XV 



demerits of his team — discussed their diseases — 

 reckoned their cost, and pitied their fate. We 

 digressed into the price of hay and com, the roguery 

 of corn chandlers, horse dealers, and hay salesmen ; 

 and I verily believe we were both sorry to terminate 

 our gossip at the journey's end. 



" You loves bosses. Sir, and so do I : poor 

 creturs ! and them as doesn't desarves the halter." 



" It is such people," I replied, "that make them 

 vicious." 



" Sure enough. Sir ; if so be as a horse is 

 scientifically managed, he is the gentlest cretur on 

 earth." I was amused at the expression coming 

 from untaught lips. 



" Scientifically ! do you drive your horses by 

 science ?" 



" No, Sir, not exactly ; though there be more 

 science in it than yon jackanapes," pointing at 

 one of the gentry I have described, who was then 

 passing us on an Oxford coach with his horses 

 wide enough to admit a flock of sheep ; " seems 

 to have a notion of; but I mean the treatment of 

 'em, which you seem to have thought on yourself." 



" I have picked up a little by the way, in travel- 

 ling through life, but I don't pretend to any 

 scientific knowledge." 



