IN SEAKCH OF A HORSE. 227 



pie, and found it safe : I think if some of my Hamp- 

 stead friends were to adopt it too, they would not 

 be obliged to purchase the " freedom of the road" at 

 such a costly price. It is a principle, almost an 

 axiom, in horsemanship, that the most fearless rider 

 is the safest. I know of no instance in which it so 

 truly applies, as in leaping or riding down hill. I 

 have witnessed more falls in hunting from checking a 

 horse at his leaps, than from any other cause ; and 

 I believe for the same reason that he stumbles in 

 descending a hill, when the bridle is tight in hand. 



It is very desirable to inform oneself speedily of 

 any peculiarities in a horse that has been recently 

 purchased. An instance of the awkward predica- 

 ment in which one may unexpectedly be placed by 

 tricks, partly playful and partly vicious, lately occur- 

 red to myself. I was mounted on a very good horse, 

 but of a temper somewhat uncertain. He was well 

 known to my private friends by the name of Caliban. 

 I was proceeding leisurely from the House of Com- 

 mons just at that period of the day, when the street 

 is usually crowded by the members' carriages: the 

 result was a complete blockade of the whole way as 

 far as Charing Cross. I threaded the carriages sue- 



