I§2 



saddle and substitute the present riding-habit by 

 "divided skirts" — a kidicrous garment, promising 

 to be an absurd something midway between the 

 ordinary habit and pantalets, or, perhaps, a fantastic 

 combination of both — either of which is sufficiently 

 appropriate for its description. But, although the 

 nineteenth century was characterised by great in- 

 novations, it was scarcely sufficiently adoptive to 

 pronounce its approval of this not very aesthetic idea ; 

 and these ladies who are most eloquent in their 

 appeals for reformation had better betake themselves 

 to think out a more " rational " method to meet the 

 requirements of their case than this supremely 

 quixotic notion. 



THE DIFFERENCE OF RIDING-HABITS AND HATS. 



There is nothing smarter than the ordinary modern 

 riding-habit with its latest improvements when it is 

 well cut and perfectly fitted, with the skirt falling 

 gracefully away from the waist and reaching below the 

 ankle, leaving only the heel of the boot exposed. 

 With regard to the plea of safety and comfort sug- 

 gested in the alteration of position in the saddle, it is 

 probably not generally known that the seat of a lady 

 on horseback is far more secure than most people 

 imagine ; and, in reference to the question of health, 

 medical opinion, as it generally is on nice points, is 

 pretty equally divided. The long, ungainly skirt 

 which was worn in the past was both inconvenient and 

 dangerous. Its lower portion was generally all soiled 



