SADDLERY AND HARNESS. 



515 



employed with the stirrup represented in the previous engraving, it as- 

 suredly affords an almost certain immunity from those accidents which 

 each is assumed to render an impossibility. 



PATENT SAFETY SPBINQ PRESSURE STIRRUP BAR. DEPICTED AT BEST AND IN ACTION. 



The dotted lines indicate the relative positions of the stirrup leather. 



No lady's saddle should be used without being accompanied by the 

 hunting breast-plate ; for nothing which might possibly increase security 

 should in that case be neglected. For the last reason, also, a felt under- 

 pannel should never be absent ; because firmness of seat lends assurance 

 to the rider, and because the provision prevents that unsteadiness 

 which is known to provoke one of the worst evils to which the horse is 

 exposed. 



Saddles are covered by what the public denominate pigs' skins, but 

 which the trade, aiming at a distinction without being able to indicate a 

 difference, persist in calling hogs' skins. 



These are always procured from the currier in large lots when pur- 

 chased at first hand ; but they are a hazardous article to buy. Out of 

 two hundred, of which a parcel shall consist, there may not be more than 

 two dozen really sound skins ; therefore no tradesman has hitherto been 

 able to establish a reputation for dealing in so uncertain a commodity. 

 The wholesale merchant, consequently, knows but few customers Estab- 

 lished houses alone can afford the requisite outlay to obtain goods of so 

 notoriously uncertain a character. From the larger parcels the best 

 specimens are carefully selected by the first buyer; the remainder are 

 cast upon the retail market, and are distributed among the numerous 

 class of trades-people, whose limited capital does not allow them to 

 speculate with the articles which they employ. 



A good saddle is recognized by the accuracy of the fit. When let fall 

 upon the back, it at once finds the proper situation. There it remains 

 stationary and firm before a girth is fastened. When the maker, having 

 brought home a new article, finds occasion to interfere vi ith the jiroom, 



