RATHER TOO WARM. 255 



tion with the boy who fed her, made her mess so 

 hot as to be one of the most uncomfortable berths in 

 the world for a nose. Shutting up the misses and 

 masters piggies, we let the old gentlewoman out : at 

 it she came, and in went her nose to the very bottom ; 

 but out it came quick as a cork from a champagne 

 bottle, accompanied, in force, loudness, and harmony, 

 by a note equalled but not excelled by the pleasing 

 intimation we hear from the steam-pipe of the ap- 

 proach of a locomotive. Round and round the yard 

 she went (how I longed to be on her) till the air had 

 cooled her proboscis. Forgetful of former hurts, in 

 delight at the smoking savoury viands, in went the 

 snout again with the same results. A third time set- 

 tled the business : she wisely gave it up for a time, 

 but eventually got her supper with the loss of the 

 skin off her nose. This was coming off better than 

 some people, who lose the skin, and do not get what 

 they want at last. Let me then advise my friends 

 in search of horses never to poke their nose, whether 

 bottle, Grecian, snub, or Roman, into suspicious 

 places, or trust it with suspicious men ; and above 

 ah 1 , if they have got one scald, never to risk another 

 in the same quarter, notwithstanding Mr. Holloway's 

 assurance that one pot of his ointment effects a cer- 

 tain cure in all cases. 



By these very homely similes, anecdotes, and equally 

 homely advice, I have hinted, that, although I do not 

 condemn dealers in horses to lasting infamy as a body, 

 I do consider it just possible that a man may get into 

 bad hands ; and I intend further to show, that he may 

 get into the hands of as great a set of scoundrels, com- 

 posing a part (and a pretty considerable part) of that 



