OBSERVATIONS. 21 ^ 



Such a combination of circumftances, tend- 

 ing fo much to perplex and confufe, urges the 

 neceffity of care, caution, and circumfpedtion. 

 The eyes oi Argus would hardly prove too nu- 

 merous upon the occafion, a bridle being as 

 neceflary upon the tongue as a padlock upon 

 the pocket; for, am.idft the great variety of 

 profeffional m.anosuvres in the art of horfe-deaU 

 ingy a purchafer muft be in poffeffion of a ereat 

 fliare oi good fortune or found judgment to elude 

 the ill effedls of deception and impoiition; a 

 circumftance fo univerfally admitted that go- 

 vernment confidered a fubftantial tax no im- 

 proper compliment to their iniquities. 



The inftitution was undoubtedly originally 

 good, and for fome years proved of the greateft 

 public utility : whether, like many other of the 

 moft valuable inftitutions, it has been profli- 

 tuted to the worjl cfpurpofes, remains with the 

 opinion of every reader to decide. For my 

 own part, however highly they may be ex- 

 tolled, or exteniively puffed, by the parties in- 

 terefted in their fuccefs, I muft confefs, I am 

 never included within their walls but I con- 

 ceive myfelf in the very centre of Chefterfield's 

 *' fmk of iniquity,'' and confider 2^ foundhor^Q 



C 3 from 



