130 THE BARB AND THE BIJIDLE. 



latch if possible against the hasp, and then changing hands with the 

 crop and reins as before mentioned. If this is not done, and the 

 rider attempts to lift the latch with her left hand, she must change 

 the direction of her horse's head when the gate is open, at the great 

 risk of bringing it on his quarters. 



These directions, like others I have ventured upon, may appear too 

 minute ; but it should be remembered that, whereas, carefully- 

 followed out, a lady on a steady horse accustomed to gates can 

 open them with safety, any carelessness may result in a bad accident, 

 because the steadiest horse, if "hung up" in a gate, will become 

 furious if he cannot instantly get clear of it. When, therefore, the 

 pupil is well practiced at this sort of work, and has learned to feel 

 her way in cramped places as well as to do her fences at a steady canter, 

 a fair half-speed gallop may be ventured on, the pupil setting her 

 horse going, and pressing him if necessary with the spur, to take 

 his fences in his stride, the spur being used, however, some distance 

 from the fence. The master should ride beside his pupil in this 

 lesson, carefully watching the pace of the horse and the action of the 

 rider. A nice easy line of about a couple of miles should be taken, 

 and the pace maintained throughout. A month of this kind of 

 practice will form a capital introductory step to hunting : and when, 

 in the mild misty mornings of russet-brown October, foxhounds begin 

 to beat up the quarters of the vulpine juveniles, abjuring her "beauty 

 sleep," the lady may with advantage, before the " early village cock 

 proclaims the dawn," don her hunting habiliments, and, under the 

 careful tutelage of her "pilot," trot off to covert and see the 

 " beauties " knock the cubs about. 



This is by far the best way to begin hunting in reality. There 

 are very few people about at that early hour, and those only who 

 are thorough enthusiasts about the sport ; consequently there is 

 more time for the new votary of Diana to get accustomed to the 

 alteration in her horse's form of demeaning himself. For be it known 

 to the uninitiated that even an old horse, that requires kicking and 

 hammering along a road when ridden alone, is quite a different 

 animal and mover the instant he sees the hounds, and will show 

 an amomit of vivacity perhaps very little expected by his rider ; 



