122 Our Noblest Friend, The Horse 



memory, after culling them from the conversation of 

 " horsey " friends, nor make strange passes at the 

 animal produced for your inspection, as if about 

 to hypnotise him, but stand at a reasonable distance, 

 look the suspect over, and see if he impresses you 

 favourably — resembles the animal your fancy has, 

 all these years, painted as conveying you and Amelia 

 over the boulevards and through the parks when the 

 halcyon days arrived that should enable you to 

 " keep a carriage." 



Exact in the way of a trial anything you wish, 

 but have that matter distinctly understood with the 

 dealer before he goes to the trouble of harnessing 

 his offering for you. If he does not wish to submit 

 to your exactions go elsewhere. — there are plenty 

 of dealers. — but don't put a man whose time is 

 as valuable to him as yours to you to a lot of bother, 

 and then disgiist him by insisting upon some unrea- 

 sonable trial, for which he knows his animal will not 

 qualify. Don't let the " seller buy him for you." 

 but take him to all the objects you expect him to 

 face, nor be particular about going gently with him 



