176 THE ADVENTURES OP A GENTLEMAN 



Should it, however, be too apparent that the pur- 

 chase is substantially vicious or unsound, it should 

 be returned without delay, but not without due cau- 

 tion.* An immediate return is not necessary in 

 point of law, but it is certainly imprudent needlessly 

 to retain an unsound horse even for a day. The two 

 leading authorities on unsoundness are Mr. Sewell 

 and Mr. Field ; and before the animal is sent back, 

 both these gentlemen should be consulted. Their 

 opinions will only cost a guinea, and this sum is well 

 expended to assure oneself of scientific judgment. 

 If they difi'er in opinion, it will not be safe to enforce 

 the warranty : that they do sometimes differ, I have 

 had recent proof. A distinguished member of par- 

 liament lately offered me for sale a beautiful mare, 

 bred by himself. He was unwilling to warrant her, 

 and without a warranty I would not buy. He pro- 

 posed that she should be examined at the college, 

 and with this I was willing to take her. She was at 

 once pronounced lame, and on catechising the groom 

 that brought her, it turned out that she had hurt her 



* The reader must not infer from this passage that he is en- 

 titled, as a matter of course, to return a horse for a breach of 

 warranty. I again refer him to the subsequent pages for a full 

 explanation of the law on the subject of " return." 



