VARIETIES OF THE HORSE. 55 



in offering him for sale, fear not to ' ' open his mouth " 

 boldly, and demand for him a price which shall make a 

 difference in his (the owner's) year's income ; for people 

 must, and usually are ready to, pay for their fancies, and 

 a good cob, as already remarked, is, of all the equine 

 race, essentially a fancy article, and one too for which the 

 demand is always brisk. 



THE CHARGER. 



THERE are few things more difficult to procure than a 

 perfect charger that is to say, a cavalry charger. Any 

 neat-looking quiet hack will make a charger for mounted 

 officers of infantry; but the dragoon's horse is another 

 affair. He must please a good many people the com- 

 manding officer as regards his appearance and action, 

 and the regimental vet. in the matter of soundness. The 

 groom of the intended purchaser will doubtless have some 

 opinion to express on the animal's probable consti- 

 tution, &c. ; and as to the officers of the regiment gene- 

 rally, the buying of a charger by one of their number 

 usually affords a fine example of the truth of the proverb, 

 Quot homines, tot sentential. The buyer's opinion may 

 be kept to himself no one will listen to it. He has had 

 time to make up his mind before he introduces his choice 

 to the notice of his corps, it is to be hoped, or some 

 confusion may arise in his mind from the quantity of good 

 advice he is likely to receive. 



A great many qualities are indispensable in a charger. 

 Appearance, to begin with, is of the first importance. A 

 pretty head and neck, and showy action, and a well set- 



