HAND. 75 



that he is " a bit of a romp ; " and you observe, with 

 some concern, that surrounding circumstances, a race, 

 a review, a coursing-meeting, or a sure find, it matters 

 little which, are likely to rouse all the tumultuous 

 propensities of his nature. Obviously it would be 

 exceedingly bad policy to have the slightest misunder- 

 standing. The stone of Sisyphus gathered impetus 

 less rapidly than does a horse who is getting the better 

 of his rider ; and John Gilpin was not the first eques- 

 trian, by a good many, for whom 



" The trot became a gallop soon, 

 In spite of curb and rein." 



" I am the owner, I wish I could say the master, of 

 the four best hunters I ever had in my life," wrote one 

 of the finest horsemen in Europe to a brother pro- 

 ficient in the art ; and although so frank an avowal 

 would have seemed less surprising from an inferior per- 

 former, his friend, who was also in the habit of riding" 

 anything, anywhere, and over everything, doubtless 

 understood perfectly what he meant. 



Now in equitation there can be no divided empire ; 

 and the horse will most assuredly be master if the man 

 is not. In the interests of good government, then, be- 

 ware how you let your authority literally slip through 



