338 
MISCELLANEA. 
kept on Swede turnips, and on being removed was driven for a 
few miles and placed on a piece of meadow-land. Next morning 
many of the sheep were afflicted with symptoms of lethargy, and 
appeared otherwise quite out of condition ; and within forty-eight 
hours of their being placed on the meadow-land it was found neces- 
sary to slaughter from fifteen to twenty. Since then they have con- 
tinued dying, and two days afterwards the number lost amounted 
to forty-nine. The animals, it seems, were afflicted with inflam- 
mation of the kidneys, supposed to have been produced by the 
distance they were driven and the sudden change of keep. The 
greater part of the carcasses were sent to the London epicures, and 
others to a butcher, but none were purchased by any butcher of the 
town . — Boston Herald. 
Important to Farmers and Dealers in Horses. 
Mr. John MacNie, farmer, Woody ett, lately purchased a young 
horse from Mr. Charles Grindlay, farmer, Seabeg’s-place, near 
Denny loanhead. A full and fair price was paid. The horse 
proved to be vicious, and was in consequence offered back, and 
a return of the money demanded. This was refused. Instead of 
following the usual course of sending the horse to “ livery,” and 
having him sold under the order of the sheriff, and prosecuting the 
seller for the difference of price, which often leads to protracted 
and expensive proceedings, Mr. MacNie was advised to bring an 
action in the small debt court for £8..6s..8d., as the difference of 
value between a quiet steady horse and the animal in question. 
The case was heard before James Wardrobe Dixon, Esq., sheriff 
substitute at Falkirk, who held that the pursuer, having offered to 
return the horse on return of the price, and the same being 
refused, was entitled to proceed in the way proposed without any 
sale of the horse ; and a proof was allowed him of the habits of the 
horse, the seller’s knowledge thereof, which he had failed to dis- 
close at the time of sale, and the difference of value. The case 
was heard on three successive court days, and the sheriff decreed 
for the full sum sued for, with expenses. Very considerable inte- 
rest was taken in the case by the farmers and dealers in the neigh- 
bourhood, and the decision has given much satisfaction. We think 
it cannot be too generally known and appreciated, because it points 
out a speedy and cheap mode of obtaining redress in cases which 
were formerly looked upon as interminable and exceedingly expen- 
sive. 
