HUNTING OUTFIT CONSIDERED. 183 



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on horseback. The elegance of the figure depends upon its 

 flexibiHty, and a supple foot is in its own way quite as 

 much to be commended. If the boots are too tight, the feet 

 will be cold ; nothing on earth conduces so largely to that 

 oft-complained-of evil as wearing boots that are dispro- 

 portionately small and close-fitting. The foot should be 

 able to move freely within its covering, even though clad in 

 the double stocking which I have so confidently recom- 

 mended. A broad sole, wide toe, and flat broad heel, placed 

 properly back, as far as the natural heel, are the requisites 

 for a comfortable riding-boot. 



I have already drawn attention to the fact that a consider- 

 able distance has sometimes to be walked in boots that have 

 been made, ostensibly, for riding in alone. For example, a 

 horse may get away from his rider after a fall, and leave her to 

 walk across several fields — over very rough ground perhaps 

 — ay, and to climb fences, and get through rutty gaps too, 

 before arriving at a point at which he can be brought up for 

 her to remount him ; while, in addition to all this, a gentle - 

 hearted equestrian will often of her own accord like to get 

 off, when taking a tired horse home to his stable, and will 

 walk alongside of him with the bridle thrown over her arm, a 

 piece of humanity which eases her own limbs as well as his. 

 To have comfortable pliant boots, and everything else pro- 

 portionately easy-fitting, will be found both healthy and 

 wise. In short, a lady dressed for riding ought to be able 

 when dressed to take down or put up her hair, draw off her 

 boots and put them on again, and walk a mile or two witJi 

 them on, if required, without feeling any desire whatever to 



