IN SEARCH OF A HORSE. 49 



into harness, until they have proved their inability 

 to carry weight. 



Two or three friends have entreated me to except 

 various commission stables from this sweeping cen- 

 sure. I regret that I cannot oblige them. Yet I 

 feel bound to say, that although I have never dealt 

 there, I have frequently been through Mr. Shackel's 

 stables in Oxford street, and have noticed many 

 horses in them of first-rate pretensions ; while the 

 courtesy and professional intelligence of Mr. Shackel 

 himself, have almost made me regret that I had no 

 occasion to avail myself of his services. 



After many anxious and ingenious experiments, 

 I have arrived at the conclusion that there are but 

 two tolerably secure modes of obtaining a good hack 

 for the saddle. 



The first, and by far the best, for a man who has 

 time and opportunity, is to visit the breeding coun- 

 ties, Norfolk and Lincolnshire especially, and by 

 introduction to some respectable farmer, to choose 

 for himself. If he distrusts his own judgment, it is 

 not difiicult to obtain the assistance of a practical 

 man, if he makes it his interest to serve him ; but 

 as there are few who can afibrd the time and trouble 

 5* 



