lo RIDING FOR LADIES. 



of the trade, have a character to lose, and can be trusted. 

 There has been a certain moral obliquity attached to dealing 

 in horses ever since, and probably before, they of the House 

 of Togarmah traded in Tyrian fairs with horses, horsemen, 

 and mules. Should your friend after all his trouble purchase 

 something that does not to the full realize your fondest 

 expectation, take the will for the deed, and bear in mind 

 " oft expectation fails, and most oft there where most it 

 promises." 



With nineteen ladies out of every score, the looks of 

 a horse are a matter of paramount importance : he must be 

 " a pretty creature, with beautiful deer-like legs, and a 

 lovely head." Their inclinations lead them to admire what 

 is beautiful in preference to what is true of build, useful, 

 and safe. If a lady flattered me with a commission to buy 

 her a horse, having decided upon the colour, I should 

 look out for something after this pattern : one that would 

 prove an invaluable hack, and mayhap carry her safely and 

 well across country. 



Height fifteen two, or fifteen three at the outside ; age 

 between six and eight, as thoroughbred as Eclipse or 

 nearly so. The courage of the lion yet gentle withal. 

 Ears medium size, well set on, alert ; the erect and quick 

 "pricking" motion indicates activity and spirit. I would 

 not reject a horse, if otherwise coming up to the mark, 

 for a somewhat large ear or for one slightly inclined to be 

 lopped, for in blood this is a pretty certain indication of 

 the Melbourne strain, one to which we are much indebted. 

 The characteristics of the Melbournes are, for the most 

 part, desirable ones : docility, good temper, vigorous con- 

 stitution, plenty of size, with unusually large bone, sound- 

 ness of joints and abundance of muscle. But these racial 

 peculiarities are recommendations for the coverside rather 



