26 RIDING 



from the contest a furlong from home. Downe, who for 

 many years did for Mr. Behrens professionally what Captain 

 Smith assisted in as a labour of love, 1 is a brilliant exemplai 

 of the horse tutor ; he knows exactly the amount and nature of 

 work requisite for his pupils, is as prodigal of his person as an 

 undergraduate, and if he fails to attain the immortality of Dick 

 Christian, it will be but for want of a 'Druid ' as his vates sacer. 



The item of education on which the rough rider specially 

 insists, and in which his services are most valuable, is that his- 

 horse shall always know how to go first, not necessarily first in 

 the sense of being nearest to hounds, for a servant cutting 

 out the work is almost sure to arouse the ire of the M.F.H. 

 who pours forth the vials of his wrath very freely on the head 

 of such an offender, if the pack is pressed upon ; but in. 

 the sense of going resolutely just at the particular spot in each 

 fence chosen by his rider, who should go out of his way rather 

 than follow anyone. The horse of the rough rider is supposed 

 to be handed over a hunter totus et teres to his employer.. 

 All men who have any claim to the title of ' good to hounds ' 

 habitually ride their own line, not disdaining the friendly lead 

 on occasion of necessity, but as a rule and as far as practicable 

 picking their own places, to avoid the chance of a collision 

 which produces certain disaster, and to escape the annoyance 

 of having to pull up, or pull off, in the event of a friend falling 

 just in front of them. A first flight man would always rather 

 find himself on the back of an animal somewhat casual as to his 

 taking off, so long as he went where he was put, than be mounted 

 on a horse brilliant and accurate, while he can see another be- 

 fore him, but scotching, hanging, shifting, and looking nine ways, 

 for company, when he finds himself leading what he evidently 

 considers a forlorn hope. Hands will cure or mitigate rashness ; 

 spurs are but an untrustworthy corrective of a failing spirit. 



Whilst on the subject of going first, it may be opportune to 



1 Since the above was written the Newport Lodge establishment has been, 

 broken up by the death of Mr. Behrens, and Captain Smith has migrated to 

 the Crawley and Horsham country. 



