THE HOUSE. 93 



you are in any way particular to an inch. From the 

 foregoing observations it will be seen that a simple 

 warranty, " free from . vice/' applies to the stable 

 only ; to be quiet .in his work, and each particular kind 

 of work, must be specified, as in the first receipt. 



Quiet in Harness. 



" Warranted quiet in harness " does not imply the 

 long usage of a horse to that particular kind of work, 

 or that he has become particularly handy. All that it 

 engages is that the horse has been used sufficiently to 

 prove that any coachman of tolerable ability may drive 

 him without accident. Therefore, after buying a horse 

 thus warranted, before you put yourself to any expense 

 in returning him on account of an accident, be sure the 

 accident was not caused through your own negligence. 

 A little negligence or mismanagement may do a great 

 deal of mischief. Too rough a hand upon a sensitive 

 mouth, or a little nervousness or improper treatment in 

 the driving, or inattention to the harness, may be all 

 the fault, and, after being put to great expense and in- 

 convenience, you may still be obliged to retain the 

 horse, as all those things that seemed the effect of vice 

 have been occasioned by want of skill. 



A chance kick or rear, if merely in play, as is 

 generally the case when the animal is too fresh or in the 

 habit of looking or playing on seeing certain objects, 



