORSES,—which for time immemorial remained in its almost original state, has for the last fourteen years become an object of importance and general investigation. What for a century before was never thought worthy a moment's consideration, but by those whose professional province it was to FORM the SHOES, and _set them on_, is at length found worthy the fashionable and condescending inspection of NOBLEMEN, GENTLEMEN, the _polished_ groom, and the illiterate stable-boy. This change is well known to have originated in the publication of "TAPLIN'S Stable Directory" 1789; which, from its unprecedented popularity, passed through TWELVE editions in the short space of four years. To the appearance of this work, upon a subject so long neglected, are the public indebted for the much-wanted veterinarian improvement which has since taken place; as well as for the constantly increasing influx of veterinary writers, who, speculating upon the success of the original reformer, have obtruded upon the world such an infinity of _imitations_, and such a profusion of what they have thought _improvements_, that the discerning part of the public (plainly perceiving the deceptive imbecility of such attempts) rendered them abortive; a multiplicity of books having been announced upon veterinary subjects within the last seven years, which have been immediately buried in oblivion, without a sale sufficient to pay even for the paper upon which the works were printed.
The rage for an improvement in the system of farriery which TAPLIN'S books had induced, extended to almost every part of the kingdom, and _necessitous_ adventurers became _vulcanian_ speculators in every direction. Various new, important and _infallible_ plans of SHOEING were _hypothetically_ introduced amongst the infant _crop_ of _newly-sown_ veterinarians; one avowed himself an advocate for _long_ shoes; another, for _short_ shoes; a third, for _high_ shoes; a fourth, for _low_ shoes, and _thin_ heels; a fifth, for _half_ shoes; and a still more _sagacious_ groupe of THEORETICIANS, for _no shoes at all_!!! To the great credit of the nation, and the strenuous endeavours of investigating individuals, this fashionable _thirst_ of _folly_, this _infatuating furor_, seems now in a great degree to have subsided, and affords reason to believe, as well as to hope, the _veterinary mania_ has (at least in this respect) attained its CRISIS; and that the only rational, safe, and judicious mode now in general use, will be no more attacked by the wild and chimerical speculations of those, whose want of professional skill and scientific information must ever render their schemes abortive.