66 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



lessly, in an apparently unstudied manner. In 

 reality, however, all the Parisian's ease and 

 grace are the results of careful training, but so 

 perfect is the instruction that art is made to 

 appear like nature. 



In selecting a riding whip care should be 

 taken to secure one that is straight and stiff ; 

 if it be curved, it may accidentally touch the 

 horse and make him restless ; if flexible it will 

 be of no use in managing him. The handle of 

 the whip may be very plain, or the lady may 

 indulge her taste for the ornamental by having 

 it very elaborate and rich, but she should be 

 careful never to sacrifice strength to appear- 

 ances. Any projecting points that might catch 

 on the dress and tear it must be dispensed with. 

 That the whip may not be lost if the hand should 

 unwittingly lose its hold upon it, a loop of silk 

 cord should be fastened firmly to the handle, 

 and the hand passed through this loop. When 

 riding, the whip should always be held in the 

 right hand with a grasp sufficient to retain it, 

 but not as if in a vise ; the point should be di- 

 rected downward, or toward the hind-leg of the 

 horse, care being taken not to touch him with 

 it except when necessary. 



