^ THE BAEB AND THE BRIDLE. 12S 



submit, to pronomice it any more so than riding in Rotten-row. 

 And finally, as regards danger, I propose to show how it can be 

 rendered all but impossible if due care and forethought are exercised 

 by the male friends or relatives of the hunting lady. Let us now, 

 therefore, having traced out the course of instruction in the riding 

 school, on the road, and in the park, consider how safety is best 

 ensured to the beginner. 



As regards the stamp of horse the fair debutante of the chase should 

 ride, I have already endeavoured to give my idea. I have only to 

 add that he should be very fit for his work, the pink of condition, 

 without being above himself ; and, finally, that no temptation as to 

 fine action or clever fencing should ever induce a lady to ride a 

 hunter that has a particle of vice about him. With the best of 

 piloting it is impossible always to keep her out of a crowd, where 

 she is in a woeful dilemma if mounted on a horse that kicks at 

 others. I have seen this more than once, and have heard expressions 

 from the suffering riders that must have been far from pleasing to 

 refined feminine ears. I must, however, record a special instance of 

 politeness under difficulties which I witnessed during the past season. 

 Hounds were running with a breast-high scent, the pace very fast, 

 when the leading division had their extended front diminished to 

 single file by a big bullfincher, practicable only in one place. Among 

 those waiting their turn to jump was a lady who always rides very 

 forward. She was mounted on a rare-shaped, blood-like animal, 

 that looked all over like seeing the end of a long day, but exhibited 

 considerable imjDatience at the check. In some cases, as all hunting 

 people know, the difficulty is always increased to those who are 

 compelled to wait by a ruck of riders crowding up from the rear. 

 The case I allude to was no exception to this rule, and among others 

 came a welter middle-aged gentleman, riding a horse quite up to his 

 weight — a grand hunting looking animal, that appeared intent upon 

 clearing every obstacle in his path, not excepting the unpatient ones 

 who were doing the gap in Indian file. The veteran, however, who 

 was a capital horseman, managed to pull up his too-eager steed just 

 in rear of the lady's horse, and was forthwith accommodated with a 

 most vicious kick with his near hind leg. Fortunately, the distance 



