106 THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 



a beaten road, or over stones, particularly in dry 

 weather, a little warmth will generally be percepti- 

 ble ; but this should subside after two or three hours' 

 rest in the stall. A simple way of assuring oneself 

 of the accuracy of the observation, is by directing 

 the groom to wash the hoofs thoroughly, and no- 

 ticing whether one of them dries more rapidly than 

 the other. The feverish foot will always become 

 dry first, and recover its natural warmth in a few 

 minutes ; while the sound foot will remain cool. 

 Should a disposition to rest the heated foot be also 

 noticed, the horse may safely be set down as 

 unsound. 



I rejected a horse for this reason a very few weeks 

 after writing the preceding remarks. The owner, 

 who is a friend, as well as client of mine, and a gen- 

 tleman of great practical skill in stock, had offered 

 the horse on my own terms merely to oblige me, as 

 I had been in treaty for him before he purchased 

 him. He was surprised at my rejecting him, and 

 still more at the objection I made ; but having no 

 wish to sell the horse, he was rather pleased than 

 otherwise to take him back. It is now nine months 

 ago, and chronic lameness has shown itself for the 



