108 HORSEMANSHIP FOR WOMEN. 



ings, and the selfish horse, like the selfish man, unless 

 he is prevented, will imperceptibly crowd his patient 

 companion into the ruts, when the rider will get the 

 credit or discredit of the action. Another too common 

 piece of thoughtlessness is the splashing at full speed 

 through mud puddles, the result of which is naturally 

 more apparent to one's neighbors than to one's self. If 

 to an equestrian, however, being splashed or spattered 

 is annoying, to a pedestrian it is nothing less than exas- 

 perating, and such a one will look after the person 

 guilty of the rudeness with eyes of anything but admi- 

 ration. One cannot be too careful, indeed, when riding 

 near pedestrians, as they are decidedly susceptible under 

 such circumstances, and likely to take offence ; and es- 

 pecially is caution required where women and children 

 are concerned, for it is impossible to conjecture what 

 they will do if suddenly startled by the rapid approach 

 of horses. The writer saw, one afternoon, a nursery- 

 maid crossing Rotten Row with a baby-carriage (An- 

 glice, perambulator), and two children holding to her 

 skirts. When half-way over, a lady and three gentle- 

 men came galloping down, followed by two grooms. 

 The children scattered, the riders could not pull up, and 

 for an instant it seemed as if the little party were 

 doomed to destruction, as the horses appeared to pass 

 right over some of them. The English rule, not only 

 for country riding, but for the Park or other public 

 places (and an excellent one it is), requires a gentleman 



