THE USE OF THE BRIDLE. 57 



noble animal is generous as he is brave, and silent as 

 he is wise. 



I have already observed there are many more kinds 

 of bridles than those just mentioned. Major Dwyer's, 

 notably, of which the principle is an exact fitting of 

 bridoon and curb-bits to the horse's mouth, seems to 

 give general satisfaction ; and Lord Gardner, whose 

 opinion none are likely to dispute, stamps it with his 

 approval. I confess, however, to a preference for the 

 old-fashioned double-bridles, such as are called respec- 

 tively the Dunchurch, Nos. I and 2, being persuaded 

 that these will meet the requirements of nine horses 

 out of ten that have any business in the hunting-field. 

 The first, very large, powerful, and of stronger leverage 

 than the second, should be used with discretion, but, 

 in good hands, is an instrument against which the most 

 resolute puller, if he insists on fighting with it, must 

 contend in vain. Thus tackled, and ridden by such a 

 horseman as Mr. Angerstein, for instance, of Weeting, 

 in Norfolk, I do not believe there are half-a-dozen 

 hunters in England that could get the mastery. Whilst 

 living in Northamptonshire I remember he owned a 

 determined runaway, not inappropriately called " Hard 

 Bargain," that in this bridle he could turn and twist like 

 a pony. I have no doubt he has not forgotten the 



