214 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER 



riding. They at all events know how to stick to 

 their saddles, how to fall off when necessary, and 

 how to guide and humour a high-spirited horse in 

 the midst of a crowd. As an instance of what de- 

 termined hunting-men can do the following anecdote 

 is related : 



6 When in the year 1815 Blucher arrived in 

 London and drove at once to Carl ton House, I was 

 one of a few out of an immense concourse of horse- 

 men who accompanied his carriage from Shooter's 

 Hill, riding on each side. Spite of all obstacles we 

 forced our way through the Horse Guards gates and 

 the troop of guardsmen ; in like manner through the 

 light cavalry and the gate at Carlton House, as well 

 as the posse of constables in the courtyard, and 

 drove our horses up the flight of stone steps into 

 the saloon, though the guards, beef-eaters and con- 

 stables arrayed themselves against the irruption of 

 Cossacks, and actually came to the charge. The 

 Prince, however, in the noblest manner waved his 

 hand, and we were allowed to form a circle round 

 the Eegent while Blucher had the blue ribbon placed 

 on his shoulders and was assisted to rise by the 

 Prince in the most dignified manner. His Eoyal 

 Highness then slightly acknowledged our presence, 

 we backed to the door and got down the steps again 

 with only one accident, that arising from a horse, 

 which, on being urged forward, took a leap down 

 the whole flight of stairs.' 



