Introduction. 



a false theory, are of course wholly out of 

 the question. The modern English manuals, 

 though far more rational and correct, have all 

 one great deficiency. They are invariably 

 written by men who have evidently been 

 practised horsemen from their childhood. 

 How can such a man realize the difficulties 

 of a novice ? He tells us what we ought to 

 do ; but if we were to suggest that we cannot 

 do it, he would listen as if we were complain- 

 ing that we cannot help stammering or squint- 

 ing. It is very singular and very unfortunate ; 

 he cannot account for it; he has been per- 

 forming these manoeuvres all his life, and 

 never found them puzzling or difficult. 



Now I am well aware that most of these 

 gentlemen know much more of good riding 

 than I do, but I flatter myself that I know 

 more of bad riding than they do. Circum- 

 stances induced me, when in the prime of 

 life, to take pains enough to become a fair 

 mechanical horseman; and the difficulties of 

 the achievement are therefore fresh and vivid 

 in my memory. The method which I have 



