212 THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO THE BOOK. 



be matched, and driven till they are steady arid 

 handy : and the single horses to be driven till they 

 are also steady, and drive pleasantly and light in 

 hand. All this takes time and expense, which must 

 of course be added to the cost price, travelling 

 expenses, accidents, &c. How then, in the name of 

 common sense, can one of these horses be sold under 

 a very high price ? 



There is, besides the expenditure and casualties I 

 have mentioned, another very important item to be 

 added to the dealer's expenses, and that is, bad debts. 

 It may be said, that, aware of his being subject to 

 this, he takes it into consideration in the price he 

 puts on his horses. Doubtless he does so ; nor do I 

 consider him or any other tradesman an object of com- 

 miseration when this occurs, provided he only comes in 

 for his proportionate share : but it must be remem- 

 bered, that when the horse-dealer meets with customers 

 who do not pay him, it is generally for rather heavy 

 sums. Added to this is the very long credit he is 

 obliged often to give. And so far as regards credit, 

 the horse-dealer loses an advantage other trades- 

 men enjoy. I believe, in the usual way, the gene- 

 rality of tradesmen in buying their stock get three 

 months' credit, and then give their acceptance at two 

 months : not so with the horse-dealer. If he goes to 

 a fair and purchases, he must pay ready money, 

 and always does so. He is of course quite aware 

 of all these expenses, and the disadvantages that 

 he labours under, but his customers are not; and 

 from this difference arises the general, but really 

 erroneous, supposition as to the enormous profits 

 of his trade. Profit of course he makes ; no one 



