ATTRACTION
—is positively, in some respects, the best property (if it can be so termed) a horse can possibly possess, at least so far as it is admitted to exceed every other qualification in its effect upon the mind of the owner during the time he is in possession; as well as no inconsiderable gratification of pecuniary expectation when the horse comes to be sold. The great advantage arising from attraction in a horse is, that, however vexatious his defects in respect to temper and action may be, he will never hang upon hand, or the owner be long in want of a customer, if external figure and good colour do but afford attraction in any tolerable degree. There are always those in pursuit of horses for purchase, who more know what constitutes figure at first sight, than what constitutes good points after a week's examination. Two good ends (as the dealers term them) well set on, and both up, go a great way in the fashionable work of attraction; without one or both of which, a horse can never become a commanding figure, either before or behind; and, strange as it may be thought by the young or inexperienced, there are numerous instances of horses bearing, in their general appearance, a kind of attracting uniformity, that, upon critical investigation, are found not to have any distinguishing point of excellence about them. Those, however, who have the prudence to bear in memory the effect of attraction, and to secure it when they buy, will never be at much loss when they sell: it will be also by no means inapplicable to have it equally "in the mind's eye," that many horses without attraction are too dear at nothing.
ATTIRE
—of a deer. See Antlers.
AVIARY
—a receptacle for singing birds of different denominations, more adapted to the pleasures of the ladies, than any systematic pursuit or enquiry of the sportsman.
B.
BABBLER
—is a hound upon whose tongue no firm reliance is to be made, either in drag, upon trail, or the recovery of a fault during the chase; so strictly true is the well known adage, that "a liar is not to be believed although he speaks the truth."