590 
THE STUD. 
the efficiency of the perfect ones, will the action turn out vicious 
or bad. The want of perception or consideration of these draw¬ 
backs it is which has led to the saying that “ horses go well 
in all shapes”—that “ cross-made or ugly shapes sometimes beat 
handsome or perfect ones in going”—that about “ shape and 
make” there is, as about most other things, “ a sort of fashion,” 
and that “ every eye has its beauty,” &c. 
“ But independently of the taste or judgment of particular per¬ 
sons about horses—be it mediocre or bad (for this book is not 
written for good judges)—we must consider the qualifications and 
disqualifications that would be respectively most desirable or ob¬ 
jectionable to the particular party for whom the animal is intended, 
and by whom it is to be used. This might not be attended with 
much difficulty, if advising a particular individual; but it must be 
apparent to every one, that to discuss or point out the advantage or 
disadvantage of certain perfections and imperfections as relative to 
particular purchasers would take a volume of no portable size and 
weight; and then we should not probably effect our object, as the 
faces of persons do not differ more than do their tastes, ideas, and 
predilections. All that can, therefore, be done, or, at least, all 
that I can do, or shall attempt, is to mention, in general terms, the 
usual consequences or effects of some of the different ailments, 
habits, action, shape, and qualities of the horse, so far as regards 
their probable and general influence, as to his utility at such work 
as he is fitted or intended for.”— Introduction. 
In thus modestly restricting his inquiry, it will be seen that 
Harry Hieover has had it in design to compose a work rather for 
the edification of the unlearned than the learned in horse-flesh; and 
yet, in the face of this frank and candid avowal on his part, we shall 
take it upon ourselves to affirm that “judges of horses” even may 
peruse his pages with advantage to their presumed or acquired 
equine knowledge; and we can with great justice to our author 
add, that, whatever fresh wrinkles they may pick up in the perusal 
of the work, they will be sure to feel pleased and gratified with 
the amusing anecdotical style in which Harry in this, as in his 
other works, so felicitously ever carries his reader from page to 
page along with him, without suffering him for a moment to nod or 
evince even a sign of ennui. 
