ROAD RIDING. 47 



If the lady be light, and dexterous, she may 

 dismount without assistance. 



The lady when preparing to dismount, should 

 take the reins in her right hand, and put the 

 whip in her left. The reins should be held suffi- 

 ciently tight, to restrain the horse from advanc- 

 ing ; and yet not so firmly, as to cause him to 

 back, rear, or swerve. 



The lady should next disengage her right leg 

 from the pommel clearing her dress as she raises 

 her knee ; place her right hand on the near crutch, 

 and take her foot out of the stirrup. 



If the lady be assisted, the gentleman taking 

 her left hand in his left, places his right hand un- 

 der her left elbow, which she keeps firm to her 

 side ; as she springs, he supports her in her de- 

 scent, she retains hold of the crutch or of the 

 hunting pommel ; as she quits the saddle, she turns 

 to face the gentleman, who stands near the horse's 

 shoulder, and alights on the ground on "the balls 

 of her feet. 



If the lady dismount without assistance, after 

 clearing her foot from the stirrup, she places her 

 right hand on the near crutch, and her left upon 

 the third crutch or hunting pommel, she must 

 spring clear from the saddle facing towards the 

 horse's side as she descends. By whatever mode 

 the lady dismount, she should, to prevent an un- 



