Charcoal, s. Coal made by burning wood. Charcoal poultices are sometimes used to remove the fetid smell arising from greased heels.
Charge, v. To accuse; to command; to fall upon, to attack; to load a gun.
Charge, s. Care, trust, custody; command, commission; imputation; expense; onset; the quantity of powder and ball put into a gun; a preparation, or a sort of ointment applied to the shoulder-splaits and sprains of horses.
Charges are plasters applied to the legs to remove windgalls and lameness, previous to turning the horse out. Those in common use, are—
| 1. | Yellow rosin | 2 oz. |
| Burgundy pitch | 4 oz. | |
| Barbadoes tar | 2 oz. | |
| Bees-wax | 3 oz. | |
| Red lead | 4 oz. | |
| 2. | Yellow rosin | 1 lb. |
| Bees-wax | 8 oz. | |
| Common turpentine | 2 oz. | |
| Armenian bole, powdered | 4 oz.—Mix. |
The first three are to be melted together, and then the latter is to be added. The mixture is to be constantly stirred until sufficiently cold to be applied; and if it prove too thick when cold, it may be softened with a little oil or lard.
Charger, s. an officer’s horse.
Chariot, s. A carriage of pleasure, or state.
Charmer, s. One that has the power of charms, or enchantments.
The Charmer.—That individuals have exercised a powerful and unaccountable influence on the most unmanageable animals, by means which still remain a mystery, is certain. The most remarkable case on record, is that of an Irish blacksmith, who, by an undiscovered agency, could subdue the most vicious horses. He asserted, that this was effected by merely whispering in the animal’s ear some potent spell, and hence he gained the title of the charmer. This power over the most desperate horses was so often put to the test, that all doubt is idle. He never refused to enter the stable of horses that to all besides were unapproachable, and after a short tête-à-tête, the animal would be found trembling and subdued, and while every limb appeared convulsed with terror the charmer would pass under his belly, lift his feet, or do any thing he was required. In his repeated experiments upon the most savage horses, the charmer never received any injury, or failed in subduing the animal.