THE HORSE. 181 



SECTION XXVIIL— Female Equitation. 



It seems that either Queen Anne, wife of Richard 

 the Second, or our virgin Queen Elizabeth, first in- 

 troduced the present fashion of the lady's seat on 

 horseback, which had previously been similar to 

 that of the gentleman ; and probably this last form 

 may be yet retained by the women on some parts 

 of the Continent. The last that I have heard or 

 known of it was in my very early days, whilst re- 

 siding in Suffolk. Two young ladies of family, then 

 lately from the Continent, resident not many miles 

 from Ipswich, were in the constant habit of riding 

 about the country, in their smart doeskins, great 

 coats, and flapped beaver hats ; but those ladies ven- 

 tured upon a still more curious mode of high-bred 

 singularity. Being at the Ipswich theatre one even- 

 ing, and sitting on the stage, as was then the custom, 

 and the commencement of the play being unexpectedly 

 delayed, they opened their work-bags ^nd began 

 knotting ! The hissing and groaning of the sailors 

 from the galleries, however, and the general disap- 

 probation of the house, did not give them encourage- 

 ment to proceed. I was not present, but had the 

 account from one who was ; indeed, of course, it 

 became town talk, and a rare topic of newspaper 

 criticism. 



Assuredly, the male seat on horseback is the most 

 secure, and in an especial manner, for ladies who 

 venture into the field ; although our huntresses, so 



