370 HORSE POETRAITURE. 



you would require the stamina and vigor of youth to 

 undergo the round of pleasure-seeking he would insist 

 upon. 



PRECEPTOR. Truly, I must commend his taste and know- 

 ledge of wine. I never drank better than this, and the 

 aroma and peach flavor combined is above praise. This 

 will completely spoil me from enjoying what we ordinarily 

 get, and 1 am inclined to think you have happened on the 

 very best bottle there is. From finding my taste similar 

 to the bon vivants of my acquaintance, my award can be 

 accepted, as in all probability, just ; and while I do not 

 want you to neglect the donor's advice in keeping the 

 bottles always in sight, never set this before any one unless 

 you are sure he will appreciate it. It would be a great 

 pity that a drop should be wasted by going down the 

 throats of those who cannot tell New Jersey cider from 

 Johamiesberger, or who fancy the odor of "Night Blooming 

 Cereus" is equal to the perfume of the violet. I anticipate 

 great pleasure in meeting those of your "Western friends, 

 who prove the falsity of the idea of "out of sight, out of 

 mind," and whose care of your comfort when away will 

 be sure warrant of a warm welcome when we get on your 

 old stamping ground. 



PUPIL. I will say nothing more of Western character 

 and habits, for fear I may over-estimate them, and do 

 injury by causing you to look for perfections, that their 

 universal kindness to me may be the means of my over- 

 coloring. Still, I will wager everything I own against a 

 boy's top, that, for genuine hospitality, warm friendships, 

 and a desire to make every one who comes in their sphere 

 happy, Western people cannot be excelled, and those who 

 have a fondness for the horse, racers and trotters, are the 

 very perfection of even Western manhood. 



PRECEPTOR. We ended the conversation, when I was 

 here before, by a few remarks on watering horses in train- 



