226 THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 



and had ample opportunity of observing this. It 

 was quite proverbial among us that a man was not 

 free of the road, who had not paid the penalty of 

 three falls. I believe, that during my five years' 

 residence. I was the only daily traveller upon it 

 who could not claim this freedom. I never had a fall, 

 and yet I rode my horse as freely down the hill, as 

 up it. I attribute my good fortune to my observa- 

 tion of others. I noticed that every rider was accus- 

 tomed to jog gently down, with a tight rein, and 

 forward inclination of the body ; as if he was count- 

 ing the stones before him, and speculating which was 

 to throw him down. Nothing is better calculated to 

 insure a fall ; if a horse's legs are so groggy as to 

 make a tight rein necessary, he should not be ridden 

 at all ; he is not safe on the mos.t level ground ; but 

 if his legs and feet are sound, he should be allowed 

 his head, and left to his natural pace ; the bridle 

 should be firmly in hand, but the mouth need not be 

 worried by constant bearing on the bit. So long as 

 the horse goes freely, he will go safely ; he will of his 

 own accord check his speed if he finds it dangerous, 

 unless urged by unusual stimulus of punishment or 

 competition. I have invariably acted on this princi- 



