52 



chargers with legs in the a la mode de Louis Quinze 

 style. The measure is deemed requisite in the interest 

 of the sellers, for as so many of our thorough-bred 

 sires are gradually relinquishing the old-fashioned 

 straight leg, and inclining to this new form, they 

 think "it can't be so very bad." As a seller, I am 

 sure I shall never attempt to throw any obstacle in 

 the way of so discerning a proceeding, but I would 

 respectfully suggest that the first batch of these 

 improved nags should be sent to the Koyal Horse 

 Marines, and that in passing through London, the 

 oriental custom of loose muslin bags tied above the 

 knee to hang over the hoof should be introduced. 

 This would be a double advantage in England, for 

 whereas in India it is resorted to to keep the flies off, 

 here it would be more profitably done to keep the eyes 

 off, and the vulgar horse -cry might be changed into a 

 horse-laugh. It would also serve to keep the 

 advocates of these odd-looking shapeless legs consistent, 

 and prevent them saying " they are of no con- 

 sequence ; " for when they happen to be purchasers 

 for themselves, not sellers, the bags should always be 

 on during the inspection, and kept on until the price 

 was concluded ; this would effectually serve to prevent 

 them blowing hot and cold at the same time. The 

 professional gentlemen attached to the above-men- 



