HORSE-DEALIXG 53 



Fellow of one of the colleges, wlio was well known for a 

 singular propensity he jDossessed to dive into the secrets 

 and intrio-ues of the coachino- communitv. This was a 

 sort of morbid curiosity, which he inherited, perhaps, 

 from his unfortunate ancestor, the Bishop of Rochester — 

 who exercised the same feeling in more important 

 concerns. He would almost daily come and chat with 

 me. At other times j^ei'^i^^^l^^i^g the streets, or 

 gossiping with the different tradesmen, or examining at 

 my leisure the colleges and halls, the celebrated library 

 and theatre, and other buildings ; so that I could but 

 contrast the place with the dull, low, uninviting spot in 

 which I was lately condemned to spend my vacant hours ; 

 and congratulate myself on the change. 



My employer, knowing that Oxford was a place where 

 harness-horses were sometimes to be picked up on more 

 reasonable terms than in London, had commissioned me 

 to look out and, as occasion might offer, purchase some 

 for him. This I had done, much to his satisfaction. One 

 afternoon a tout, or man who was a sort of horse-dealer's 

 cad, came and told me, as a great favour, of a horse that 

 was to be disposed of for a little money. I went with 

 him, and was shown a very useful coach horse. I asked 

 to see him out. This was complied with, and, running 

 my eye over him, and approving his action, I "said, 

 " Sound ? " 



" Perfectly ; but I don't warrant him ? " 



" Age ? " 



" Six years old." 



Looking in his mouth, I found this to be correct. 



" Price ? " I said. 



