132 THE BARB AND THE BRIDLE. 



dying person, as frequently happens, she will dress herself quickly 

 in rough habiliments suitable to it — maybe in tempestuous weather 

 — saddle and bridle a horse herself if her people are not quick 

 enough for her, and, provided with cordials, a prayer book, and a 

 long hunting crop, she will gallop off the nearest way to her desti- 

 nation, taking the fences, if they lie in the road, as they come ; 

 and one bright moonlight night I saw her do two or three places 

 that would stop half the men that ride to houiids hereabouts. This 

 lady, who may fairly and without exaggeration be called the 

 "ministering angel" of the district, does not, it is true, hunt now ; 

 but it was in riding to hounds that she acquired her wonderful 

 facility of getting over the country. 



The above is no sensational story. The lady, her brilliant riding,, 

 her true religion, and her charities, are well known, and can be 

 vouched for by hundreds of people in this part of the world. Who 

 shall say after this that hunting is unfeminine ? 



I have a word more to add, according to promise, as regards the 

 fitting of the circular bit. 



This bit, which can always be procured at Messrs. Davis's, 

 saddler, 14, Strand, is fitted in the horse's mouth above the mouth- 

 piece of a snaffle or Pelham bridle. It has a separate head- 

 stall, and is put on before the ordinary bridle. It requires no 

 reins, is secured by a standing martingale to a breastplate, and 

 is a certain remedy for horses flirting or rearing when too fresh 

 (which, however, I repeat, for a lady's riding should never be 

 allowed). 



The strap between the breastplate and the ring bit should be just 

 long enough to enable the horse to move freely forward, without 

 liberty enough to admit of his rearing. 



In the next chapter I will endeavour to describe what regular hunt- 

 ing for a lady means ; point out the readiest way of getting to our 

 most fashionable packs of hounds ; and how ladies residing even in the 

 metropolis may enjoy a day or two of good sport on this fine grass 

 country at the least necessary expense, may witness and enjoy 

 hunting in its perfection, and, if requisite, may breakfast in May- 

 fair or Belgravia, have a glorious gaDop over the Midland pastures,. 



