HAND. 89 



and a clear place, for it was already beginning to fill 

 with numerous competitors, he set his horse going, at 

 about a hundred yards from the brink; in the most 

 masterly manner, increasing the pace resolutely but 

 gradually, so as not to flurry or cause the animal to 

 change his leg, nearly to full speed before he took off. 

 I could not have believed it possible to make a horse 

 go so fast in so collected a form ; but with the rider's 

 strength in the saddle, and perfectly skilful hands, he 

 Accomplished the feat, and got well over, I need hardly 

 say, in his stride. 



But, although a fine "bridle-hand," as it is called, 

 proves of such advantage to the horseman in the hurry- 

 skurry of a steeplechase or a very quick thing with 

 hounds, its niceties come more readily under the notice 

 of an observer on the road than in the field. Perhaps 

 the Ride in Hyde Park is the place of all others where 

 this quality is most appreciated, and, shall we add ? 

 most rarely to be found. A perfect Park hack, that 

 can walk or canter five miles an hour, no light crite- 

 rion of action and balance, should also be so well 

 broke, and so well ridden, as to change its leg, if asked 

 to do so, at every stride. " With woven paces," if not 

 "with waving arms," I have seen rider and horse 

 threading in and out the trees that bisect Rotten 



