232 THE MASTER OF HOUNDS 



LADIES IN THE HUNTING-FIELD. 



The consideration of the advantages derived by 

 the general pubHc from ladies in the hunting-field 

 appears to be an almost academic question — like 

 motor-cars, they have come to stay — and there are 

 many kinds of ladies with a diversity of gifts. 



Personally I quite approve of them. The doughty 

 deeds they now inspire may be prosaic, but at least 

 they give practice in detaining heavy or in forcing 

 open reluctant gates. Squeezing through after them 

 also develops a certain agility ; a bang on the knee 

 being often the only guerdon of self-sacrificing 

 chivalry. 



On the other hand, it is only fair to say that beauty 

 in distress is a much rarer object than in former days. 

 Horses are better bitted, women ride better, and the 

 prompt rectifications of the curb chain, so favourable 

 to the hero of the Early Victorian novel, have practi- 

 cally ceased. 



Thanks especially to Mr. Mayhew, of Seymour Street, 

 there has been a great improvement in side-saddles. 

 The formidable engines of five-and-twenty years ago 

 have disappeared. The sore-back question is all but 

 solved, and the lover dares now give his lady-love a 

 mount. This means that horses are comfortable, and 

 consequently carry their fair riders in an equable frame 

 of mind. A horse uncomfortably saddled cannot be at 

 his best ; he becomes either fractious or dull. Better- 



