284 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER 



six falls in two years, and behaved just like the Three 

 per Cents when they fall. I got up again, and am 

 not a bit the worse for it, any more than the stock in 

 question. ... I leffc off riding for the good of my 

 parish and the peace of my family ; for somehow or 

 other my horse and I had a habit of parting com- 

 pany. On one occasion I found myself suddenly pros- 

 trate in the streets of York, much to the delight of 

 the dissenters. Another time my horse, " Calamity," 

 flung me over his head into a neighbouring parish, and 

 I felt grateful it was not into a neighbouring planet ; 

 but as no harm came of it, I might have persevered, 

 perhaps, if, on a certain day, a quaker tailor from a 

 neighbouring village to which I had said I was going 

 to ride, had not taken it into his head to call, soon 

 after my departure, and requested to see Mrs. Sydney. 

 She, instantly conceiving I was thrown, if not killed, 

 rushed down to the man, exclaiming, " Where is he ? 

 Where is your master is he hurt ? " The astonished 

 anl quaking snip stood silent from surprise. Still 

 more agitated by his silence, she exclaimed, " Is he 

 hurt ? I insist upon knowing the worst ! " " Why, 

 please, ma'am, it is only thy little bill, a very small 

 account, I wanted thee to settle," replied he in much 

 surprise. 



c After this, you may suppose, I sold my horse > 

 however, it is some comfort to know that my friend, 

 Sir George, is one fall ahead of me, and is certainly 

 a worse rider. It is a great proof, too, of the 



