326 HUNTERS. 



Moderation in the chase, and steady at- 

 tention to the leading hounds, will con- 

 stantly prevent considerable difficulty to the 

 rider^ as well as the horse ; this is a matter, 

 however, more ** devoutly to be wished,'* 

 than at all to be expected. It is equally 

 natural to conclude, that most of those ad- 

 herents attached to and enjoying the chase, 

 would regulate the speed of their horses 

 by the depth of the ground they go over ; 

 observation daily convinces us it is not so, 

 and that there are very numerous excep- 

 tions to such necessary and laudable circum- 

 stances. 



Experience constantly affords us demon-- 

 strative proof, that nothing so much ex- 

 hausts the bodily strength, reduces the 

 speed, and exhausts the wind, as strong and 

 repeated leaps in any, but particularly in 

 deep countries : this reflection ought surely 

 to convince young or unthinking riders, 

 that superfluous leaps, and unnecessary diffi- 

 culties, should never be boastingly encoun- 

 tered, to display an affectation of equestrian 

 courage, or pragmatic consequence ; for they 

 immediately (in the mind of every prudoit 



