THE HAND GALLOP. 239 



parties, as the motion is so smooth that conver- 

 sation can be kept up without difficulty. If 

 the animal's movements are light, supple, and 

 elegant, the lady rider presents a very graceful 

 appearance when riding this gait, as the reac- 

 tions in it are very mild ; it is the gait par ex- 

 cellence, for a country ride. 



On a breezy summer morning, there is noth- 

 ing more exhilarating than a ride at a hand 

 gallop, on a willing, spirited horse ; it brightens 

 the spirits, braces the nerves, refreshes the 

 brain, and enables one to realize that " life is 

 worth living." 



<l I tell thee, stranger, that unto me 



The plunge of a fiery steed 

 Is a noble thought, to the brave and free 

 It is music, and breath, and majesty, 



'T is the life of a noble deed; 

 And the heart and the mind are in spirit allied 

 In the charm of a morning's glorious ride." 



Let all gloomy, dyspeptic invalids try the 

 cheering effects of a hand gallop, that they may 

 catch a glimpse of the sunlight that is always 

 behind even the darkest cloud of despondency. 



When the horse is advancing in a collected 

 canter, if the rider will animate him a little 

 more by gentle taps with the whip, and then as 

 he springs forward give him more liberty of 

 the curb-rein, he will enter upon a hand gal- 

 lop. In this gait he will lead either with the 



