From G. H. Darwin   [3 February 1870 or earlier]¹

My dear Father,

When I first went to the riding school I asked one of the men whether he thought they wd sell the horse & he said that he thought very likely they wd.²

But I believe they do not profess to sell & so perhaps if I was to go & ask first of all they might say plump out no—but if you hired the horse & liked it I think they wd most likely sell. If however you wd rather not hire without knowing certainly if they’d sell I will go & inquire.

The horse stands I shd guess about $\frac{1}{2}$ a hand higher than Tommy & is up to a greater weight, but that you wd’nt mind. I rode her (its a mare) for about 20 m. in the park; she has a canter like an armchair and a very fair walk—but is a little wooden in the trot—tho’ not at all a high action.— Except Tommy I never rode a quieter horse— certainly she does not go as entirely without the rein as Tommy—but unless she changes when she gets to Down you wo’nt often come across a quieter beast. Of course I ca’nt really judge for you.—