IN SEARCH OF A HORSE. 103 



•the cicatrix appears of long standing. I was mount- 

 ed about a year ago on the handsomest cob in Lon- 

 don : I think I never saw a horse of finer frame, and 

 very few of better action. I bought him of Mr. Os- 

 born, and of course, for a price proportioned to his 

 apparent merit. I rode him for a week with perfect 

 satisfaction : indeed such was the admiration that he 

 excited, that I was repeatedly asked by strangers 

 about his pedigree and character. After the lapse 

 of six days, my groom informed me that he had cut 

 himself, I was incredulous : it proved to be a mere 

 scratch, and I attributed it to accident ; the follow- 

 ing day the blemish became more visible, and I rode 

 him back to Osborn's, to inquire whether it had been 

 habitual. Banks (the head groom) assured me that 

 it never occurred before, and could only be ascribed 

 to the sudden change in the horse's habits, from 

 idleness to regular work. Being an old customer at 

 the stables, I had not the least distrust of these assu- 

 rances, and continued riding him : for two days he 

 never touched himself, but after that time the injury 

 was becoming serious, and I called in the opinion of 

 Mr. Sewell. He at once pronounced him lame from 

 spavin. My reader must perceive that I am not quite 



