THE CARRIAGE-HORSE. 57 



they would, in the first instance, be offered in pairs, and if not 

 so sold be subsequently offered separately. 



About eighty per cent, of those used at drawing-rooms, state 

 balls, &c., are jobbed from the leading jobmasters in London, 

 who buy them at different fairs when two or three years old, 

 and after having kept and broken them in at their country 

 farms, let them out on job at from 90 to 130 guineas per 

 pair per annum. The ordinary terms for jobbing horses may 

 be taken to be 100 guineas per annum, the horses being kept 

 and shod at the hirer's stables. If less than a year, during the 

 months of April, May, June, and July, 24 guineas for four 

 weeks; during the rest of the year 16 guineas for four weeks. 

 If kept and shod at the expense of the jobmaster an increase 

 of 80 guineas per annum ; of 8 guineas per month during the 

 season, and of 6 guineas per month out of the season would 

 be the usual charge. 



The practice of jobbing hordes is a very old one, but in 

 order to show the difference between prices at the commence- 

 ment of last century and now, it may be interesting to quote 

 an agreement between a jobmaster m St. Martin's-in-the- 

 Fields and a gentleman in 1718.' 



The jobmaster, Charles Hodges, agrees to keep his coach and 

 charriot and harness neat and clean, and in all manner of repair, 

 at his own charge, and including wheels ; and in case the coach- 

 man shall break the glasses of either, the said Charles Hodges 

 shall be answerable for, and make good the same ; To serve 

 him with a pair of good, strong, handsome, well-matched horses, 

 to be valued between fifty and sixty pounds to his good liking 

 and approbation, and also a good, honest, sober, creditable coach- 

 man, who with the horses shall attend as often as he or his 

 lady shall think fit, either into the city of London, the liberties of 



Westminster, or places adjacent. And if the said John B , or 



his family, shall have occasion to go into the countrey, the same 

 Charles Hodges obliges himself by these presents to find him or 

 them one or more pair of horses after the same rate per diem with 

 the others, the said J. B allowing the said Charles Hodges 



1 Notes and Queries, 1869, ii. 558. 



