106 IN THE BIDIXG-SCHOOL. 



his head as of his body and legs, which is say- 

 ing much, for his rider's toes are pointing 

 earthward and his heels apparently trying to 

 find a way to one another through the body of 

 his steed. Another man, riding at an amble 

 into which he has forced his fat horse by using 

 a Mexican bit, and keeping his wrists in con- 

 stant motion ; and another, who leans backward 

 until his nose is on a level with the visor of his 

 cap, also attract his attention, but he persists in 

 his opinion that the best riders among the 

 ladies are those who can trot and canter the 

 longest, until your master, coming up, says in 

 answer to your protest against such heresy, 

 " No. Ease and a good seat are indeed 

 essential, but they are not everything. They 

 insure comfort and confidence, but not always 

 safety. It is well to be able to leap a fence 

 without being thrown. It is better to know 

 how to stop and open a gate and shut it after 

 you, lest some day you should have ahorse which 

 cannot leap, or a sprained wrist which may 

 make the leap imprudent for yourself. You 

 can acquire the seat almost insensibly while 

 learning the management, but you must study 



