150 . ON PURCHASE AND SALE. 



the horfe may not be rendered unquiet, either 

 defignedly, or at the mere prefence of an habi- 

 tual toi mentor. A (hort time fmce I had oc- 

 cafion to examine a horfe for a friend, at the 

 {lable of a conhderable dealer. It was a very 

 beautiful and v/ell-fiiaped nag, but as is com- 

 monly the hard fate of fuch, appeared to have 

 done too much work. The attendant^ from a 

 fuperabundant fhare of regard to my fafety, 

 muft needs hold the horfe's head w^hilft I ex- 

 amined his legs, ftill affuring me he was per- 

 fe6lly quiet ; neverthelefs, every time I attempt- 

 ed to feel below his knees, the horfe flarted, and 

 flew about the ftall in a firange manner, to the 

 no fmall rifk of my toes and fhins. Whilfl I 

 {food mufmg, and wondering v/hat befide the 

 devil could poffibly ail the animal, I difcpvered 

 a fliort whip under the arm of the jockey, with 

 which he had no doubt tickled the ,neck and 

 cheft of the horfe, whenever I (looped down 

 with the intent of handling his legs. I wifhed 

 this adept good morning. 



To any reader who may fuppofe I lay too 

 great a ftrefs upon a (table examination, I fliall 

 aflign what I elteem a very forcible reafon ; the 

 examinant will by no means find fo good an 

 opportunity abroad, when the horfe according 

 to commendable cuftom, (hall ' ave been fired, 

 and fet upon his mettl?, and when his own at- 

 tention muft inevit'^''-K' be divided. The ftall 



IS 



