124 THE BAEB AND THE BRIDLE. 



was too great to admit of the stout gentleman receiving the full 

 benefit of the intended favour, which nevertheless made his boot-top 

 rattle, and materially altered the genial expression of his rubicund 

 visage. Turning gracefully in her saddle, the fair votary of the 

 chase expressed her deep regret at the bad behaviour of her horse. 

 "I am very sorry — awfully sorry ; 1 hope you are not hurt," she 

 said, in a tone which ought to have consoled any middle-aged 

 sportsman for a broken shin. " I never knew him to do it before," 

 continued the lady. " Pray don't say a word, JSIiss," replied the old 

 gentleman, taking off his hat with a genuine thoroughbred air; 

 "don't say a word; they are only dangerous when they do it 

 behind." Whether they do it "behind" or "before," kick in a 

 crowd at other horses, or hit at hounds with their fore feet (as some 

 thoroughbreds will do when excited), they are equally disqualified 

 for ladies' hunters, however gaily they may sail over the turf or clear 

 the obstacles in their way. 



To proceed with our lessons. Before venturing to take our 

 aspirant for the honours of the chase to a regular meet of foxhounds 

 — where she is apt to become excited, and possibly unnerved by the 

 imposing array of "pink," gallant horsemen, and aristocratic ladies 

 riding steeds of fabulous price, dashing equipages, and thrusting foot 

 people, always ready to embarrass a beginner — it is best to seek out 

 a quiet line nearly all arable land, where the fences will be small, 

 where there are few ditches to be met with, and where the going on 

 the stubble or fallow will be good enough when the crops are off the 

 ground. The pupil should wear a "hunting skirt" properly so 

 called — that is, one not too redundant, made of strong cloth, and 

 booted with leather about eight or ten inches wide round the bottom. 

 This is a very necessary precaution, because it prevents the skirt 

 from hanging up in the fences and getting torn. Hunting boots 

 also should be worn, back-strapped, tongued in at the foot, and 

 reaching nearly to the knee, the upper part made of thick but very 

 flexible leather — buckskin is the best. It is soft, and at the same 

 time thick enough to save the leg from a blow from a strong binder, 

 which occasionally hits very hard in its rebound, having been pre- 

 viously bent forward by somebody who has just jumped the fence. 



