_How to make the most of a horse._
Arrived at the stables, it was not long before Doctor Gambado introduced
his brother and friend Doctor Bull to the noted personage of his day,
John Tattsall. Is the name of Tattsall, as it used to be called,
corrupted, from a hundred years ago, now to that of Tattersall? We do
not know the gentleman's dealer, auctioner, or horse agent of the latter
name; but if he be the descendant of the great John Tattsall, we only
hope he is as good a man as his ancestor. A better in his line could
never be. It requires a knowledge of a man's craft, to say whether he is
a good or bad workmen at it. We have very little knowledge of
horse-dealers' craft, but their profits must be very great,--when the
licence is set so high as five and twenty pounds, before they can
practise the economy of horse-dealing. A hundred years ago, and the tax
was not so high.
[Illustration]
"This, John, is my friend, Doctor Bull, whom I recommended to your
notice to find him a horse in every respect quiet, without vice, and
gentle,--one who would bear the whip and not kick."
"Can the gentleman say I have not suited him?"
"I do not say I am not suited, but I had almost as soon be nonsuited in
a case of law, as be suited with so inactive a beast to ride."
"Ah! sir, you speak like a tyro concerning the law. If you were once
_nonsuited_, and had all the costs to pay in an action-at-law, believe
me, sir, the being _non suited_ in a horse which had no action, would be
greatly preferable to all the success of a case-at-law, though you were
told at the time that you got off cheap, after paying L150. Look, sir,
at that cheque:
"Please to pay to Messrs. Runner and Co. the sum of three hundred
pounds, on account of transfer of property, to the account of
Yours, faithfully,
CURRY AND POWDER."
How would you like that?"
"I should not like it at all; but there are many things in law and
horse-dealing, which the least said about them the soonest ended."
"And also in other things as well. But bring out the gentleman's
chestnut horse, Sam."
This was spoken to the groom, who knew his master's voice, and presently
brought forth the very self-same horse, sent back to the stables one
hour previously, as inactive: now behold him as lively as a lark.
What had been done to him, those acquainted with the art of renovation
could alone tell; but here was a contrariety without going far to find
it. The legs had been trimmed, the tail set up; and when the said John
Tattsall mounted him, the man and horse seemed to become each other.
John was a true specimen of an upright horse-dealer, a hundred years
ago. Coat was buttoned up, hat almost as conspicuous as the Field
Marshal's on the day of a grand review. Stick under his arm, easy seat
in his saddle, long spurs, short breeches, brown periwig, and such a
contour of character, that when he touched him with the spur, the
fiery-eyed charger set off at a Hyde Park canter, to the delight of his
learned spectators.
No one could be more pleased than Doctor Bull. "Aye! that is the way to
make the most of a horse. Could I but make as much of him as that, he
would be, of all creatures, the very one to set me up again? That will
do, Mr. Tattsall, that will do. You have given me a good lesson how to
make the most of a horse."
"Then, sir, you must let me make the most of him alone. One hundred
guineas, is his price; and this is my advice to you, never take this
horse out of his stable without giving him a good brush-up first. And
never get on to his back, without a pair of spurs on your feet; and you
will find him as pleasant a little park horse as any gentleman could
ever wish to ride."
The money was paid, and _John Tattsall made the most of him_. But Doctor
Bull made all that he expected out of him; namely, a restoration from a
fit of Hypochondriacism into which he never after relapsed; but owed his
cure to the honest advice of Geoffery Gambado, Esq. M.D. F.R.S.
"The simplest remedy, is mostly sure;
'Twill never kill; but almost always cure."