LETTER XXVI. 287 



clip him tight with legs and knees, and over you go. 

 Mind your own business, and do not be looking back to 

 see how Jack Rasper or Tom Rattler got over or through, 

 that's their affair; keep your eye upon the hounds ; do 

 not ride in upon their line, as if you are going to ride 

 their tails off, but keep rather wide of them, giving them 

 room to turn. When their cry ceases, pull up at once, 

 and whichever way they incline, turn your horse in the 

 same direction, and let them pass you. Your own pace 

 must be always regulated by that of the hounds, and do 

 not be in a fright, as some men are, that they will run 

 away from you. That will not often occur, if you are 

 well mounted, and keep your eyes open, as well as your 

 wits about you. 



When the hounds are at fault, keep silence, and do 

 not be boasting with Jack and Tom how splendidly your 

 horse has carried you — keep all this for your ride home, 

 or until you meet at dinner. Should you meet with 

 stone walls, never ride at the lowest place, as the chances 

 are all in favour of your landing in a stone quarry on the 

 other side. Gates require more exertion on the part of 

 your horse than common fences, and a fall over them is 

 often a serious one. At brooks you must go pretty fast, 

 to clear them cleverly. A military seat on horseback is 

 no doubt the most elegant, but I do not by any means 

 think it the most secure. Those who ride by balance 

 chiefly will find it quite as much as they can do to keep 

 their seat, should their horse suddenly swerve at a rasper, 

 in which case they will most probably find themselves on 

 their backs. 



I remember seeing a military man, who rode by ba- 

 lance alone, have three tremendous falls at one fence. 



