THE HORSE. 237 



of a run of some length, until the hounds were whip- 

 ped off; after which, even, they followed the stag 

 till they got up to his haunches, and then chased 

 him three miles on the hio;h road, when the stao- 

 taking a high fence, left them snorting on the wrong 

 side, to be secured by those in quest of them. 



SECTION XXXV. 



Riding in the field, requires very few peculiar in- 

 structions : the most essential that I have to give 

 after a tyro shall have acquired a good seat on horse- 

 back, and enabled himself to sit firmly and with 

 presence of mind and circumspection upon his horse 

 in a jump, and without shutting his eyes in passing 

 a fence, to which habit an old friend of mine was 

 accustomed, is to select the steadiest and best reputed 

 rider in the field, and to follow his course in all res- 

 pects, as nearly as a fresh man shall be able so to do. 

 The hunting seat on horseback partakes of both those 

 of the road and the turf, having little or nothing 

 peculiar, a long gallop or a canter in the field, requir- 

 ing the same form as on the road ; perhaps the late 

 Sam Chifney's seat, who rested more on his haunches, 

 than was the general custom with jockeys, may be the 

 most easy and convenient for the field. Some sports- 

 men ride a hole longer in the field than 6n the road ; 

 others ride with their feet as if slipping through the 

 stirrups, their toes thrust point blank towards the 

 earth, and to enhance the joke, choose to beportraited 

 in such style. As to jumping, initiatory practice may 

 be had at the bar, at school, or at any fences which 



