IRISH HUNTERS. 159 



find that the English dealers have forestalled him. 

 Happily, there are so many good horses, perhaps I 

 should say, so few rank bad ones, bred in the country, 

 that from the very sweepings and leavings of the 

 market, one need not despair of turning up a trump. A 

 hunter is in so far like a wife, that experience alone will 

 prove whether he is or is not good for nothing. Make 

 and shape, in either case, may be perfect, pedigree 

 unimpeachable, and manners blameless, but who is to 

 answer for temper, reflection, docility, and the generous 

 staying power that accepts rough and smooth, ups 

 and downs, good and evil, without a struggle or a sob ? 

 When we have tried them, we find them out, and can 

 only make the best of our disappointment, if they do 

 not fully come up to our expectations. 



There is many a good hunter, particularly in a rich 

 man's stable, that never has a chance of proving its 

 value. With three or four, we know their form to a 

 pound ; with a dozen, season after season goes by with- 

 out furnishing occasion for the use of all, till some fine 

 scenting day, after mounting a friend, we are surprised 

 to learn that the flower of the whole stud has hitherto 

 been esteemed but a moderate animal, only fit to carry 

 the sandwiches, and bring us home. 



I imagine, notwithstanding all we have heard and 



