16 PEECEPT AND PRACTICE. 



that I should be inclined to use Brummel's exclama- 

 tion, on seeing his friend in an ill-made coat, ** My 

 dear fellow, do you call this thing" a horse? In 

 such a dilemma what is a man to do who wishes con- 

 scientiously to discharge his duty to his friend ? To 

 sanction in any way his purchasing so useless an in- 

 habitant of a stable is quite out of the question ; to 

 declare his abhorrence of the brute, offends. The 

 finale most to be desired would be that it should im- 

 press our tyro with so bad an opinion of his friend's 

 taste and judgment, that he declines his interference 

 for the future. 



So much for looks ; we now come to a more ma- 

 terial point — this is action. No horse is worth 

 buying, and still less keeping, who does not possess 

 good action ; he will never go comfortably to himself 

 or his master (for he may be to ride or drive), unless 

 he possesses good action ; nor will he, in fact, keep 

 in good condition where this is wanting, that is, if 

 used for any purpose for which a fast pace is 

 requisite. Every person must be aware that anything 

 bordering on distress, if constantly repeated, must 



