FINE FEAT11EKS MAKE FINE BIKDS. 215 



as not likely to suit ? I merely consider it probable, 

 from the purchaser not having had the opportunity 

 of getting sufficient trial to ascertain whether or not 

 he was likely to do so ; for it is not to be supposed 

 that with a horse made up for sale, and brought to a 

 fair, a buyer will be allowed to ride or drive five 

 or six miles on trial, which he would be if he went 

 to any respectable dealer to whom he was known ; 

 and, without something like this trial, few men could 

 judge how far a horse would be likely to suit them. 

 Horses are to a very great degree objects of taste and 

 caprice : people have their own peculiar predilections 

 and fancies respecting them, which they have a right 

 to enjoy, and if possible gratify. If a man wants a 

 set of dining-tables, he has only to fix on a set whose 

 dimensions are suited to his purpose, and whose 

 fashion pleases his eye : they cannot well disappoint 

 him when he uses them. A horse may also be the 

 size he wants, appear to go as he wishes, and quite 

 please him as to appearance ; but though the dinner- 

 table is the same thing in the upholsterer's shop or 

 out of it, many have found to their cost the horse in 

 the fair and out of it is often quite a different one. 

 He may go very handsomely when properly shown, 

 and elated in the noise and bustle of a fair; he 

 may also ride very pleasantly under such circum- 

 stances, but will probably be found a very different 

 animal when either shown or ridden without such 

 excitement. The dealer is quite aware of this, and 

 he can have no further trial than the gentleman ; but 

 his object is quite different : the dealer buys to sell, the 

 gentleman to use. The horse is shown to both under 

 similar circumstances : the dealer sees that with proper 

 means used he is to be made to look well, show well, 



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