SUIT THE ACTION TO THE MAN. 133 



mind iu purchasing hunters^ namely, tlie qualities 

 of tlie man who is to ride them. 



If we put a thoroughly well-made amenable 

 hunter, witli a fine temper and fine mouth, into 

 the possession of a mere dare-devil, unscientific 

 horseman, with bad hands and not the best of 

 tempers, we really do injustice to by far the most 

 to be admired beast. If we give a resolute de- 

 termined horse, though a good hunter, to a man 

 mild in manner and habits, we do a most unkind 

 act to probably a most kind man. Again, giving 

 a horse who does not perfectly know his business 

 to a man who cannot teach it him, risks the limbs, 

 or perhaps life, of a valuable member of society ; 

 and, on the other hand, giving a very large price 

 for a horse because he is easy to ride and is per- 

 fectly made, for the use of a man who has health, 

 strength, nerve, and knowledge to make a fine 

 horse into a hunter, is lavishing money for no 

 necessary purpose. If, however, a man with such 

 qualities has large means, but will take no trouble 

 on his hands, by all means indulge him in his 

 idleness or aftectation, or both ; give five hundred 

 for a made hunter for him, and somebody will 

 benefit by the transaction. 



There is, however, a description of rider that 

 the unthinking, uneducated, and illiberal wdll at 

 once ridicule, and indulge themselves in a coarse 

 laugh at his expense ; this is the timid or nervous 



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