THE LADY'S DRESS ON HORSEBACK. 59 



of adopting. Some, I know, regard it as chic : a principle 

 that makes them also keep their elbows out from their sides 

 — but with the vagaries of such persons I have happily 

 little to do, and certainly have very little sympathy. 



Veils should be of black net, cut just deep enough to cover 

 the tip of the nose, without reaching below the nostrils, and 

 they ought to be sufficiently long to twist into the form of 

 a knot at the back of the hat, where they should be 

 secured with two short steel pins. Those which have round 

 shiny black heads are the best, being easily seized upon, 

 even by gloved fingers, when the hand is put back for the 

 purpose of removing them. 



You will observe that I have said the veil should be 

 twisted^ not actually knotted, at the back of the leaf of the 

 hat — for when it is the latter, there is always difficulty 

 in undoing it, and frequently the hat itself has to come 

 off before the veil can be successfully got rid of Dust- 

 veils, of grey or black gauze, are extremely useful in the 

 country, but ought not to be worn in town — nor should 

 any description of white veil ever be seen on a lady's 

 riding-hat, even though she be exercising in the wilds of 

 Connemara, or in a district as lonely as the deserts of the 

 East. 



Whips are of many sorts and patterns. Select the 

 plainest among those of good description, and on no 

 account carry one that has a tassel appended. Never use 

 a hunting-crop except when going out with hounds, and 

 do not despise a neat little switch if riding in the heart 

 of the country. 



