INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. JJ 



tion, to the end of the piece. I fay my in- 

 telligent reader ; for there are others of a dif- 

 ferent defcription, who will enjoy their broad 

 grin, with this dclightfome author. Far from 

 envying, I felicitate them upon fuch an ac- 

 quifition ; his nonfenfe will exactly fuit their 

 own, as great wits jump. In the purchafe of 

 a Book, as well as of any other commodity, 

 a man furely ought to have money's-worth 

 for his money, and himfelf alone ought to be 

 the proper judge of what is fo. 



I have dated, and mofl truly, that my mind 

 is perfectly free of the fmallell tincture of 

 prejudice againft Mr. Taplin. What I have 

 faid, was extorted from me by the mere fenfe 

 of juftice, and an unhappy conftitutional attach- 

 ment to truth. Something may be urged, 

 perhaps, by way of apology for him. At the 

 time he firfl publifhed his work, every fuffici- 

 ent judge mult be convinced, that he had not 

 reaped the benefit of much experience in his 

 fubject, either as an equeftrian or veterinarian. 

 Seven or eight years practice, which he has 

 fmce had, mud: have amended that defect. 

 He may have obtained fome ballaft, to Ready 

 the flowing fail of his quick conceptions. 

 He has, I am informed, favoured the public 

 with the refult of his late practice, in a new 

 treatife, intituled, a Compendium of Farriery. 

 When an opportunity of perufal (hall offer, 



I flatter 



