2IO RIDING FOR LADIES. 



it. Everybody iikes " something to look at," but there is 

 more than this to be desired in many respects. I remember 

 either reading somewhere, or hearing somebody say, that a 

 hunter that combined high courage with so fine a temper 

 that he would stand while his owner opened gates or re- 

 mounted him after a fall— one that liked his trade, cried 

 '' Ha, ha ! " at the sound of the huntsman's horn, went 

 generously at his fences as if he relished them, picked his 

 places sensibly, had a good constitution, drank his gruel 

 freely after the day's work was over, would stand two 

 ordinary days a week, and three good ones along with 

 them in the course of a fortnight — was a treasure, even 

 though he might have an ugly head, a ridiculous tail, an 

 unfashionable colour, corns at times, and many skin-deep 

 blemishes. In addition to all this, I may add that if he is 

 a fairly good hack, and can trot or jog his ten or twelve 

 miles home to his stable after a hardish day, he is simply 

 an invaluable acquisition, especially to those who love sport, 

 yet have not the good fortune to possess a sporting income. 

 It is rarely, however, that one 'is lucky enough to meet 

 with so entirely desirable an animal, and when found he 

 certainly ought to be prized. 



The essential points for a hunter are these : a good consti- 

 tution, so that he may bear hardships and hard knocks ; 

 good powers of endurance, to enable him to stand long 

 and tiresome days, and frequently to travel lengthy dis- 

 tances homewards ; good shoulders, and strong healthy 

 le^>-s and feet. Further good points are, a back powerful 

 enough to bear any weight that he is meant to carry ; hind 



