ROAD HORSES. 375 



In pecuniary compensations of this kind 

 it is ridiculous to be on the penurious side 

 of gratification ; a single shilling very fre- 

 quently, IN THEIR OPINION, COUStitutCS the 



line pf distinction between '' a ^gentleman" 

 and '' A BLACKGUARD ;'* then who would 

 encounter 



*' The insolence of office, and the spurns 

 That patient merit of i\v unworthy takes," 



when "^ a good name," with a profusion of 

 adulation, may be purchased for so paltry 

 a consideration ? In short, although the ex- 

 penses attendant upon the conveniences of 

 such receptacles constitute a tax of enormity, 

 yet, if j^ou wish to insure your own comfort, 

 with the safety of your horse, you have no 

 alternative but to consider them debts of 

 honour that must be paid. 



Before we bid adieu to the subject of Road 

 Horses, it cannot prove inapplicable to intro- 

 duce a few remarks upon the inconsistency of 

 washing the bodies of post' ai^d stage horses 

 all over with cold water, so soon as they are 

 taken out of their harness, when in the high- 

 est state of perspiration, 'fhis custom is 



