Old Habits

An eminent Scotch lawyer, having cause to visit London, decided to perform

the journey on horseback in preference to posting, for this was before the

days of railways. He therefore purchased a horse before starting, and on

his arrival at the metropolis, following the usual custom, disposed of his

nag, deciding to purchase another for the return journey. When he had

completed his business, and had decided to set out for home, he wen to

Smithfield to purchase a horse. About dusk, a handsome horse was offered

to him at so cheap a rate, that he was led to suspect the animal to be

unsound; but as he could discover no blemish he became the purchaser. Next

morning he set out on his journey; his horse had excellent paces, and the

first few miles, while the road was well frequented, our traveller spent

in congratulating himself on his good fortune. On Finchley Common the

traveller met a clergyman driving a one-horse chaise. There was nobody

within sight, and the horse by his manoeuvre plainly intimated what had

been the profession of his former master. Instead of passing the chaise,

he laid his counter close up to it, and stopped it, having no doubt that

his rider would embrace so fair an opportunity of exercising his vocation.

The clergyman, under the same mistake, produced his purse unasked, and

assured the inoffensive and surprised horseman that it was unnecessary to

draw his pistol. The traveller rallied his horse, with apologies to the

gentleman, whom he had unwillingly affrighted, and pursued his journey.

The horse next made the same suspicious approach to a coach, from the

windows of which a blunderbuss was levelled, with denunciations of death

and destruction to the rider, who was innocent of all offence in deed or

word. In short, after his life had been once or twice endangered by the

suspicions to which his horse's conduct gave rise, and his liberty as

often threatened by peace officers, who were disposed to apprehend him as

a notorious highwayman, he found himself obliged to part with the animal

for a mere trifle, and to purchase at a dearer rate a horse of less

external figure and action, but of better moral habits.