2*12 THE SO-CALLED "INCAPACITATING VICES." 



old friends, who had changed their residence since he had left the coun- 

 try, being then located at Richmond. The party had ridden to London ; 

 the military gentleman was pressed to return, and to spend a pleasant 

 day at the suburban villa. A servant was dispatched to hire a horse ; 

 the man soon returned with a rather small, but very showy,, black nag. 



NEVER MOUNT A STRANQE HORSE IN A CROWDED LOCAUTT. 



The officer thought, before the concert was ended, he would retire and 

 form the acquaintance of an animal he was shortly to ride for several 

 miles. It was well he did so ; for no sooner was his foot placed in the 

 stirrup, than what previously appeared to be a remarkably steady quad- 

 ruped began to "lash out." The action was continued, creating terrible 

 confusion among the crowd which thronged the street, and ultimately 

 throwing the would-be rider. The military gentleman was probably 

 more hurt in feelings than in person by the incident ; although the latter 

 circumstance formed an excuse for not journeying to Richmond, and the 

 occurrence, on the following morning, was circulated throughout London 

 as a newspaper paragraph, bearing a heading of " Serious Accident to 

 A Cavalry Officer." 



Violent, however, as may be the resistance provoked while the foot is 

 in the stirrup, the seat of the saddle is no sooner attained than compo- 

 sure is restored. When the rider is once fairly on the back, the steed 

 assumes its natural timidity, its docility, and its obedience. It is then 

 transformed into all the most fastidious proprietor could desire. That 

 circumstance has induced some horsemen who were more thoughtful 

 than the generality of the race, to change the habit usual in this coun- 



