The Autobiography of a Horse
…and on the eighth day God created the horse in perfect image, to romp, graze, gallop, play, and make manure wherever it darn well pleases, in divine grace.
The novel “Black Beauty” was written in 1877 by the English author, Anna Sewell. (1) Her mother was Mary Wright Sewell, a popular writer of young adult novels.
The book was immediately a sensation, although it was written in Sewell’s last years of her life when she was home-bound and an invalid. She died 5 months after it went to print and it was her only novel.
Black Beauty has sold over 50 million copies, breaking sales records, and it is the 6th top best seller in the English language. (2)
The pervading theme throughout the book is a kindness to animals and Sewell brought to light the inhumane treatment of London city taxicab and hack horses, which were often brutally beaten and underfed. It subtly points out that animals should be treated with empathy, respect, and kindness.
Sewell knew first-hand about dependence and appreciation of things that are had and lost.
Having suffered a severe fall in the rain at age 14 while walking home from school one day, young Anna injured both of her ankles. (3)
The injuries were not cared for properly and she was disabled for the rest of her life and could not stand up or walk for any length of time.
Not being able to walk, she learned to ride and drive horses, and would drive her father to and from the train station every day, so he could commute to work in the city.
Being very dependent on horses to get around, Anna developed a great love and respect for them.
The story about Black Beauty is written in the 1st person, from the horse’s perspective.
In short, it is an autobiography of the horse, and while it wasn’t the first of its kind, Anna Sewell “broke new literary ground” with her descriptions and experiences through Black Beauty’s eyes. (4)
It was never intended to be a children’s novel, but many young people grow up having read the poignant and often sad book at a young age.
Perhaps you’ve heard me say before that I think there’s something wrong with a kid who hasn’t read Black Beauty; I have two copies in my library.
The book was written to teach adults sympathy, kindness, and a caring way for the treatment of horses.
The novel follows Black Beauty’s birth on a farm in the English countryside, where he is happy-go-lucky and playful.
After a severe fall damages his knees and his curbside beauty appeal, he is relegated to hard work.
Changes in family circumstances cause him to be sold and he falls through the hands of several owners, winding up as a London taxicab horse in the city.
Sewell portrays the hardships of work animals who endured cruelty and poor living conditions and a terrible lack of concern over their well-being.
Her detailed observations of equine gave the book tremendous credibility. Pointing out the “bearing rein” (over check) of high society Victorian England, along with the dreadful long working days and nights, poor stable conditions that were dark and dirty, and mistreatment of the taxicab horses, led to an outpouring of concern by citizens.
From Black Beauty’s viewpoint as a cruelly-treated London hack, readers of the novel gained knowledge and an inside view of how humans treated horses. It tried to get humans to give a better quality of life to horses and animals.
The incidents of cruelty are described in detail and the horses are given voices, thoughts, emotions, and reactions to how they were treated.
Bernard Unti calls Black Beauty “the most influential anti-cruelty novel of all time.” (5)
Strong reactions and outrage followed the publication of Black Beauty. In the US, one million copies were in circulation 2 years after its release.
Public interest in animal rights grew in the US and legislation was written in various states, bringing to light abusive human behavior toward animals.
In the story, as Black Beauty fell through the cracks and descended down the ladder of many owners, he received many names as he went along: Black Beauty, Black Auster, Jack, Blackie, Darkie, and Old Crony. (6)
Other equine characters in the book are Beauty’s mother, “Duchess”; his half brother, “Rob Roy”; “Ginger,” his friend; and “Merrylegs,” the pony. There is also “Captain,” a war horse from the Crimean War who works with Beauty in London, among others. (7)
Cruel taxicab owners would often charge high prices for fares, whip the horses mercilessly, and work them until they couldn’t stand up anymore. Dead horses were often found just laying in the streets.
Black Beauty’s story has a happy, if poignant ending, as he spends the rest of his days well-cared for by three kind ladies.
The Misses Lavinia, Blomefield, and Ellen enjoy his company, and Old Joe, their coachman, swears he recognizes Black Beauty as the Squire’s old horse by a small (white) spot on the animal’s body; “Beauty’s 3-penny bit.” (8)
In his retirement with the ladies, Black Beauty drifts into reveries of his life and day dreams of grazing under the apple trees with his friends from his early days, back at Birtwick Park.
Leaving you for this week with reveries and daydreams to the immortal words of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, “Happy Trails to You.”
1, 6,7, 8: “Black Beauty,” by Anna Sewell, Jarrold & Sons, Publishers London, UK, 1877
2 -5: Internet/ Wikipedia