IN SEARCH OF A HORSE. 241 



upon his hands, he ventured on no more puffing, 

 but allowed his own to go at its just value, which 

 proved exactly enough to buy him a new wig for the 

 circuit. 



I have been let into the secret by one of the 

 frequenters of these places. I have no reason what- 

 ever to distrust his information. As in commission 

 stables, it is rarely the case that a horse enters the 

 yard unknown to the jobbers about it ; and should 

 it so happen, a friendly glass with the under ostler, 

 or helper, will secure them full information ; of 

 course its value is at once known to a shilling. 

 Should it suit any of the fraternity, he will be 

 allowed to buy it somewhat under the mark — but 

 a stranger must smart for his intrusion; unless 

 known to be connected with the trade, the price is 

 run up, without much hazard of loss to the jobbers. 

 They buy, perhaps, a score of horses at the sale, 

 and when taken away, each selects those which 

 happen to be most suitable to his wants, and the 

 aggregate price of the lot is equitably divided 

 among them, according to their own estimate of 

 their value. Thus, had the poor tailor been led to 

 suspect his mare's blindness, by her running full 

 21* 



