24 UNASKED ADVICE. 



The right leg being put over the pummel, her foot is 

 placed in the stirrup. She stands up in her stirrup for a 

 moment, and during this space of time her habit- skirt is 

 drawn smoothly under her to the near side ; she receives 

 her whip, adjusts her reins, and all is right. 



The matter is not always so successfully managed. If 

 the lady^s spring and the gentleman^s assistance are not 

 quite simultaneous, the lady only gets half way to her 

 saddle ; or if she arrives at the desired eminence it is 

 with an unseemly scramble, and most likely with one 

 foot kicking helplessly in the air behind her, which gives 

 an effect at once ludicrous and painful, sometimes even 

 involving a sprained knee. It is of the first importance 

 that the horse should stand still, but most of them 

 will do that much after a time or two, especially if the 

 groom stands in front of the horse with a rein in each 

 hand. 



It is always very convenient for a lady to be able to 

 mount by herself, but wonderfully few can do it. It is 

 neither difficult nor ungraceful, so why the doing it should 

 be so rare an accomplishment is a mystery that remains 

 to be fathomed — by me at least. For a lady to mount 

 by herself on a tall horse, the stirrup should be let down 

 as low as is convenient for the foot to be placed in it, and 

 the performer gets up as independently as a man does, 

 with one hand, of course, on the cantle of the saddle. 

 When up, it is now as well, if not a necessity, to take the 

 foot out of the stirrup to put the right leg over the 

 pummel. Then, if she chooses to be very independent, 

 she may herself shorten the stirrup to its accustomed 

 length by means of the strap which goes round the horse 

 for that purpose, and there she is. 



Her position should be sitting well down on her saddle^ 



