Black Beauty
Read the following extract carefully before answering the question:
As we came back through the park we met the Squire and Mrs. Gordon walking; they stopped, and John jumped off.
“Well, John, how does he go?”
“First-rate, sir,” answered John; “he is as fleet as a deer, and has a fine spirit too; but the lightest touch of the rein will guide him. Down at the end of the common we met one of those traveling carts hung all over with baskets, rugs, and such like; you know, sir, many horses will not pass those carts quietly; he just took a good look at it, and then went on as quiet and pleasant as could be. They were shooting rabbits near the Highwood, and a gun went off close by; he pulled up a little and looked, but did not stir a step to right or left. I just held the rein steady and did not hurry him, and it's my opinion he has not been frightened or ill-used while he was young.”
“That's well,” said the squire, “I will try him myself to-morrow.”
The next day I was brought up for my master. I remembered my mother's counsel and my good old master's, and I tried to do exactly what he wanted me to do. I found he was a very good rider, and thoughtful for his horse too. When he came home the lady was at the hall door as he rode up.
“Well, my dear,” she said, “how do you like him?”
“He is exactly what John said,” he replied; “a pleasanter creature I never wish to mount. What shall we call him?”
“Would you like Ebony?” said she; “he is as black as ebony.”
“No, not Ebony.”
“Will you call him Blackbird, like your uncle's old horse?”
“No, he is far handsomer than old Blackbird ever was.”
“Yes,” she said, “he is really quite a beauty, and he has such a sweet, good-tempered face, and such a fine, intelligent eye—what do you say to calling him Black Beauty?”
“Black Beauty—why, yes, I think that is a very good name. If you like it shall be his name;” and so it was.
Question: How does John Manly's description of the new horse to the Squire reveal both the horse's excellent nature and John's skill as a coachman? Support your answer with specific phrases from the text.
💡 Writing Tips
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When answering, focus on two aspects: what John says about the horse, and what his observations and handling methods tell you about himself. Look for adjectives John uses to describe the horse's qualities, and consider the situations he recounts to prove these qualities. Also, note any specific actions John took during these events that highlight his expertise.
📝 Sample Answer
John Manly's report effectively showcases both the horse's admirable qualities and his own competent horsemanship. He describes the horse as "first-rate," being "as fleet as a deer, and has a fine spirit too." This demonstrates the horse's physical capability and lively but controllable temperament. John also notes that "the lightest touch of the rein will guide him," indicating the horse's sensitivity and good training. John's own skill is evident in his detailed observations and calm reactions to potential challenges. For instance, when encountering the travelling carts and the gun firing, John highlights how the horse "just took a good look at it, and then went on as quiet and pleasant as could be," and "pulled up a little and looked, but did not stir a step." John's assurance, "I just held the rein steady and did not hurry him," shows his thoughtful and unhurried approach, allowing the horse to process new experiences without becoming frightened. His final opinion, that the horse "has not been frightened or ill-used while he was young," reveals his experienced eye for assessing a horse's past based on its present behaviour and composure, underscoring his deep understanding and empathy for horses.
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