THE WALK. 29 



each pace exactly, and marking regular cadence, the knee 

 moderately bent, the leg, in the case of what Paddy terms 

 ''a flippant shtepper," being sharply caught up, appearing 

 suspended in the air for a second, and the foot brought 

 smartly and firmly, without jar, to the ground. This is the 

 perfection of a walking pace. By degrees any nervousness 

 wears off, the rigid trussed appearance gives place to one 

 of pliancy and comparative security, the body loses its 

 constrained stiffness, and begins to conform to and sway 

 with the movements of the horse. The rider, sitting per- 

 fectly straight and erect, approaches the correct position, 

 and lays the foundation of that ease and bearing which are 

 absolutely indispensable. 



After a lesson or two, if not of the too-timid order, the 

 lady will find herself sitting just so far forward in the 

 saddle as is consistent with perfect ease and comfort, and 

 with the full power to grasp the upright crutch firmly with 

 her right knee ; she will be aware of the friendly grip of 

 the leaping-head over her left leg ; the weight of her body 

 will fall exactly on the centre of the saddle; her head, 

 though erect, will be perfectly free from constraint, the 

 shoulders well squared, and the hollow of the back grace- 

 fully bent in, as in waltzing. This graceful pose of the 

 figure may be readily acquired, throughout the prelimi- 

 nary lessons, and indeed on all occasions when under 

 tuition,^by passing the right arm behind the waist, back of 

 the hand to the body, and riding with it in that position. 

 Another good plan, which can only be practised in the 

 riding-school or in some out-of-the-way quiet corner, and 

 then only on a very steady horse, is for the beginner, with- 

 out relaxing her grip on the crutch and the pressure on the 

 leaping-head, as she sits, to lean or recline back so that her 

 two shoulder-blades touch the hip-boneg of the horse, re- 



