92 



THE HUNTING-FIELD. 



Quorn liounds : lie was kind enough to look at 

 the stud on sale for me, and I bought this horse 

 on his selection." 



"Then," said I, "you bought him on the 

 judgment of one who knows a nice horse as a 

 hunter as Avell as any man living, and, what is 

 more, can ride him as well. 



" I am sorry that in going through your horses, 

 I must alter my tone a good deal, if I give 

 you a candid opinion. Now for the grey, that 

 comes next. This horse, I should say, might be 

 own brother to the one that I saw you on in the 

 summer; he has, however, better legs; but there is 

 more glare and gaudiness about him than bespeaks 

 a hunter ; he looks unfurnished vvithout a shell 

 bridle and holsters on him." 



" I did buy him of an officer," said my friend. 



" Well," said I, " under certain circumstances, 

 this is all very well. If, for instance, you bought 

 him of a young cornet, want of money for some 

 proposed spree, want of judgment, or having too 

 many, might occasion the horse being sold ; so 

 here you might be safe enough : but if you bought 

 him of a man who has been twenty years in the 

 army, and is a hunting man, the horse being now 

 six years old, depend on it, has seen hounds ; and 

 I should have some little misgivings as regards 

 the quarters you got him from. However, the 

 horse is voung, is in fair condition, and there is a 



