XIX 



On some of these learned criticisms I shall com- 

 ment in their proper place, only remarking here 

 that the very object and avowed purpose of my 

 book appear to have been overlooked by the 

 reviewer. I have in no part of it set myself up as 

 a teacher to the initiated, or as a guide to the 

 sportsman or the jockey. On the contrary, I 

 disclaimed all pretensions of the kind, only offer- 

 ing the benefit of a little personal experience to 

 men, who being circumstanced like myself, and 

 deeply engaged in more important pursuits, might 

 be glad to receive it, without the cost and trouble 

 of acquiring it by similar means. It is in this 

 spirit that I have not even adverted, except acci- 

 dentally, to that high-priced class of horses which 

 are usually found in such stables as Anderson's or 

 Sheward's. Horses of this description are no 

 usually sought out, except by the professed sports- 

 man, and the points that recommend them to his 

 notice are very rarely of consequence, or even of 

 value, to the every day purchaser.* 



* I have seen a lot of splendid horses at Sheward's stables, 

 within these three weeks ; hut all of them are far beyond the 

 loftiest ambition of nineteen out of twenty of my friends, for whom 

 I have already purchased horses for the season. — Note to the Second 

 Edition. 



52 



