THE GROOM 



141 



of the stables, and by way of exercise, rather than in 

 expectation of being really wanted. Doubtless it is 

 convenient to have two out ; one may fall lame, lose 

 a shoe, and the man who is provided seldom wants. 

 Here, then, let us recommend Grooms to ride like 

 Grooms, and not like gentlemen, in the hunting field. 

 They have no business in the front rank ; neither is 

 it etiquette to pass in muddy lanes and roads. This 

 latter hint may be useful to others than servants. 



We do not exactly know whence the "Pad Groom " 

 derives his title, nor indeed what, in a "Castle of 



Indolence," would be considered the legitimate duties 

 of his office. In the humbleness of our ignorance we 

 have confounded them with the Second Horsemen, 

 though we believe there is a distinction, without, 

 perhaps, much difference. The "Pad Groom," we 

 rather think, forms the sort of appendage to his 

 master that the can sometimes does to the dog's tail 

 — while the Second Horseman may flourish about 

 the country, so long as he keeps on the line of the 

 hounds. The " Pad Groom " should act as pioneer, 

 and be always ready to ram through a bullfinch, or 

 blind fence, it being derogatory to a gentlemanjto 



