1827. 1 The Traveller 'A- Oracle. 38 Z 



throughout England in which a man of moderate fortune will find himself 

 served as he may be in his own house. In fact, it can hardly be other- 

 wise. Some people are accustomed io complain of tavern charges ; but 

 the cost of doing things really well (where a trader looks to realize a com- 

 petent interest upon his capital) would be enormous. Say that a man 

 who kept a line inn was entitled to gain twenty per cent, on his capital, 

 and thirty is not at all too much, looking to his risk, what price ought 

 wine to be sold at, whch has been lying five years (for age and improve- 

 ment) in his cellar ? 



" Never ask another person the motive of his travelling, the time he intends to 

 continue in a place, &c. 



" When you go out of an Inn, ride slow for half a Mile, and then you will 

 perceive if any one passes you ; and if he eyes you too much, be assured he's not 

 right; then either go back or stay for less suspected Company; but it is your* 

 Business to be cautious of them too. Ride at some little Distance, if a single 

 Man forces himself into your Company, notwithstanding the above-mentioned 

 Cautions, tell him you heard of a Hue and Cry after a Highwayman in the last 

 Town you came through ; observe his Countenance." 



This chastisement to gossips may be beneficially considered by other 

 persons besides travellers. There is not so offensive a rogue on earth as he 

 who cannot be alone ; and, even when he jumps out of bed in a morning, 

 runs into his neighbour's room before he can put on his breeches. The 

 only chance is to affront such people at once and have it over ; a course 

 painful to the benevolent mind, but necessary. 



The several chapters of the work dedicated to the management of horses 

 and carriages, do great credit to the sagacity and knowledge of the author, 

 both as regards the rules which he lays down for the purchase and pecu- 

 niary arrangement, and those which concern the guidance and bodily 

 management of such properties. The suggestions addressed to the keepers 

 of horses, touching 'Marge stalls," "easy fitting harness" (this should 

 especially be attended to in those parts of the furniture connected with the 

 head), and the necessity for keeping the padding of saddles dry upon a 

 journey, and the stable always clear from every kind of litter and impu- 

 rity, are worthy of a veterinary surgeon of dragoons. Stables at new inns 

 in the country will almost always be found built with stalls so wretch- 

 edly 'narrow, that a horse accustomed to better residence refuses to lie 

 down in them. There is always a serious danger, too, that your horse 

 may injure himself perhaps irreparably in having "- his head brought 

 round," as the grooms call it, in such miserable cribs. For carriage keep- 

 ing as well for the horses as the vehicle our author patronizes "job- 

 bing." Men, however, who can afford to be particular about their cat- 

 tle, and are fond of personally attending to such details, will reject this 

 system. A man who is disposed to treat his horse kindly, too, generally 

 likes him to be his oivn. The doctor, however, shall speak for himself 

 upon the subject ; for he does speak on it at much length, and " scholarly 

 arid wisely :" 



*' It is a very frequent, and a very just complaint, that the Expense of a Carnage 

 is not so much its First Cost, as the charge of Keeping it in Repair. Many are 

 deterred from indulging themselves therewith, from a consciousness that they are 

 so utterly unacquainted with the management thereof, they are apprehensive the 

 uncertainty of the Expense, and the trouble of attending it, will produce Anxiety, 

 which will more than counterbalance the comfort to be derived from it. 



" Few machines vary more in quality than Carriages, the charge for them varies 

 as much; the best advice that can be offered to the Reader is, to "Deal with a 

 Tradesman of Fair Character, and established circumstances. Such a person has 

 every inducement to charge reasonably, and has too much at stake, to forfeit, 



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