4 WINTER SKETCHES. 



that such persons invariably carry a Malacca 

 joint with a rectangular ivory or steel handle, a 

 loop at the other end of the stick ? Ask them 

 the use of it and they will tell you that it is 

 the fashion. 



Really it is useful to country gentlemen 

 of England, who, riding where lanes and gates 

 abound, are enabled without dismounting, to 

 catch the gate latch, and to close the gate 

 after them with the handle. They also put a 

 lash into the loop when hunting, but the thing 

 is a useless encumbrance here. 



The English saddle is not well adapted to 

 long journeys. It often galls the horse's back, 

 which the unstuffed Mexican or McClellan 

 never does, if properly put on far enough 

 aft and with a blanket underneath. 



Especially is this true in regard to a lady's 

 saddle. If a horse could speak he would tell 

 you which he likes best. I wish that Balaam's 

 ass when he was in a conversational mood, had 

 said something definite on the subject of sad- 

 dles. Be kind, while you are firm with your 

 horse. Don't carry a whip — he will see it and 

 suspect you. Wear light spurs, which are good 

 persuapives and which he will think have 



