REVIEW — THE POCKET AND THE STUD. 
645 
should the horse or article purchased turn out ever so well, he will 
barely get thanks for what he did ; but should he or it not realise 
every expectation formed, he will not only get constant and sundry 
direct and indirect hints on the subject, but, worse than all, will 
probably find that he will be expected to turn salesman. Should 
he get the purchase off without loss, all that will be thought is, 
that it was no more than his absolute duty to do so. If any loss 
accrues, it will probably be delicately insinuated, that, had the 
friend purchased for himself, this would not have happened ; though 
it may be perfectly well known that he never made a purchase in 
his life by which he did not lose. But then, of course, that all 
arose from ill-luck , not from want of judgment — for this is a want 
to which very few are subject, when judging themselves; though 
their thinking so is the best possible proof that they do labour under 
such deficiepcy. 
“ Notwithstanding these stumbling-blocks in the way of obliging 
another, no man of good feeling or good-nature would, where his 
judgment was properly appreciated, refuse to purchase for a friend, 
if, from any circumstance, his doing so would render a service ; 
but, then, purchasing for a friend is quite a different thing to play- 
ing jackal! and starting the game for Mr. Lion to select from, or 
forking out the chestnuts to save Mr. Pug the risk or trouble of 
doing it himself. To be requested by a friend to look at a horse 
he has found, is a compliment ; to be sent to find one for the friend 
to look at, is diametrically the reverse.” 
“Never buy for yourself.” Two heads in most matters — in 
horse matters especially — are better than one, even though that one 
be on a “good judge’s” shoulders. 
“ I am quite satisfied that most men who are good judges w T ould, 
if they studied their pecuniary interest only, very often do much 
better by letting an equally good judge buy for them, than by pur- 
chasing for themselves.” 
But the person who is not a horse-man stands in a very different 
situation, and particularly if he should happen to stumble upon a 
purchase that does not suit him, which it is about ten to one that 
he will do. A man, himself a good judge, may indeed happen to 
“catch a Tartar,” or “get hold of a screw;” but then, he knows 
and can put in practice ways of taming the one and of remedying 
the other, probably. Whereas, 
“ The man who is not a horseman can do neither. Whatever 
the faults in a horse that he may purchase, they will be shewn in 
all their deformity ; very probably be made worse. Tattersall’s, 
* to be sold for what he will fetch,’ is the only remedy. There, 
VOL. xxi. 4 s 
