44 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



nothing to wonder at in their ill fuccefs. It 

 appears evident to me (I fay this after good 

 advice) that many of thofe hectic patients died 

 of the doctor. 



I have now arrived at a very difagreeable 

 part of my tafk, which were the omiflion at all 

 confident with my propofed plan, with fair 

 hifloric truth, or common juftice, I would 

 gladly have avoided. It is to examine the 

 pretended originality of a living author, who 

 has endeavoured to build a name on the ruins 

 of poflhumous reputation; who has attacked 

 the Hefencelefs dead, and with an arrogant 

 rudenefs torn the laurel from the brows of uni- 

 verfally acknowledged merit. The reader to 

 whom thefe fludies are familiar, will imme- 

 diately recognife in my defcription, the author 

 of The Gentleman's Stable Directory. 



Before I proceed, I may with the utmoft 

 truth difclaim all motives of perfonal intereft 

 or refentment. I have not the honor of an 

 acquaintance with Mr. Taplin, either directly, 

 or through the medium of any connection 

 whatever. Yirgilium tantum vidi. The fum 

 of my information refpecting him perfonally, 

 is, that he is a good practical veterinary fur- 

 geon, and that he has erecled, at a confiderable 

 expence, and upon a large fcale, a fuite of 

 flables, with all convenient and neceflary offices, 

 by him denominated, " The Equeflrian Recep- 

 tacle." 



