224 THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 



becomes habitual, is incurable vice. But the groom 

 alone is not in fault ; many of the minor tricks are 

 taught by the rider. 



A horse should be mounted steadily, but promptly, 

 and when mounted, should be allowed to walk away 

 quietly for the first hundred yards : instead of this, 

 nothing is more common than to see a man, as soon 

 as his foot is in the stirrup, apply the spur, and 

 check the curb, to show off his horse's spirit. Thus 

 he becomes irritable and impatient the moment he is 

 led out of the stable, and sometimes acquires a 

 habit of rearing and plunging before the rider is 

 well settled in his seat. Some thoughtless block 

 heads can never .pass a carriage, especially if 

 ladies are in it, without the same ambition of dis- 

 play ; hence the animal views an approaching car- 

 riage as the forerunner of punishment, and resists 

 every attempt to pass it. Many who ought to know 

 better, (I have myself been among the number,) 

 challenge every stage they overtake ; eager to '' give 

 it the go by," they put the horse to his speed, and 

 the horse is taught a foolish and dangerous competi- 

 tion, till his trot breaks into a gallop, at the sound of 

 wheels. In harness, horses frequently acquire the 



