TEMPEHATE HUNTERS. 189 



ing them, until either themselves or the dealer are out 

 of all patience, and the business is sometimes wound up 

 by a lawsuit. 



But it is not policy on the part of the dealers to have 

 lawsuits with gentlemen, for there is an unjust prejudice 

 against horse-dealers in general, although those who are 

 " licensed dealers" are as honest in their business trans* 

 actions as any other class of tradesmen, and I have 

 known many of them take back horses, and return the 

 money to purchasers, when the horse has been absolute- 

 ly spoiled in mouth, temper, and condition, sooner than 

 have a dispute or lawsuit. Eut there is about as much 

 honour on the part of gentlemen who do this as there 

 would be in their wives wearing a shawl for a month or 

 two, and then sending it back to the mercer, with a 

 threat that if he does not return tho money it will be 

 sold for whatever it will fetch, and he will be sued for 

 the difference. 



A friend of mine, who is a large breeder, sold a horse 

 as a clever fencer to a gentleman a short time ago. 

 He returned him in the course of a few days, stating 

 that he could not make him jump. I rode and sub- 

 jected him to a trial a few days after, and can conscien- 

 tiously affirm that a sweeter jumper never carried me 

 over a fence, and I have ridden as many horses as most 

 men. I know the gentleman who sent him back must 

 have had neither hands nor seat, for as I pulled him 

 gently together, and felt his beautiful mouth, with the 

 single snaffle bridle, he answered to the easy appeal of 



