from the March 5, 1898, issue of  The Rider and Driver:

The Torbay Nag

The horseless carriage attracts the attention of the visitor to New York. In Newfoundland he is struck by the sight of the almost horseless carriage.

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The gentle Torbay nags, which peck away at the hard roadway with their little hooves, seem to have such a small part in the motor arrangements of the outfit that one can hardly realize that they are doing all of the pulling. I wanted to go downhill all of the time when riding behind one them, just out of sympathy for the little beastlet, but I was assured that they preferred to go uphill. Probably on the theory that it felt so good when they got to the top.

In the cold northern climate the horses seem to contract in order to expose the smallest area of surface to the bleak winds, but all of the goodness of the big horse remains within the little one and the nags represent the peaceful ways of the hardy and hospitable inhabitants of the “Isle where sailors gang to fish for cod.”

I have often thought that these Torbay nags of Newfoundland would make interesting pets for children because they will keep good-natured under the inflictions that our dear barbarous progeny impose upon the things that they love most, and if anyone forgets to feed a nag it is of little consequence, because one such small meal as he would eat is a trifling affair. It is said that in winter they will dig down through the snow with their hooves and get a good living on the moss and dried grasses. I have also heard that in times of short rations they will eat dried cod fish, but I will not vouch for the truth of this statement.

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