65 



The two gentlemen, Professor Clark and Mr. Kenfield, 

 to whom the Committee awarded premiums, it is unnecessa- 

 ry to add, are experienced and skillful horsemen. 



We think the members of the Society have reason to 

 rejoice that this commencement of female equestrianism 

 terminated so favorably, and we trust it will become a 

 permanent feature in our coming fairs. It is universally 

 conceded that riding on horseback is a commendable and 

 healthful exercise for ladies, and it remains but to culti- 

 vate a taste for it. 



Lablache, the celebrated basso, who had attempted to 

 teach Queen Victoria to sing, frequently lamented that, 

 from three slight causes, he had been unable to make her 

 anything of a vocalist ; — first, she had no voice ; next, 

 she had no ear ; and lastly, she had no application. These 

 might properly be regarded as three pretty serious obsta- 

 cles to one's becoming a proficient in music. Although 

 Victoria was not much of a musician, she early exhibited 

 a taste for equestrianism, and displayed an inclination for 

 other hardy exercises. Her excellent constitution and ro- 

 bust health are in no small degree due to this fact. A 

 writer remarks: "In the years which circled 1880, the 

 jolly drayman at the ale-house bar, or the rosy gardener 

 in his market-field, was wont to lay down his mug or lean 

 upon his spade, to look with proud and pleasant smiles 

 after a merry little Shetland pony, which was wont to 

 canter early every morning through the green lanes and 

 shady nooks of Kensington. This frisky Highlander car- 

 ried Victoria and her fortunes." After her accession to 

 the throne, and previous to her marriage, riding on horse- 

 back was the favorite exercise of the Queen. "In those 

 days her appearance in the park, surrounded by a gay 

 and glittering cavalcade of equestrians, was a brilliant 

 feature in the summer evenings of Rotten Row. On her 

 entrance to the park the Queen, who had acquired a 

 graceful and firm seat, ran along the avenue like a flash, and 

 with loyal courtesy cavaliers and carriages ranged them- 

 selves on either side," etc. 



