THE LADY'S HORSE. 29 



though I fear Mr. Bottles considered his dignity rather 

 compromised by his share in this diurnal piece of 

 petting. 



In the country a lady can always go to the stable. I 

 don't like, however, to see them go up to a horse in the 

 stall. A touch of a crinoline (reduced as these are), the 

 rustling of a silk dress, or fifty other things, may startle 

 a horse, and a frightened horse is the most fearful of wild 

 fowl, and quite the most inconsiderate of created beings. 

 It is safer to bring their heads round preparatory to 

 giving them the piece of carrot, apple, or whatever the 

 present may consist of. 



And now a word of advice on the subject of hunting to 

 any ladies not accustomed to that sport who may do me 

 the honour to read these lines, " if any such there be " (I 

 mean readers) . Never, if you can help it possibly, go out 

 hunting without a groom. Make up your mind before 

 you start whether you mean to ride the run or to be a 

 spectator. If by any mischance your groom is not to be 

 had, and you don't want to go in the first flight, don't 

 allow your cavalier to ride anything but a bond fide hack. 

 On a hunter the mildest of men may try some short cut 

 which may not suit you. Don't go even to the meet on 

 a horse who is not at all events a little used to a similar 

 scene. The quietest horses sometimes become ungovern- 

 able on their first introduction to the chase. Never go 

 near the hounds, unless you know from personal experi- 

 ence that your horse won't kick them. Learn to open a 

 gate for yourself. If the huntsman is ever such a friend 

 of yours, don't speak to him after the business of the day 

 commences. He has as much to think of as the conven- 

 tional " man at the wheel," who is addressed by no one, 

 even on business. On the same principal, don't be angry 



