78 PEECEPT AND PEACTICE. 



the kind of victim they get hold of. If he is seen to 

 be very young and very green, he will be doubly vic- 

 timised — that is, as regards price and horse. 



It is not at all unlikely that so very verdant a 

 young gentleman will boast " that he does not mind 

 price, provided he gets a nice horse." The owner, 

 like Othello, may say, " Upon this hint I spake," 

 and consequently names a price corresponding with, 

 or rather exceeding, the value of the horse, if he was 

 all his appearance would bespeak. If the young 

 gentleman does "not mind price," why should the 

 seller? 



But Mr. Verdant will find that the latter does 

 mind price very much, but in a different way to his 

 customer ; and the chances are they will both be in- 

 dulged in this particular. 



*' Why, Sir (says the seller), I sees you knows a 

 nice horse when you sees him, and will not let him 

 slip through your fingers for a few pounds. Why, 

 would you believe it, Lord saw this horse yester- 

 day, wanted him for a lady ; he rode him, could not 

 find a fault, and then offered me five and forty pounds 



