X PREFACE. 



recommend all my sporting friends to the opposite 

 practice ; for if they place the rein as the black 

 has got it, they will find they will derive one of 

 two great advantages by it. It will either throw 

 the nag into the ditch on the other side, or if he 

 escapes that catastrophe, it will give him on land- 

 ing such a chuck back, that the rider in either 

 case will have him caus^ht as safe as a hare in a 

 wire. Such practice might perhaps cause little 

 delays ; but if it does, it gives you the advantage 

 of seeing what all the field are doing before you, 

 — a treat that your first flight man cannot enjoy. 



The owner of the bay has doubtless been told 

 a throat-latch should never be put on tight. In 

 this I quite agree, though from what occurs to 

 his nag, it may appear that a throat-latch is in- 

 tended for a purpose of which he seems to be 

 unaware. 



The black, I doubt not, is held by the impaled 

 gentleman to be a very fine animal. I should, 

 however, opine that he must be a leetle slow. The 

 other is a common-looking animal, I grant ; still 

 there is a bare possibility he may be better than 

 he looks ; at all events I back him Moulsey Hurst 

 to a hen's egsc ao^ainst the black. But take them 

 all together, horse and foot, there can be little 

 doubt of their being quite '^ the wrong sort." 



H. H. 



