355 



was aware of this vice, it was unpardonable to 

 conceal it ; had fatal consequences followed to my 

 friend, Mrs. Goddard's feelings would, if possible, 

 have been yet more painful than my own. Mr. 

 Osborne was wholly free from blame, for he 

 honestly told me that he knew nothing of the horse, 

 and before I bought him, he drove him in my 

 company, when he went very quietly. 



It is customary to feed a horse for sale ; this is 

 of itself a species of fraud, and one scarcely worth 

 the trouble and expense it involves. A horse is 

 rarely brought into good condition in less than 

 three weeks, during which he must enjoy absolute, 

 and therefore unprofitable rest. That sleek and 

 fat condition which recommends a horse to an 

 inexperienced buyer, does not qualify the animal for 

 work, and is at once detected by a dealer. It may 

 obtain a guinea or two more, because the dealer 

 finds the horse more marketable, but it will 

 scarcely obtain such an addition to the price as 

 will countervail the previous expense : a knowing 

 hand prefers buying a horse in his rough state, or 

 in daily work. 



If the seller sends his horse to Tattersall's, it 



is desirable to bespeak a separate box for him 



(assuming him to be of value), or to send him so 



early as to insure his being placed in the eight- 



2 A 2 



