XXI 



In my last edition I took an opportunity of 

 mentioning a little horse-dealing intercourse which 

 I had had with Mr. Osborne, Jun. I intended no 

 '^ personality" by my remarks, but thought it very 

 fair to show a dealer that the absolutism of his own 

 yard would not protect him against severe retort. 

 At the same time I did ample justice to the civility 

 and attention which I have there received. I have 

 expunged the whole of the passage in this edition, 

 not from any doubt of its justice, but simply for 

 the good humour with which young Osborne 

 laughed over my retaliation when I mentioned it 

 to him. I believe both his father and himself to 

 be infinitely beyond me in practical knowledge 

 of the horse, but I cannot, in honesty, carry the 

 compliment farther. On the contrary, I think that 

 they, in common with almost every other dealer 

 with whom I have conversed on the subject, would 

 not manage their business the worse for six months' 

 study in an attorney's office, and six years' dissec- 

 tion at the Veterinary College. Why men who 

 deal in cattle, whatever may be its description, 

 should depreciate the science of comparative ana- 

 tomy, or aifect to despise the practical knowledge 

 acquired by the study of it, is beyond my con- 

 ception. A man may be cradled in the cow-shed 

 or the stable ; but unless he makes them his study 



