256 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



had the ability to go. There were a few who rode well, 

 and some of them are still going; but the numbers are 

 limited in comparison with the younger men. To 

 maintain a good place with hounds with the least 

 number of falls is more the order of the day than it was 

 wont to be. Tumbling over fences is not altogether a 

 desirable method of crossing a country ; at any rate it 

 is more amusing to the spectators than the performers ; 

 but when it is performed it should be done artistically, 

 for there is much art in falling, in order to avoid acci- 

 dents and loss of time. 



But it must not be inferred that any man shall ride 

 to hounds without having falls ; such a doctrine would 

 be absurd; indeed, if security could be effected against 

 such risks one half of the charms of hunting would be 

 exterminated. The glorious uncertainty which is at- 

 tendant upon the chase as well as racing constitutes 

 the excitement, the essence of pleasure. 



Coming to the conclusion that falls are inevitable, it 

 is a consideration how a man may fall most advan- 

 tageously. Peradventure some gentlemen would be am- 

 bitious to fall gracefully, an accomplishment not 

 readily to be acquired ; others may be content if they 

 can acquire the habit of falling safely, no doubt the 

 most desirable; and in this there is as much difference 

 in men as there is in their style of riding. Coolness and 

 activity are qualifications with which all are not en- 

 dowed alike, and on those enviable exertions the 

 safety of a ' falling hero ' is greatly dependent. When 

 a purl is inevitable, the great object is to get clear of 

 the horse as quickly as possible, in order to avoid his 

 rolling over his rider : some men will spin out of the 

 way with wonderful alacrity, get on their legs, catch 

 their horses as they (the horses) are in the act of rising, 

 remount and start again as if nothing had happened ; 

 while others come down to the ground * a burster,' and 

 lie there as if they were killed, yet in all probability 

 they are not much hurt. Falls are no disparagement 

 to men's abilities as horsemen unless thev be of a cer- 



