FOR PEACE AND WAR. 153 



person, is the only one for which there is a gi-eat laxity and care- 

 lessness in seeking the best master 1 



We should justly call the young person a simpleton, who would 

 stand up in a crowded ball-room without having received a lesson 

 in dancing ; who would attempt a duet, while ignorant of the 

 gamut ; or who would fight a duel with rapiers, never having so 

 much as handled a foil. But that bug-bear to advancement, 

 custom, has reconciled us, amongst other monstrosities, to the 

 sight of hundreds of aspirants to horsemanship, who do not 

 hesitate to vault into the saddle without a single preliminary 

 lesson, there coolly, and as a matter of course, to perpetuate such 

 blunders, and exhibit such awkwardness, as, if they occurred in a 

 quadrille or other dance, would cover the transgressor with 

 confusion. 



But to those who, regarding horsemanship as an accomplish- 

 ment of the most important consideration in society, and for 

 personal comfort and safety, set themselves to learn it, like any 

 other branch of a complete education, the toil and pains of learn- 

 ing are amply repaid by very great pleasure, opportunities, and 

 advantages. 



If the educated horseman be fortunate enough to possess a well- 

 trained horse, he keeps him so ; if he mount an animal whose 

 balance is defective, he soon discovers the defect, and removes it ; 

 every ride to such a horseman, or horsewoman, is an exercise of 

 mind as well as body, and redounds to their profit, not only in 

 point of recreation and health, but also in a positive addition to 

 tlie value of the animal beneath him. 



In the Hunt or Steeple-chase, while others, mounted, perhaps, 

 on higher-bred and better horses, may be seen leaping short, or 

 'Tunning baulks," at every fence, their horses being in that 

 state of extension which renders them incapable of collecting 

 themselves for a well-measured or fearless spring ; the educated 

 rider will be observed, even on an inferior animal, timing his 

 stride, and uniting him in such a way, as to bring him up to every 

 fence with his propellers directly under his weight, and ready at 

 the shortest notice to throw their whole energy into the leap, 



