218 THE LONG ODDS. 



pened to possess these particular qualifications; he 

 would be allowed a fair and reasonable trial, and 

 would no doubt get what he wanted. This will 

 show that the dealer knew there were but two or 

 three out of the ten that were likely to meet his par- 

 ticular wishes ; and also shows that among ten horses, 

 all looking like what he wants, it is just seven to 

 three against his getting one that is even likely to suit 

 him. He rides the three, and finds one, and one only, 

 of the three that he approves. As it therefore ap- 

 pears that out of ten horses, each of which looked 

 like what he wanted, he finds but one that is so, it 

 must be as clear as any demonstration Euclid could 

 make, that had he seen these ten horses in a fair, it is 

 just nine to one against his having fixed on the one 

 for his purpose. Now, when I speak of this horse 

 being fit for his purpose, I beg it may be understood 

 that I only mean that he finds him so as far as re- 

 gards pleasantness to ride or drive. As to his turning 

 out good, or good for nothing, when put to work, that 

 is quite another affair: he must take his chance for 

 that, as every man must who buys a young sound 

 untried horse. In exemplification of this I recall to 

 mind an anecdote of Wimbush. I took a friend to 

 him to buy a pair of carriage-horses : he fixed on a 

 pair, saw them driven, and quite approved of them ; 

 so did I. He then said, " Now, Mr. Wimbush, I buy 

 these horses from the recommendation of my friend, 

 and I rely on you that they are a pair of good horses." 

 " Pray don't, Sir," says Wimbush ; " I know no- 

 thing about that. If you want a pair that I can 

 answer for as good ones, I will take a pair off a job 

 that I can answer for ; but these young devils I have 

 only bought in a fair. I have warranted them quiet 



