Eglan. If I do, I am a _black horse_. She's no paces, nothing
_but a shuffle_, not a _leg to stand on_.

Livery M. Every one as good as the principal of All-Souls. Not a better
bred thing in Oxford, and all horses here gallop by instinct, as every
body knows, but they can't go for ever, and when gentlemen ride steeple
chases of sixty miles or more right a-head, they ought to find their own
horse-flesh.

Eglan. What coming _crabb_ over us, old fellow, hey 1 Very well, I shall
bolt and try Randall, and that's all about it. Come along, Blackmantle.

My friend's threat of withdrawing his patronage had immediately the
desired effect. Horace's judgment in horse-flesh was universally
admitted, and the knowing dealer, although he had suffered in one
instance by hard riding, yet deeply calculated on retrieving his loss by
some unsuspecting Freshman, or other university Nimrod in the circle
of Eglantine's acquaintance. By this time Echo had arrived, and we were
soon mounted on the two fresh purchases which the honest Yorkshireman
had so disinterestedly pointed out; and which, to do him justice,
deserved the eulogium he had given us on their merits. One circumstance
must not however be forgotten, which was the following notice posted
at the end of the yard. "To prevent accidents, gentlemen pay _before
mounting_." "How the deuce can this practice of paying beforehand
prevent accidents?" said I. "You're fresh, old fellow," said Echo, "or
you'd understand after a man breaks his neck he fears no duns. Now you
know by accident what old Humanity there means."

Bagley is about two miles and a half from Oxford on the Abingdon road,
an exceedingly pleasant ride, leaving the sacred city and passing over
the old bridge where formerly was situated the study or observatory of
the celebrated Friar Bacon. Not an object in the shape of a petticoat
escaped some raillery, and scarcely 160~~ a town _raff_ but what met
with a corresponding display of university wit, and called forth many a
cutting joke: the place itself is an extensive wood on the summit of
a hill, which commands a glorious panoramic view of Oxford and the
surrounding country richly diversified in hill and dale, and sacred
spires shooting their varied forms on high above the domes, and
minarets, and towers of Rhedycina. This spot, the favourite haunt of
the Oxonians, is covered for many miles with the most luxuriant foliage,
affording the cool retreat, the love embowered shades, o