6 



instead of his back, and had he advanced another 

 yard I should undoubtedly have found my own 

 back on the ground. I decided on my course at 

 once — I walked him to the Veterinary College; 

 ascertained that his wind was as thick as his car- 

 case, and sold him at Osborne's the next day to 

 " a timid old gentleman," for whom he was exactly 

 suited. 



My third attempt was somewhat more promising. 

 A very respectable stable-keeper, with whom I 

 had had former transactions, introduced me to 

 an old hunter of his acquaintance. I must own 

 that I entertain great distrust of your hunters 

 converted into hacks ! but the introduction was 

 good ; the horse was gay ; and the tout ensemble 

 favourable ; he had but one fault, so far as a day's 

 trial could discover. He would neither pass nor 

 be passed, either by stage, omnibus, or hackney- 

 coach ! a matter of not the slightest consequence 

 in Leicestershire ; but rather inconvenient in Ox- 

 ford Street. 



I was speedily remounted ; nothing is more easy 

 in London. " A charming goer ; so docile that a 

 lady might drive him with a pack-thread," found 

 me seated on his back within eight and forty hours. 

 His charms were thrown away upon me, and mine 

 were equally powerless with him ; his faults were 



