222 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



panled by dry toast or biscuit, and partake of very little 

 liquid. Fill your flask with cold tea : it is more invi- 

 gorating than either brandy or wine ; and provide a small 

 sandwich, or a biscuit or two, to put in the pocket of 

 your saddle. This will be provision enough for the com- 

 missariat department. 



If you have the luxury of riding a good hack to covert, 

 and that the distance is not very far — say, from five to 

 eight miles — you will be certain to enjoy it, and it will 

 put you in fettle for the more serious business of the 

 day. This again, like the bath, means if you are strong 

 and hardy : in short, inured to long rides, and not by any 

 means easily fatigued. If it be not so with you, it will be 

 better to make arrangements to go by rail, or drive. 



Some ladies ride their hunters quite long distances to 

 meets, but as a rule they are not among the straight-going 

 sort, being satisfied with seeing the first draw and the 

 burst away over a good line of country, where the two or 

 three preliminary fences are not such as to occasion many 

 serious mishaps. I do not think that any lady who rides 

 even moderately straight ought to hack her hunter for a 

 longer distance than five or six miles of a good fair road, 

 and the best way to take him will be at a brisk walk, 

 alternated pretty frequently with a steady jog-trot, or a hand- 

 gallop on the grass at the side. I do not at all object to a 

 hunter being allowed to drink a little water before starting 

 on his journey, although I know that very many disagree 

 with me on the point ; nor do I object to his having a few 

 mouthfuls in the intervals of hunting ; it will refresh 



