250 CENTURY OF ENGLISH FOX-HUNTING 



Exhibition of Saddlery held in Saddlers' Hall, Cheap- 

 side, June, 1892." The Introduction is well worth 

 perusal, as it is the work of an eminent classical 

 scholar, namely Mr. John W. Sherwell. But while 

 in the East, from Constantinople to Baghdad, and 

 from Baghdad to Delhi, the traveller becomes familiar 

 with horses proudly caparisoned with panaches, 

 tassels, and bells in profusion, richly coloured hous- 

 ings and furniture in purple or crimson satin, with 

 braid of gold, applique vjox\<., and frequently decorated 

 with jewels, harness bright with burnished brass of 

 showy design, everything gay, glittering, often gaudy, 

 but never out of harmony with scenes of perpetual 

 sunshine, nor with the picturesqueness of their sur- 

 roundings, English fox-hunters have long discarded 

 superfluous ornament. 



In regard to the construction of the modern saddle, 

 I have heard it stated that the best judge in England 

 is unable to tell a good saddle at sight. The shape 

 and quality of the pigskin may apparently be per- 

 fection, but the " tree," which is the foundation of the 

 saddle, is hidden from sight. I do not propose in 

 this place to discuss the structure of the " tree " ; but 

 should any of my readers desire information on the 

 subject, I refer them to A Manual of Saddles and 

 Collars, Sore Backs and Sore Shoulders, by Veterinary 

 Major F. Smith, F.R.C.V.S. It is only a small shilling 

 book, but it contains all the information which the 

 reader needs to know, though it must be remembered 

 that the manual was written for army purposes, and 



