96 ENGLAND'S HORSES, 



another ; all depending upon the pace at which he is ridden 

 after hounds." So has written the astute and classic Nimrod 

 in his work " The Horse and Hound ; " and he continues 

 the subject to a considerable extent, taking care to give the 

 following caution and advice — not to trust to the glorious 

 uncertainty of law; but to be always provided with the 

 most experienced and honest professional man you can 

 procure, to examine for unsoundness on your behalf before 

 purchase, and with a practical friend or agent, as to the 

 animal's " points," action, capacity for, and adaptability to, 

 the purpose for which he is being purchased. Our author 

 says : — " In fact, as hnoidedge in horseflesh can only be the 

 result of experience, we strongly recommend all inexperi- 

 enced purchasers not to rely on their own judgments ! " 

 Previous to the establishment of my Agency,* nearly 

 twenty years ago, I am not aware that "inexperienced" 

 horse buyers had any resource in this most helplessly 

 pitiable of all incapacities, except they fell back upon the 

 dubious ability of an acquaintance ; or the assumed ability, 

 and, too generally, venal assistance of their groom or coach- 

 man. And what is the common extent of a " friend's " 

 knowledge ? He can tell you a riding horse from a clothes 

 horse ! But his assumption is magnificent, and inflated in 

 proportion to your own ignorance. It don't proceed from a 

 desire to hurt you. But -we are all weak on this subject. 

 You can canvass our musical abilit}^ ; sneer at our artistic 

 taste ; ignore our professions of general knowledge ; pro- 

 nounce our authority in Havanahs nil ; and our taste in 

 wines erroneous. We Britons can patiently endure and 

 forgive this ; but question the man's judgment in" horse 

 flesh, who fancies himself in that line, and you have to the 

 greatest certainty made a mortal enemy ! It is not only a 



* Note. — See Appendix for Terms and Testimonials. 



