SEATS. 75 



To return from this digression, and at the same time 

 bring our investigation of the general conditions on 

 which a safe seat depends to a conclusion, let us recall 

 to mind the final result of Chapter II. as it affects 

 the seat. Whatever the form of this may be in a 

 state of rest, from the moment action ensues the lever 

 power transmitted through the hind and fore legs 

 respectively will constantly tend to disturb the rider's 

 seat more or less everywhere, but least of all when this 

 is exactly over the perpendicular line passing through 

 the centre of motion (the line E F, Fig. 4) ; whereas 

 it will be most felt by the rider the more his seat is 

 placed away from this line, especially in rear of it. 



Here are two scraps of newspaper correspondence : 

 " He never seemed to move in his saddle from the 

 starting-post till he had won the race ; " and again 

 " They still ride as if they formed part and parcel of 

 their horses ; it is the old Centaur-like form." 



English gentlemen like to ride with ease, and will 

 have probably no objection to grace. The former pre- 

 cludes the idea of all visible muscular exertion, and 

 presupposes a feeling of security ; the latter is equally 

 incompatible with slovenliness, affectation, or stiffness ; 

 moreover, steadiness of the hand depends on solidity 

 of the seat, and this, as we have seen, depends to a 

 great extent on the not being exposed to conflicting 

 movements derived from the horse. 



The Jockey's Saddle and Seat. English jockey- 

 riding is universally acknowledged to be perfection ; it 

 is, in fact, a specialty in which the English character 

 is strongly reflected ; for although its mere mechanism 

 may be easily imitated, the cool judgment, energy, 



