INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 45 



tacle." It is againft his books folely, that I have 

 any objections to urge; and in fupporting 

 thefe, I fhall endeavour to treat the author 

 himfelf with as much refpect and confidera- 

 tion, as the nature of the cafe, and a candid 

 inveftigation of the truth, will poflibly admit. 



Some eight or ten years paft, the fporting 

 world, including thofe who had pretenfions to 

 veterinary fcience, were a good deal fuprized 

 by the advertifement of a book, under the title 

 of The Gentleman's Stable Directory; 

 which profeffed to teach " an entire improved 

 mode of practice," and to exhibit " occafional 

 remarks upon the dangerous, and almoft obfo- 

 lete practice of Gibfon, Bracken, Bartlet, 

 Ofmer, and others." As thofe authors were 

 then, as well as now, in the higheft. repute, and 

 as it was generally underflood that they owed 

 their great reputation to their fteady adherence 

 to the principles of truth and common fenfe, 

 and to their intimate knowledge of that philo- 

 fophical and rational medical practice, which 

 had fully obtained in their time; a new author, 

 whofe magnificent prornifes extended beyond 

 all this, was taken up with avidity ; but to be 

 laid down again, by thofe who were qualified 

 to judge, with derifion, mingled with aftonifh- 

 ment. To imitate for once the laudable exam- 

 ple of Mr. Taplin, who fpeaks of other men, 

 be it bad or good, with the moil unreflrained 



freedom 



