SUGGESTIONS FOR THE ROAD. 65 



fore mounting, unless they are allowed time to eat 

 them. If a horse has a piece of sugar or apple in his 

 mouth, the bit will be worse than useless ; it will 

 irritate him, as he can not open his mouth without 

 dropping the delicacy, and he can not swallow it if 

 he gives his head properly. 



I have noticed that most gentlemen riding with 

 ladies place themselves on the right side ; but this 

 seems to me a mistake, where the rule of the road is 

 to pass to the right, because it is the lady who pro- 

 tects her companion, and not he who shields her. 

 Besides, he takes the place where his horse is most 

 likely to be quiet, as no one has the right to pass 

 inside him. Still further, should the lady's horse 

 become frightened, he will be seriously embarrassed 

 on the right side, with the reins in his left hand; 

 and, if she should fall, what can he do.** He can 

 only transfer his reins to the right hand, and en- 

 deavor to push her into her saddle with his left; 

 and, if they are going fast, this will not be easy. 



I may say here, that in ninety-five cases out of 

 a hundred the lady falls to the right. If the gentle- 

 man is riding on her left, he gives up to her the best 

 place, and protects her legs ; she can use her whip 

 more freely; he has the use of his right hand to 

 stop or quiet her horse ; he can arrange her skirt, 

 should she need his help ; if she falls, he has but to 

 seize her left arm, and draw her toward him, cal- 

 culating the strength which he employs, and he rnay 

 even lift her from the saddle. 

 6 



