freedom. I never had a fall, and yet I rode my horse as freely down the hill, as up it. I attribute my good fortune to my observation of others. I noticed, that every rider was accustomed to jog gently down the hill, with a tight rein, and forward inclination of the body; as if he was counting the stones before him, and speculating which was to throw him down. Nothing is better calculated to insure a fall; if a horse's legs are so groggy as to make a tight rein necessary, he should not be ridden at all; he is not safe on the most level ground: but if his legs and feet are sound, he should be allowed his head, and left to his natural pace; the bridle should be firmly in hand, but the mouth need not be worried by constant bearing on the bit. So long as the horse goes freely, he will go safely; he will of his own accord check his speed if he finds it dangerous, unless urged by unusual stimulus of punishment or competition. I have invariably acted on this principle, and found it safe: I think, if some of my Hampstead friends were to adopt it too, they would not be obliged to purchase "the freedom of the road" at such a costly price. It is a principle, almost amounting to an axiom, in horsemanship, that the most fearless rider is the safest. I know of no instance in which it so truly applies, as in leaping, or riding

down hill. I have witnessed more falls in hunting from checking a horse at his leaps, than from any other cause; and I believe for the same reason that he stumbles in descending a hill, when the bridle is tight in hand.

BEFORE I advert to the very difficult subject of warranty, I think a word or two upon horse auctions would not be out of place. There is something particularly attractive in an auction; though the most deceitful of all markets, the purchaser takes a pleasure in being deceived. It partakes of the excitement of the gaming-house; yet the most sober people speculate in the sale-room without compunction; the possibility that the auctioneer may speak the truth, (a bare possibility, it must be owned,) the certainty that if he does, the purchase is cheaply made, the accidental bargains occasionally realized, though not more than twice in a thousand sales, and above all, the self-increasing stimulus of competition, the jealous fear, lest the half-crown more of some less parsimonious bidder should make him the happy man, combine

to induce a semi-intoxication of cupidity, that leaves a novice no chance of escape without remorse. Auctions ought to have been put down at the same time with lotteries; at all events, three purchases should qualify a man for Bedlam, without the aid of a commission of lunacy. I never but once

bought at an auction without being cheated, and that only happened because the interest sold was of a nature so complicated and unusual, that not a man in the room comprehended its real value.

There is however an essential difference between horse-auctions and all others; it is not only the case, as I have elsewhere observed, that no animals are sent to them but such as it is morally impossible to sell elsewhere, but nineteen out of twenty of the buyers are biographically acquainted with the quadrupeds. Though horses of all descriptions are at times sold at every horse-auction in the metropolis, each yard has its peculiar trade. Sporting horses, whether for the field or turf, are the staple commodity at Tattershall's. Machiners, as they are called, that is, post-horses, or stage horses, are generally found at Dixon's or Robinson's. Morris's, better known as Aldridge's, is well supplied with tradesmen's hacks; and the Bazaar is usually full of the most miscellaneous collection of gentlemen's chargers, equally fit for the saddle or the stanhope,

the park or the road! The motley crew who frequent these places are the same at every sale: and the bill of fare varies as little as the guests. "Very superior, well-bred, short-legged, up-standing, fast, young, seasoned horses, the genuine property of a coach-proprietor reducing his stock," or of "a gentleman compelled by ill-health to give up hunting," among which will "assuredly" be found "some excellent buggy-horses, and a few with grand action for a cabriolet," and not a few “equal to sixteen stone, up to any hounds." Such are the prizes; and all are warranted sound, quiet in harness, and free from vice! It is a pity that such valuable animals should be so little appreciated; but it is by no means for want of competent judges.

The first spectacle that meets the eye of a novice is a collection of lumbering, antiquated, broken-springed, one-horse carts, congregated round the gateway of the yard, guarded by ragged boys, old-harness dealers, saddle-cobblers, and stick-merchants. Groups of this description extend from the gateway to the next gin-shop; and are a sure indication that a horse-sale is going on in the neighbourhood. You may safely elbow your way through them: the frequenters of the place rarely have enough in their pockets, to make it a