FIRST HINTS TO A LEARNER. 27 



whenever we came to a patch of grass by the roadside, as 

 though to give me full opportunity for feasting my eyes 

 upon her figure. 



Ah me ! How often have I seen the same thing since 

 that well-remembered day ; seen it — been sorry for it 

 — and yet smiled to myself because of the vanity and the 

 folly. Would that we all — each one of us — could " see 

 ourselves as others see us!" but, unfortunately, we never 

 can. 



To return, however, to the subject-matter in hand. 



Should it happen that you are chiefly resident in the 

 country, or that you enjoy the luxury of complete im- 

 munity from city life for even a portion of the year, defer 

 riding until that time of times comes round, and then teach 

 yourself, by simply following a trustworthy code of in- 

 structions laid down by some reliable authority. 



This may sound as though I had, after all, but little real 

 faith in riding-masters. It is certainly not so meant. I 

 would not for a passing moment cast the smallest slur upon 

 a painstaking and often much-maligned body of men, many 

 of whom are capable of bringing a pupil forward in an 

 almost marvellous manner, by the excellence of their 

 method, and that ready observance of so-called "trifles," 

 in other words, a quick eye, and rapid detection of any- 

 thing that is amiss, which are the riding-master's most 

 valuable attributes. Nevertheless, despite the good opinion 

 in which I hold many instructors of the art, I am a very 

 strong believer in the eflicacy of self-help, and just as a 

 novice at skating will, in spite of many sore falls and pain- 



