14 PKECEPT AND PEACTICE. 



eschews. In fact, be may as well do so as not ; for 

 lie may rest assured he will not get the chance of 

 doing it. We will, however equally presume that 

 he does not wish to lose heavily by each horse he 

 buys ; a result, however, that will be the certain 

 consequence of his purchasing on his own judgment 

 — I should rather say with his want of it — and 

 without advice. Fortunate will it be for him if he 

 possesses a friend qualified for, and willing to under- 

 take, so probably thankless an office as purchasing 

 for him, or, at all events, aiding him by his advice 

 in the selection of his horses. In the first place, in 

 nine cases in ten, the friend, supposing him to be a 

 good judge, will diff'er materially, if not entirely, in 

 opinion with him as regards the sort of horse fit for 

 the purpose, be it what it may, that the other intends 

 him for. The two will diff'er, in all probabilitj'^, as 

 to the looks, action, and even size of the animal to 

 be purchased. The judge will never contemplate the 

 buying anything but a good sort. Here is the 

 first stumbling-block ; for we may fairly, and without 

 prejudice, infer that the other does not know what 



