HINTS TO TOTJXG SPORTSMEN AND OTHEES. 9 



sonally. If I point out to those totally unitiated in 

 horse matters the safest line of conduct to pursue, if 

 one so situated fancies he knows a good deal, by all 

 means let him go to work his own way, he will never 

 suppose I allude to him ; and if he does know a good 

 deal, of course I do not ; though I may, in general 

 terms, allude to many who fancy themselves enjoying 

 such advantage ; whereas, in my mind's eye, I bring 

 them into the category of those who know nothing at 

 all, or, at least nothing that can be of the slightest 

 use to them. In speaking slightingly of persons' 

 qualifications or pretensions as regards sporting know- 

 ledge, the knowledge of horses or their management, 

 they haveno more cause tobe offended, or consider that 

 I overstep the bounds of courtesy, than I should have 

 if a man was to tell me I knew nothing of watch- 

 making. Now, to carry on the metaphor, we will 

 suppose that en amateur^ I had amused myself by 

 studying a little of watch-making. I might not be 

 offended at being told I had better not meddle with a 

 repeater or duplex, or a chronometer movement ; 

 but if, after talking of ruby palettes, going fusees, 



