62 THE HORSE S FOOT, 



in a very extensive district, the reputation of being a particu- 

 larly good shoer. If gentlemen could only be persuaded to 

 inform themselves sufficiently to give their directions with 

 the confidence that a knowledge of the subject is sure to en- 

 gender, and to know, when the work is finished, whether those 

 directions have been complied with, ♦hey would drive such 

 men as these from their lamentable ignorance of the first 

 principles of their art into something like a rational view of 

 the subject : but where gentlemen are contented to remain 

 without knowledge, smiths may be excused for not informing 

 themselves. 



