170 ON PURCHASE AND SALE. 



tories are always full ; between that period and 

 Chriftmas the furplus is taken off, and prices 

 advance gradually until the feafon for the com- 

 pany to leave town, when it is not uncommon, 

 from various caufes, for them to fuffer a fudden 

 declenfion ; and in fome years, a horfe has been 

 purchafed at Midfummer five guineas cheaper 

 than he could have been obtained at Lady-day. 

 Thefe obfervations, fo trite and generally 

 known, I offer merely in the ftyle of memo- 

 randa. In the fame way I muff remark, that it 

 is by no means either prudent or advantageous 

 to part with a good horfe, merely becaufe he 

 will not be wanted in the winter, fince that 

 breed is fo very fcarce, and fince the defalcation 

 in price is almoft always larger than the amount 

 of winter keep in the country, and concomitant 

 charges. On the fame fide of the queftion may 

 be added, that by allowing a valuable horfe fo 

 fair a chance as an annual winter's run, to cool 

 his limbs, and recruit his fi:rength, he might 

 be enabled to go througli his bufinefs in the 

 mofi; perfecl fi;yle, even to his twentieth year, 

 or upwards ; and at that late period, be frefiier 

 upon his legs, and more fafe to ride, than moft 

 of the vi61ims of our ufual and improvident 

 methods at feven or eight. As an infiance, 

 among many, of the longevity and lafl:ing na- 

 ture of horfes, there was living in the fervice of 

 a farmer, near Manchefter, in the year 1787, an 



old 



