46 BUNTING AND SPORTING NOTES. 



when tliose wretclied debates have scarcely commenced, 

 when everything cheerful is in Leicestershire, when the 

 spring is setting in with more severity than usual, if f 

 occupy a little of my own time and your attention by 

 entering upon an important, but delicate question. How 

 far is woman fulfilling her mission by adopting some of 

 the attributes of the other sex — more especially in the 

 matter of sport ? Do not, fair ladies, imagine me ignorant 

 of the fact that there is much to be said on both sides. I 

 have not now to learn that wherever you are concerned 

 there is certain to be something to say ; and usually it is 

 very well said. But listen to me first, and dispute with 

 me afterwards ; and if I am unable to retract, your 

 opinions shall be treated at least with all the respect they 

 deserve. 



** There is so much that is charming, so much that is 

 elegant, nay, so much that has an appearance of tenderness 

 ancT delicacy in the connection of a pretty woman and 

 her horse, that I am almost afraid of being mistaken when 

 I combat the abuse of a companionship calculated to 

 exhibit both in a charming point of view. But, surely, 

 no one means to assert that Lady Nancy Bell by the side 

 of Lord Lovel, in Eotten Eow, reining in her milk-white 

 steed to a pace which accommodates itself to the intellect 

 or conversation of her lover, is the same person we saw 

 coming neck and crop at a hand gallop over the rails art 

 the bottom of Loseby, or swimming about in the brook 

 below Cank, when she was only preserved from extremities 

 by the assiduities of a ploughman and his team. Look 

 at her now, every band of that beautiful hair in place ; 

 her soft w^iite hand bared to caress her favourite Selim ; 

 her faultless form, lithe and lissom, retaining its upright 

 carriage, only to move with her horse, as his lengthened 

 stride proclaims his power and temper ; the folds of her 

 .graceful habit undisturbed by a passing wind ; and her 

 brow unruffled, uncontrolled l3y a single frown ; and you 

 have a picture of womanly delicacy and ease, not more 



than equalled by the repose of as she smiles her 



languid smile from the soft cushions of her barouche. 

 Look at her again ; her rigid figure thrown back, or 

 leaning constrainedly forward ; her hair looking as if it 

 belonged to no particular parish, but had a claim upon 



