RULES OF THE ROAD. 35 



Adams, a teacher of equitation, and the author of a 

 work on the subject, remarks, that the only inducements 

 for a gentleman to ride on the left of a lady, would be, 

 that, by having his right hand towards her^ in case of 

 her needing assistance, he might, the more readily and 

 efficiently, be enabled to afford it, than if he were on 

 the opposite side ; and, should any disarrangement occur 

 in the skirt of her habit, he might screen it until reme- 

 died. On the other hand, our author observes, with 

 great good sense, though in terms somewhat homely, — 

 addressing, it is to be noticed, his remarks to gentle- 

 men, — " the inconvenience of riding on the left of the 

 lady, is, that if you ride near, to give her any assistance, 

 you are liable to rub, or incommode, the lady's legs, 

 and alarm her ; and the spur is hable to catch, or tear, 

 the lady's habit : if the roads are dirty, your horse, 

 likewise, bespatters the lady's habit. On the right 

 hand of the lady, these inconveniences do not occur, if 

 you ride ever so close ; and you are situated next the 

 carriages, and the various objects you meet, which, in 

 narrow roads, or, passing near, might intimidate a lady. 

 For these reasons, I think it most proper to take the 

 right hand of a lady." 



