198 Ha7'k Away. 



back, clothed in full hunting costume, black cap, 

 scarlet coat, white leathers, neat top-boots, spurs, 

 and whip ; the steed he was bestriding being a useful- 

 looking chesnut, fit to carry fourteen stone across a 

 stifi" country. My first impression was that the little 

 intellect I have had been deranged by accidental 

 contact with Mother Earth. 



Quickly realising the fact that this was no heated 

 vision of a distorted brain, but a living and moving 

 reality, I came to the conclusion that he it was that 

 was mad. What short of insanity could induce a man 

 to put on his hunting toggery and ride deliberately 

 through the streets on such a bitter day as this? 

 However, on a closer approach, the illusion was 

 promptly dispelled, for I found he was the latest 

 idea in advertising, probably the suggestion of some 

 " Willing " mind, for imprinted on a smart saddle 

 cloth I read that Disher's ale was to be had in per- 

 fection at the Horseshoe Restaurant. A novel idea 

 truly ! 



Then I wended my way to Aldi'idge's, and looked in 

 at that old-established " Repository," as it used to be 

 called, which has been in existence for a period of 

 upwards of a century. Many a good horse have I 

 bought at the fall of the hammer at this well-managed 

 mart. The class of animals to be met with are useful 

 harness horses, hacks, and hunters, and after that a 

 lower grade, namely, those suitable for omnibus and 

 cab work. Any one well up in horse flesh may lay 

 out his money here to advantage. Most of the nags 

 are sold without warranty. I remember once seeing 

 a horse at the hammer, one of a lot of Joshua East's, 

 that had been sent to be sold for what they would 



