90 



when brought into regular training, the habit is 

 cured, and perhaps never recurs ; but though this 

 explanation is always at hand with the dealer, it is 

 never to be received for gospel, especially where 

 the cicatrix appears of long standing. I was 

 mounted about a year ago on the handsomest cob 

 in London ; I think I never saw a horse of finer 

 frame, and very few of better action. I bought 

 him of Mr. Osborne, and of course, for a price pro- 

 portioned to his apparent merits. I rode him for 

 a week with perfect satisfaction : indeed such was 

 the admiration that he excited, that I was re- 

 peatedly asked by strangers about his pedigree 

 and character. After the lapse of six days, my 

 groom informed me that he had cut himself. I 

 was incredulous : it proved to be a mere scratch, 

 and I attributed it to accident ; the following day 

 the blemish became more visible, and I rode him 

 back to Osborne's, to inquire whether it had been 

 habitual. Banks (the head groom) assured me 

 that it never had occurred before, and could only 

 be ascribed to the sudden change in the horse's 

 habits, from idleness to regular work. Being an 

 old customer at the stables, I had not the least 

 distrust of these assurances, and continued riding 

 him : for two days he never touched himself, but 

 after that time the injury was becoming serious, 



