HORSES 159 



But this sort of business, though very much to my 

 taste among gentlemen, as well as to my own advantage, 

 was not free from those losses to which a want of 

 knowledge of the ingenuity of mankind will sometimes 

 subject the most experienced practitioner, as the following 

 anecdote will show : — 



One fine summer's morning a gentleman called at my 

 ofiice, and introduced himself to me as Colonel Verity. 

 He was a tall, military-looking man, genteelly attired in 

 plain clothes. He said he wanted a pair of light carriage- 

 horses to draw a phaeton, and had been recommended to 

 me as a person who was likely to supply him. 



I told him I had not a pair at present that would be 

 likely to suit. He professed to be in no immediate hurry ; 

 he was staying at Ryde with his lady, for the benefit of 

 her health, and a fortnight hence would do. 



After a little further conversation I walked with him 

 to my stables, and there pointed out to him a horse that 

 I thought was about the stamp he required. He liked 

 him very much ; and asked, provided I could match him 

 in size, figure, and colour, what the price would be. 



I told him I could not exactly say, but I thought it 

 would not be less than £l50, as it might be difficult to 

 find a match. This sum he consented to give, if he liked 

 the other horse as well as he did this ; and so we parted. 



It was not long before I accomplished this part of the 

 task — indeed, I had not to go out of the town to do so. 

 An officer on the staff wished to purchase the horse in 

 question, to match one he already had, but as we could 

 not agree about price, I bought his ; and then wrote to 

 the gentleman in the Isle of AVight, to acquaint him with 



