IN SEARCH OF A HORSE. 329 



emption from radical constitutional defects, but in its 

 practical sense, it is construed so as to exclude every 

 defect by which the animal is rendered less fit for 

 present use and convenience." All these definitions 

 are vague, insufficient, and unsatisfactory ; although 

 my anonymous friend, in his practical construction of 

 the term, approaches very nearly to what I consider 

 ought to be its legal as wellas its usual meaning. 



Veterinary surgeons are sometimes equally inaccu- 

 rate. Mr. John Lawrence, who, I believe, was con- 

 sidered eminent in his profession, defined soundness 

 to imply, " not diseased, lame, blind, or broken- 

 winded, nor having at the time of sale any impend- 

 ing cause thereof." This definition is not only vague, 

 for disease is itself an uncertain term, but is also un- 

 intelligible. 



Mr. Taplin, in his Stable Directory, asserts the 

 sporting definition of the w^ord to be, "a perfect 

 state of both the frame and bodily health of the 

 horse, without exception or ambiguity ; the total ab- 

 sence of blemishes, as w^ell as defects; a freedom 

 from every imperfection, from all impediment to sight 

 or action." 



It is obvious that this definition is almost ludi- 



