CAPRICE. 91 



sometimes by a mere fluke hit off the means of having 

 his own way with a capricious though perhaps really 

 well-disposed animal, if one only knew the way to 

 manage him. 



For instance, a first-class hunter of my own (Baronet), 

 whose excellent performance in the field, where I had 

 seen him tried, induced me to purchase him, soon gave 

 evidence of a peculiarity for which, unknown to me, 

 he had made himself remarkable. No ordinary means 

 could prevail upon him to go through any street of a 

 town except such as he pleased himself, of which he 

 gave me evidence the first day I had occasion to try him 

 in that way, walking on his hind legs directly his will 

 was disputed on the subject, even to the extent of a 

 mere pressure on the rein at the side he was required 

 to turn. In my difficulty, instinct prompted me to drop 

 the reins and gently direct his progress with the point 

 of the whip at the side of his nose, and in this way he 

 went ever after as quiet as a sheep with me. Having 

 discovered his caprice, I was always provided with a 

 handle of a whip or a switch of some kind for his bene- 

 fit. Riding him one day into Dycer's, an old acquaint- 

 ance of his, well aware of his propensity, exclaimed in 

 terms not complimentary to Baronet at my possession 

 of him, and was much amused when I told him my 

 simple method of managing this self-willed gentleman. 



The same sort of what I can scarcely help terming 

 "instinct" that has often taught me, and doubtless 

 hundreds of other practical horsemen, to meet the whims 

 of their steeds so as to suit themselves, produced a vic- 

 tory somewhat similar to the foregoing over an animal 

 that, in the presence of a large assemblage interested in 

 his performance, most determinedly refused to trot. 



