INTRODUCTION. 21 



with them, "the pisana, or country lady," we are' told, 

 " is often seen mounted before her cavaliero; who, 

 seated behind his fair one, supports her with his arm 

 thrown around her waist." Our illustrative sketch of 

 this custom (in the preceding page) is taken from a 

 beautiful model, — the work of a native Mexican artist. 



Having, now, offered our fair readers a slight and 

 unpretending historical sketch of female equestrianism, 

 we shall proceed, after a few preliminary remarks, to 

 the practical details of the art. 



Its various advantages, inducements, and attrac- 

 tions, as an exercise, have, already, been noticed. 

 Much, however, as we wish to interest our fair country- 

 women, in its favour, it is proper, on our part, to 

 tell them, frankly, that equestrianism is far from 

 being an intuitive art: — there is no "royal road" to it. 

 To be enjoyed and appreciated, it must be learnt. That 

 ease and elegance, — that comparative safety in the 

 side-saddle, of which we have spoken, — it is impossible 

 to achieve, without considerable practice, based upon 

 proper principles. Many young ladies, however, feel 

 a delicate repugnance to passing through the ordeal of 

 a riding-school ; some, again, do not reside in situations, 

 where the benefit of a teacher's directions can be pro- 

 cured ; while others, erroneously flatter themselves, 

 that they are in possession of every needfiil acquire- 

 ment, as regards equestrianism, when they have dis- 

 covered how to retain a seat on the saddle, and guide 



