Horses and Humanity

When I asserted that the _Yahoos_ were the only governing animals in my country, which my master said was altogether past his conception, he desired to know, “whether we had _Houyhnhnms_ among us, and what was their employment?” I told him, “we had great numbers; that in summer they grazed in the fields, and in winter were kept in houses with hay and oats, where _Yahoo_ servants were employed to rub their skins smooth, comb their manes, pick their feet, serve them with food, and make their beds.” “I understand you well,” said my master: “it is now very plain, from all you have spoken, that whatever share of reason the _Yahoos_ pretend to, the _Houyhnhnms_ are your masters; I heartily wish our _Yahoos_ would be so tractable.” I begged “his honour would please to excuse me from proceeding any further, because I was very certain that the account he expected from me would be highly displeasing.” But he insisted in commanding me to let him know the best and the worst.