70 HORSES 



godliness. It is a duty we owe to the Creator to 

 keep our minds and bodies in perfect condition. 



I think it was on the subject of waistcoats and 

 the necessity of having them ventilated that I was 

 led away to this lecture on health. It is not as 

 important for air to reach the legs as the body, and 

 for that reason we may wear leather breeches, 

 whereas a leather waistcoat would be unhealthy. 



In boots we must sacrifice some comfort to ap- 

 pearances, and the well-developed calf, on which 

 the owner prides himself when clad in stockings 

 on the moor or the golf links, may be a source of 

 pain when squeezed into tight top-boots. The top 

 should fit closely to the leg, but the big calf can 

 never hope to look as smart as the spindle-shank. 



You may, however, study your comfort in the 

 foot of the boot, which should be roomy with a 

 good thick sole. If the boot has a thin sole or is 

 tight, you will suffer from cold feet. Silk stockings 

 are an advantage in reducing the circumference 

 of the leg, but it is best to have them made with 

 woollen feet. 



Patent leather is permissible in jack-boots, but 

 never with tops, and for comfort I should advise 

 you not to use it for either. 



Having finished with boots we now get to the 

 spurs. I am not an advocate for the wearing of 

 articles which are for ornament and not for use, 

 but top-boots without spurs have a forlorn appear- 

 ance that would ruin the tout ensemble of an other- 

 wise faultless get-up. In referring here to a spur, 



