THE BAKE AND THE BRIDLE. 147 



CHAPTER XYII. 



The Hunting Field (continued). 



On reading my previous observations on Fox-hunting, it may occur 

 to many ladies that in order to enjoy the sport, great nerve 

 and physical power, as well as a thorough knowledge of the 

 principles of equitation and long practice, are indispensable, and that 

 in default of either of the above qualifications they ought not to 

 venture into the field. This, however, would be an extreme view 

 of the case. It is quite true that to go straight to hounds and take 

 the country and the fences as they come it is necessary that a lady 

 should be in vigorous health, as well as a thoroughly accomplished 

 horsewoman. But, gTant the latter condition, those of even more 

 delicate constitutions, and consequently lacking the nerve and 

 strength to take a front-rank place and keep it, niay still participate 

 to a great extent in all the enjoyable and healthy excitement of the 

 chase, if they follow it out in a grass country), and put themselves 

 xmder the guidance of a man who knows that country well. 



It cannot be too generally known to those who are not strong 

 enough to sail away with the hounds over big fence or yawning brook 

 that one great advantage as regards hunting afforded by a grass 

 country is that a lady who is attended by a man well up at the 

 topography of the district can generally find her way through easilyi 

 opened bridle gates from point to point, from whence, throughout 

 the best part of even a long day. she can witness and enjoy the 

 sport, although she is not with the hounds ; and this without 

 pounding on the macadam and shaking her horse's legs ; for all our 

 Leicestershire roads are set, as it were, between borders of green ^ 

 velvet in the hunting season. All that is necessary to a most enjoy- 

 able day (if it is fine) is a horse that can get over the ground in 



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