114 THE NOBLK SCIENCE. 



look at some urchins, amongst the stable children at 

 Newmarket, riding the gallops. In an old triplet, older 

 than the hills, these words are supposed to be addressed 

 by a horse to his rider : — 



"Up the hill, spare me; 

 Down the hill, bear me ; 

 On the flat, never fear me !" 



A man may lay worse counsel to heart than is 

 contained in this doggerel maxim. The necessity for 

 easing a horse in an ascent, by sparing to urge, by 

 raising one's self over the withers, and by a timely pull on 

 gaining the summit,— the assistance which one may 

 afford by bearing him, instead of abandoning him, on the 

 descent, are sufficiently obvious. The conclusion is 

 rather more comprehensive : " On the flat, never fear 

 me." This conveys not only a willingness to exert his 

 utmost speed, a desire to do his best, if fairly dealt with, 

 but a hint that he may be trusted. You must have 

 confidence in your horse, not pulling him here and 

 there, to steer clear of this or that, which he sees as 

 well, or better, and quicker than yourself. " Never fear 

 him," and send him at his fences in earnest, as though 

 your heart preceded him in his progress. By sending 

 him at his fences, I mean to say, let him know that you 

 intend going, and nothing less. For myself, I am an 

 advocate for putting a horse slowly at most fences, and 



