32 ANNALS OF HORSEMANSHIP. 



An Hoftler or (Ofteler, for fo I believe it 

 is ufually written, though I find in the moft 

 learned Di6tionary in our language, which 

 explains fome thoufands of words more than 

 Johnfon, that it is vulgarly and improperly 

 written OUteler, for Otfleler, query Oat- 

 ilealer, and this, it mult be allow'd, appears 

 to be the true word), an Otfteler then has 

 informed me, that it is a common trick 

 play'd upon Bagllers, or London Riders, 

 v/hen they are not generous to the fervants 

 in the Inn, for a wicked boy or two to 

 v/atch one of them, as he turns out of the 

 gateway, and to pop a bufh or iHck under 

 his horfe's tail, which he inftantly brings 

 down upon the flick, and holds it fail, kick- 

 ing at the fame time at fuch a rate as to 

 diflodge the Bagman that beilrides him. 

 (The annexed Plate will ihew how the ftick 

 fliould be placed). Here, Sir, is a horfe 

 that lifts up his hind legs without mov- 

 ing his fore ones ; and j uft the reverfe, as 

 I may fay, of yours ; and, perhaps, the hint 

 may be acceptable. Suppofe, then, when 

 your horfe has flown over a gate or a ftile 



in 



