156 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



a woman of no small dimensions, going at a very 

 rapid pace, and drawn by a small ass. Curiosity led 

 me to follow them, when, as far as I could judge by 

 the pace of my own horse, I found they were going 

 at the rate of nine miles an hour on a very indifferent 

 road. On being observed by a friend, he rode up to me 

 and told me he had seen this humble vehicle on its 

 way to the course in the morning give what is called 

 the go-by to several carriages-and-four, and that he 

 was equally struck with the extraordinary appear- 

 ance and action of the animal. On my asking the 

 owner of him a few questions about him, he informed 

 me that he had done three miles in fifteen minutes 

 with him on the road for a wager, and that he would 

 back him to do it in less ; at the same time giving 

 me his address, when I found he was a blacksmith, 

 residing at Mitcham in Surrey. " Do you keep your 

 ass on Mitcham Common ? " said I, anticipating his 

 answer. "Oh, no!" replied the son of Vulcan, "he 

 has never been out of my stable for three years, and 

 he eats as good oats and beans as your horse does." 

 — " It is accounted for," said I to my friend : so we 

 pulled up our horses, and gave Neddy the road. 



Before I finally take leave of the evils of summering 

 horses at grass, I must be allowed one word more. 

 The reader wiU recollect my illustrating some of my 

 arguments against it, by describing the state in 

 which I saw seven hunters, the property of one 

 gentleman, at the concluison of the last summer ; 

 and also one mare which I went to look at on 

 purpose. I have now to add, that one of the eight 



