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sticks, whips, and voices, warned him of the rapid 

 approach of the next lot. The learned counsel 

 awoke from his reverie — rubbed his eyes — adjusted 

 his glasses — gaped, and stared, and gaped again 

 at the new comer with petrifying suspicion. He 

 turned with fumbling agitation to his pocket-book, 

 and found that, mistaking the lot, he had puffed 

 and purchased his neighbour's horse ! ! ! Having 

 two worthless animals thus unexpectedly thrown 

 upon his hands, he ventured on no more puffing, 

 but allowed his own to go at its just value, which 

 proved exactly enough to buy him a new wig for 

 the circuit. 



I have been let into the secret by one of the 

 frequenters of these places. I have no reason what- 

 ever to distrust his information. As in commission 

 stables, it is rarely the case that a horse enters the 

 yard unknown to the jobbers about it ; and should 

 it so happen, a friendly glass with the under ostler, 

 or helper, will secure them full information ; of 

 course its value is at once known to a shilling. 

 Should it suit any of the fraternity, he will be 

 allowed to buy it somewhat under the mark — but 

 a stranger must smart for his intrusion; unless 

 known to be connected with the trade, the price is 

 run up, without much hazard of loss to the jobbers. 

 They buy, perhaps, a score of horses at the sale^ 



