16 . OBSERVATIONS. 



being (at the time) free from every imperfec^ 

 tion, labouring under no impediment to sight 

 or action. This is. the established intent and 

 meaning of the word ^^ souncr* amongst gen-- 

 tlemen and sportsmen ; its explication and va- 

 rious uses, for the convenient purposes and 

 impositions of groo?ns, dealers, black-legs, and 

 jobbing itinerants^ are too perfectly under- 

 stood (by those who have run the gauntlet 

 of experience and deception) to require fur- 

 ther animadversion. 



However, as you can but very seldom pos- 

 sess the good fortune to purchase of a gen-- 

 tleman, it will prove no contemptible practice 

 to adopt the sage old maxun, and '' deal with 

 ** an honest man as you would w^ith a rogue:'* 

 this precaution may prevent a probable re- 

 pentance, and palpably urges the necessity 

 of putting your own judgment and circum- 

 spection in competition with the integrity of 

 your opponent, however he may be favoured 

 hy fortune or sanctioned by situation. 



The prudent or experienced purchaser con- 

 sequently commences his task of inspection 

 with care, caution, diwl circumspection, first ac- 

 curately ascertaining the shape, make, bone. 



