Avery's own farrier. 41 



Sir John Malcom, in his Sketches on Persia, gives 

 several anecdotes, but of a more amusing character, one 

 of which we will notice here. " When the envoy, return- 

 ing from his former mission, was encamped near Bagdad, 

 an old Arab rode a bright bay mare, of extraordinary 

 shape and beauty, before his tent, until he attracted his 

 attention. On being asked if he would sell her, ' What 

 will you give me V was the reply; * That depends upon 

 her age; I suppose she is past five?' ' Guess again,' said 

 he; 'Four?' ' Look at her mouth,' said* the Arab with 

 a smile. On examination she was found to be rising 

 three. This, from her size and symmetry, greatly en- 

 hanced her value. The envoy said, ' I will give you 

 fifty tomans (a coin nearly equal in value to a pound 

 sterling);' * A little more if you please,' said the fel- 

 low, apparently entertained; 'eighty, a hundred;' he 

 shook his head and smiled. The offer at last came to 

 two hundred tomans. ' Well,' said the Arab, ' you 

 need not tempt me further; it is of no use. You are a 

 rich elchee; you have fine horses, camels and mules, and 

 I am toljd you have loads of silver and gold. Now,' 

 added he, ' you want my mare, but you shall not have 

 her for all you have got.' " 



