34 , 



What could I do next ? I employed a man to 

 buy one on commission : — he bought me three: the 

 first was broken-winded; the second reared, and 

 left me comfortably seated on the ground, provi- 

 dentially falling himself on the other side ; the 

 other died within a fortnight, of inflammation ; and 

 at length I began to discover that it was worth 

 the scoundrel's while to be paid a commission on 

 the sale of an unsound horse, as well as on the 

 purchase of a sound one. 



I next availed myself of a farrier's kind advice. 

 But how could he do otherwise than hand over his 

 incurable patients to my care ? A country farmer 

 tendered me his services ; he sent me two on trial ; 

 both kissed the cockney pavement in less than a 

 week ; and could I do less than make up their 

 depreciated value ? Two kind friends offered to 

 oblige me with cattle of their own. Luckily I had 

 the prudence to decline both offers. The glance of 

 an eye told me they were lame ; I civilly regretted 

 that they were not " the sort of horse I wanted;" 

 and both broke their knees within a month ! 



And now, gentle reader, for my inferences a la 

 Martineau. Whenever you see a horse advertised 

 for sale, avoid him as you would a pestilence. If 

 he is "a sweet goer," depend upon it you will be 

 gently dropped into the sweetest kennel in St. 





