INTRODUCTION. 3 



and my fair readers, if they wish to prolong 

 those charms for which they are world re- 

 nowned, charms whose only fault is their too 

 fleeting existence, must take exercise, and be 

 more in the fresh air and sunshine. 



How much better to keep old age at bay by 

 these innocent means, than to resort to meas- 

 ures which give to the eye of the world a coun- 

 terfeit youth that will not deceive for a moment. 

 Even an elderly lady may without offense or 

 harsh criticism recall some of the past joys of 

 younger years by an occasional ride for health 

 or recreation, and, while gracefully accepting 

 her half century, or more, of life, she can still 

 retain some of the freshness and spirit of by- 

 gone years. 



Not only is health preserved and life pro- 

 longed by exercise on horseback, but, in ad- 

 dition, sickness is banished, or meliorated, and 

 melancholy, that dark demon which occasion- 

 ally haunts even the most joyous life, is over- 

 come and driven back to the dark shades from 

 whence it came. Should the reader have the 

 good fortune to possess an intelligent horse, she 

 can, when assailed by sorrows real or fancied, 

 turn to this true, willing friend, whose affec- 

 tionate neigh of greeting as she approaches, 

 and whose pretty little graceful arts, will tend 



