2 6 l^tiit^ to 23ut(t(ing ^portsinun. 



disciples of Walton upon any river or canal bank, 

 or the performer upon a violoncello in an orchestra. 

 If you have a thong to your^whip, you will probably, 

 at an early stage of your equestrian career, acquire 

 the elegant knack of getting it beneath the cantle 

 of your saddle when mounting — an act usually pro- 

 ductive of graceful evolutions on the part of your 

 steed, if not yourself, for some paces to follow — 

 whereas, if, on the other hand, you discard the lash, 

 you will, in all human probability, drop 3'our whip 

 several times per diem, if not lose it altogether ; 

 which course, at all events, has the solitary advantage, 

 if no other, of giving you sundry opportunities of 

 mastering the knack of mounting w^ell. In doing 

 this you may either grasp the reins and stand (as 

 our Cavalry do) with your back to your horse's 

 head, or the reverse. If you adopt the former course, 

 and your horse is restively inclined, you are liable 

 to find yourself very shortly on your back instead of 

 his ; and if the latter, will not unfrequently be cow- 

 kicked, or (should you escape that calamity) deposit 

 yourself, after a scramble, beyond the saddle upon 

 terra firma. 



It will, moreover, you will find, greatly add to your 

 horse's lightheartedness if you allow him to feel the 

 rowels of your spur across his quarters as you swing 

 yourself into (or over) the pigskin. Sportsmen dis- 



