THE LADY'S HORSE. 3 



so many valses or even journeys to the tea-room or conser- 

 vatory. In my own limited experience I knew an unfor- 

 tunate instance in which a young lady, very pretty, clever, 

 of good family, in every way desirable, lost her chance 

 (which had been more than promising) of the " parti " of 

 the season, merely by an unfortunate notion that she 

 would like to ride one of his horses. Being rather nervous, 

 she held her reins very short and her hand on the nag's 

 mane ; her right arm was bent, and she was all on one 

 side. A thoughtless friend remarked casually to the 

 object, " Who's that girl ? Looks like a teapot, by Jove !" 

 (Fig. 1 .) The resemblance was undeniable ; the con- 

 vinced and horror-stricken admirer fled from town to Scot- 

 land by that night's limited mail, and when he returned 

 he was a " pere de famille." 



On the other hand, a well-fitting habit on a decent 

 figure, held properly, is one of the most becoming of 

 dresses, and excites admiration in about the same pro- 

 portion that a bad one provokes ridicule. So much for 

 riding in town. 



In the country how often there is the choice between 

 riding, driving (which is no exercise), or staying at home. 

 When even the gravel walks are so wet that a stroll in 

 the garden partakes of the nature of an aquatic feat, the 

 fields or sides of the roads are in the best possible order 

 for a canter. Even in dry weather, a ride is a pleasant 

 change from the eternal croquet, and when it is too hot 

 to walk it is seldom too hot for a quiet ride. 



All this being so, and the point being settled that it is 

 desirable to ride, and to ride well, the first necessary is a 

 horse ; and I know of but one way of procuring a lady's 

 horse viz., paying for it what most likely would be con- 

 sidered a fancy price for any other hack. But it must be 



B 2 



