MODE OF RIDING AT TIMBER. 53 



loosened, to be drawn up and tightened only as lie 

 descends. With the single exception we shall soon 

 notice, this principle of self-management applies to jumps 

 of all sorts and sizes ; for although, by a firm management 

 of his bridle, a hunter ought to be made to feel as he 

 approaches a fence that it is utterly impossible for him 

 to swerve from it, yet the instant he is on the brink of 

 taking it, his reins, as if by paralysis, should suddenly 

 cease to afford him the smallest help, or to interfere 

 with the mode in wliich (with only half a second to 

 think) he may determine to deal with it. If he expects 

 assistance, it may arrive a little sooner or a little later 

 than his patience or impatience approves of, and thus 

 between two stools (his own will and that of his rider) 

 both come to the ground; whereas, if he knows that 

 he has nothing to rely on but himself, he rises at his 

 timber in the best and safest possible manner — namely, 

 in his own way. 



If we should have succeeded in satisfying our readers 

 that they cannot ride too slowly at timber, we trust 

 they will pardon us if we now endeavour to enforce upon 

 them as an equally immutable axiom, that it is impossi- 

 ble for them to ride too fast at water. 



