THE USE OF THE BRIDLE. 39 



entering on the vexed question of comparative merit in 

 hounds, hunters, pace, country and sport, at an interval 

 of more than two generations, I think I can find a 

 reason, and it seems to me simply this. 



Most of these hunting pictures are representations 

 of the chase in our midland counties, notably Leicester- 

 shire and Northamptonshire, then only partially in- 

 closed ; boundary fences of large properties were few 

 and far between, straggling also, and ill-made-up, the 

 high thorn hedges that now call forth so much bold 

 and so much timid riding, either did not exist, or 

 were of such tender growth as required protection by 

 a low rail on each side, and a sportsman, with flying 

 coat-tails, doubling these obstacles neatly, at his own 

 pace, forms a favourite subject for the artist of the 

 time. Twenty or thirty horsemen, at most, com- 

 prised the field ; in such an expanse of free country 

 there must have been plenty of room to ride, and we 

 all know how soon a horse becomes amenable to 

 control on a moor or an open down. The surface too 

 was undrained, and a few furlongs bring the .hardest 

 puller to reason when he goes in over his fetlocks 

 every stride. Hand and heel are the two great 

 auxiliaries of the equestrian, but our grandfathers, I 

 imagine, made less use of the bridle than the spur. 



