86 PEECEPT AI^TD PRACTICE. 



represented to be ; but Mr. Verdant shortly found it 

 was a strong price for a horse with a disease, or rather 

 failing, of which, after two or three days' rest, he 

 would show no symptoms, but a day's moderate work, 

 or rather exercise, would cause him to go as lame as 

 if his leg was broke. 



In transactions of this kind a man has no earthly 

 remedy. In the first place, if the seller gave a verbal 

 warranty, he would deny it; and in such cases the 

 seller always takes care that some one shall be pre- 

 sent who, if occasion calls for it, is ready to swear 

 none was given. This precaution the purchaser, in 

 nine cases out of ten, neglects to take — so he is beat. 

 But we will suppose he has even got a written war- 

 ranty, worded as strongly as document can be — it is 

 merely in effect a piece of waste paper. The man is 

 a man of straw ; you may find him — bring an action, 

 recover damages. What then ? Not a farthing of 

 your money can you ever expect or hope to see ; and 

 all you do see is a long attorney's bill of costs, or 

 rather an attorney's long bill. 



T knew an instance where a friend of mine came off 



