IN THE FIELD. 313 



remarks indulged in by sufferers who have over and 

 over again writhed under disappointments, that if 

 inflicted by our own sex, would have quickly called 

 forth direct charges of inconsiderateness and want of 

 courtesy." 



From this admonition the tyro may learn two things 

 which will be of great service to her in hunting. First, 

 the necessity of providing herself with a strong hunting 

 crop, which should be sufficiently long and stiff to 

 stop a gate easily, with a good handle to it capable of 

 opening or stopping a gate, and the orthodox thong 

 and lash attached to prevent the whip from falling on 

 the ground if she loses her hold of it at a gateway. 

 Provided with this serviceable crop, a lady, before she 

 appears in the hunting field, should ride through as 

 many different varieties of gates as she can find, and 

 should thoroughly master the art of opening and 

 shutting them herself, and of giving the necessary push 

 with her crop as she passes through for the assistance of 

 imaginary riders behind her. In Leicestershire there 

 are so many bridle roads that a lady may obtain any 

 amount of this practice when hacking. It would be well 

 for her to ride the horses on which she intends to hunt, 

 as she will be teaching them to go steadily through 

 gates while she is perfecting herself in the art of open- 

 ing and shutting them, and her hunters will also learn 

 the important accomplishment of being able to push a 

 gate when it opens from her. She should be careful to 

 securely shut every gate through which she may pass, 

 because farm stock are apt to stray through gates which 



