124 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



as it still is on the road, to secure the saddle by two 

 narrow girths, each buckled on either side to one strap. 

 This arrangement has lately been superseded by what 

 are called Fitzwilliam girths, composed of one of double 

 breadth with two buckles at each end, and of a narrow 

 one encircling and secured to the broad one by two 

 loops, through which it passes. 



By this admirable alteration perfect safety is obtained ; 

 for, as the broad girth is secured to four straps, if, say 

 one on each side burst at a leap, the other two remain 

 efficient ; and even if all break, those of the narrow 

 girth retain the broad one in its place; while, on the 

 other hand, if the straps of the broad girth hold, the 

 narrow one is prevented by the loops above described 

 from dangling, in case either of its two buckles should 

 give way. 



Whereas, by the old arrangement, if out of four straps 

 any one burst at a leap, its girth instantly dangled, 

 leaving the safety, and possibly the life of the rider, to 

 depend on only two straps, by the rupture of either one 

 of which he would suddenly, without his knowledge, be 

 riding, possibly at a large fence, without any girths 

 at all. 



But, although hunting men have gained a step or 

 stride by this new fashioned girth, they have lately, as 

 if to balance the account, retrograded to the wisdom of 



