HORSE DEALERS. 317 



not exposed to the common gaze. No Eastern slave merchant regards 

 with greater jealousy the flower of his female flock than does the London 

 dealer survey what he believes will, in his sphere, prove "the prize of 

 the season." The door of its stable is constantly locked. All its re^ 

 quirements are profusely supplied. It is never taken abroad, save when 

 fully clothed and closely hooded. Only before the earliest hour of busi- 

 ness or after the gates have been shut upon the bustle of the day does 

 the dealer feast his eyes upon the bare perfections of his treasured pos- 

 session. The ceremony of unveiling is then slowly performed, and every 

 particular is minutely examined, lest unforeseen accident should have 

 interfered with the realization of equine loveliness. 



The pursuits of the dealer, therefore, are not without excitement, are 

 not devoid of care, nor free from trouble. His stock-in-trade is very 

 perishable, and is peculiarly exposed to deterioration. But most of these 

 people seem to fatten on anxieties. They generally are a heavy, a happy- 

 looking, and a corpulent race ; but, like all people who engage in a busi- 

 ness which admits of no standard of excellence but success, the estab- 

 lished dealer in horses has an overwhelming notion of his own abilities. 

 This is the weak point in his general character. Science is ridiculed, 

 and the results of experience are despised, when either are opposed to 

 the personal opinion of the yard. Consequently, few of the calling con- 

 sult a veterinary surgeon. In the mysteries of disease and in the prop- 

 erties of medicine they acknowledge no superior ; for the owner, com- 

 monly, is the possessor of secret nostrums which he esteems to be of 

 marvelous efiScacy. 



After the gates have excluded the confusion of the street, the dealer 

 usually walks through his stables, attended by his head groom. Then 

 frequently such orders as the following are issued : " Jim ! Get a cor- 

 dial; this young thing is scouring!" "Jim! Let Hartley's bay have a 

 warm mash, and shake an alterative into it." "Jim! Mind me to- 

 morrow, that Clement's chestnut wants blooding — the legs are filling." 

 "A pinch of diuretic would do no harm here. Jim ! Break me half a 

 one from the locker 1" " Jim 1 Somehow, this brown youngster don't 

 mend kindly. It must be some flying humors ; — prepare him for physic." 

 "As for Blossom, I'm tired of seeing her. She has eaten her head twice 

 over! Well I well! Jim. Well, give her a condition ball; and perhaps 

 some greenhorn may fancy her to-morrow." 



To dabble with danger is the last madness of conceit. Persons thus 

 imprudent will not bear to be carelessly approached or slightingly ad- 

 dressed. Such an infirmity is soon provoked to impertinence. The 

 reader, therefore, will be only rendered more safe, who observes every 

 recognized form of courtesy when treating with the dealer. This is best 



