THE SADDLER by ALFRED PYNE  1851

 

-all beholden to the craft of the Saddler.

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From the meanest thong that binds the clog, to the reins which curb the steed, the Saddler's art is entirely involved in the rule and sway of animals. If the cord and the sack-cloth have disappeared in the elegant trappings of leather, tis his superior skill that has done it all; for the first Saddler twisted a rope of hay and platted a seat of straw, but soon found means to improve on this rustic handicraft, till the combined invention of ages eventuated in the harness and gear of modern times. Of all work in leather, the Saddler's is decidedly the most chaste, beautiful and durable-worthy of the intellect and taste of man, and the strength and grace of the horse he rides.

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Only look at tho even cutting, the elaborate sewing, the comely and ornamental dentures and seams-the gorgeous mounting-and the new, yet lasting appearance of his work -and dwell upon its use in restraining and guiding the noblest of quadrupeds to judge of the Saddler's ingenuity, perseverance, and taste. And well-according with this superiority of his craft, the tradesman himself has maintained his superiority over his fellow-mechanics; a Saddler is an artisan, gentleman, and always ranks above other journeymen.

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 "We who would consecrate every degree and order of labour-who find sanctity and religion in every stroke of man's arm or art, to perfectionate the world-we may not be expected to make or encourage distinctions or classes among tradesmen”. But the fact stands irrespective of our way of thinking and acting - the saddler is chiefest of mechanics. We speak, of course, of those who know their calling as an art, and thus practise it: there are rats in every trade All the modern improvements in Saddlery tend to give ease and freedom to the horse's motions and elegance to the equipage. Still this amelioration may go much farther, and we see no reason, why the noble animal should be stooped and burdened with a load of trappings and harness sufficient to weigh down and shackle the proudest energies. The collar is too often the cruelest flesh gnawing yoke, and the saddle itself is a fardel and encumbrance. In all cases, these should be made light and elastic, consistent with a proper degree of fineness and durability. 

 

The life of the driver or rider, next to his own skill, is in the hands of the Saddler ; unsound or bungling gear will peril him and his horse. Hence the fastidious and nice care perceptible even in the hidden parts of the manufacture. No work will bear taking to pieces so well as that of the Saddler: there are neatness and lastingness in concealed joinings and sutures, which, doubtless, will never reach the eye. Hence the high price of horse trappings-to meet the strength and wear and tear of the animal, and the taste of the man, the material must be elegant and durable, and will, therefore, be costly. Much of the old world heroism, and all the middle age chivalry, with our modern prowess in war, are, and have been, inwrought and inblended with the craft of the Saddler the ultimate use, whether bellicose or peaceful, must pass in his mind, before he can adapt the wide materials before him to its master purpose.  Now he follows the team across the field ; now the load over the highway ; then he goes with the charger to the wars, or accompanies the gracefully filly to the promenade ; or flies to the race-ground, and rules the winged speed of the winner, seeing, with his mind's eye, the horse and his rider in all their various situations, while cutting and shaping the pliant leather to the actual use and ornament of the occasion. All this implies high intelligence and art; and those who know the inconvenience and danger of bad horse-gear, can best testify the skill and ability required in the Saddler. Emblem of man's power, then, is his trade; associated in idea with much that is graceful and noble "The pride and circumstance of glorious war" – the elegant and useful arts of peace - the gay promenade, and the soul-spiriting, fiery race, have their curb and their rein, their rule and sway over the chief of animals, from the hands of the saddler, and without him, in some form, the menage would again be loosened into the desert-this Eden-restored in our taming of the lower world, would be lost and let wild again, and the primaeval curse thus far mitigated by the Saddler's art, would be visited again on fallen and savage earth! See, now, the scope of this man's craft, feel its importance and honour him in his high civilizing vocation.

 

And you, Saddler of every degree, as you stoop from your seat and toil, think of the religion of your labour; see the obedience of Paradise given back to earth in her animals through your aid - look at .man's strength and speed greatly multiplied behold the plough - follow the rich cavalcade, and the bold onset of battle in defence of fatherland ; and fool even to your heart's-core, that you are a parcel and part of all this sway and masterdom, and that your mission is not alone to perfectionate earth, but to give the reins over the lower world, to earth's lord, and make man, already great, greater in the prowess, and swiftness of the noblest quadruped.

 

Herein, then, is your fendal service to God-the fulfilment of His will. And as you work that will, by brow-sweat, do so with the lofty thought, that you are co-operating with Heaven, and beautifying earth-if thus practised as religion, it is the highest religion of perfection, and the goal of man's advance to a complete and finished immortality.