Wj/at is Ridiculous? 



139 



on " grace " as an important consideration in the equestrian art ; but, as a matter of fact, 

 the principles that secure elegance in a graceful figure are also those that ensure safety. 



There are many charming women to whom, in the direction of elegance, Nature has not 

 been bountiful — " dumpy " — or large, stout figures, to whom horse exercise is not only a 

 pleasure, but a necessity of health. These, if they " know themselves," will not deny them- 

 selves the pleasures of horse exercise, but will be content to avoid conspicuous display in 

 dress, in the colour or the action of 



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their steed, or in attempts " to witch 

 the world with noble horsemanship." 



A lady should no more be de- 

 terred from riding, if that is her 

 inclination, because she is not of the 

 ' tall and slight figure which alone is 

 perfection on horseback, than from 

 walking or dancing because she has 

 a large foot or a thick ankle. 



What is truly ridiculous is a 

 lady riding boldly in an awkward 

 way, with crooked, confident seat, 

 or riding in evident terror, her eyes 

 constantly fixed, not on her horse's 

 ears, but on her attendant horseman ; 

 because she has never had the 

 patience, the humility, or the com- 

 mon sense, to engage a proper in- 

 structor, and attend to her or his 

 instructions. 



If a lady, young or middle- 

 aged, cannot trust herself on horse- 

 back without a groom alongside her, 

 there must be some great fault in 

 her nervous constitution, her eques- 

 trian education, or in the character 

 of her horse. In either case she 

 ought to seek some retired place for 

 her consX.\twi\on3.\ promenades a cheval, 

 and not display her incompetent 



timidity at fashionable hours in fashionable resorts, when an old coachman close to his lady's 

 bridle-rein looks absurd, and a young handsome groom often scandalous. 



For all these reasons, ladies who mean to ride should leave whips and reins alone until 

 they have acquired a firm square seat at a walk, a slow canter, and a slow trot. To acquire 

 this seat it is absolutely necessary that they should place themselves under the tuition of 

 some one able and willing to cure them of their faults. 



The accomplishments of an ainazone cannot be learned in a day, a week, or a month ; 

 although a strong, courageous girl may learn in a few Ivr.ir.; how to stick on and look 

 ridiculous. 



CIRCUS PRACTISING DRtSS. 



