170 COKEESSIONS OF A HOUSE DEALEB. 



I was only making an exhibition of my incapacity. A 

 bad figure looks bad indeed on horseback, as the habit 

 is not calculated to conceal it. There are many ladies, 

 though, who look very awkward on foot, who shine on 

 horseback ; and, on the contrary, there are many who 

 are faultless in figure when walking, who look crooked 

 and deformed on horseback ; this having been brought 

 about by their self-taught style of riding, or imperfect 

 instruction. No lady would think of dancing at a 

 public ball unless she had taken instruction in danc- 

 ing ; yet there are hundreds of ladies who ride (and 

 make exhibitions of themselves) in Rotten-row, before 

 they even know how to handle their reins or keep their 

 bodies steady in the saddle. To all such as these, I 

 would say, take instruction from a competent riding- 

 master ; you will look so much better, and be much 

 safer, and the exercise will be so much more enjoy- 

 able. 



There are many riding-schools in London, but riding- 

 schools are useless without competent instructors. I 

 have had many years' practical experience in the army 

 and in the hunting-field, and therefore trust that my 

 fair readers will consider me competent to recommend a 

 tutor to their notice, who, I can vouch, understands his 

 profession in its entirety, and that is Mr. or the Messrs. 

 Blackman, of Kensington-gate. I have no personal 

 knowledge with any of these gentlemen, but I am 

 acquainted with numerous ladies and gentlemen who 

 have taken instructions from them, and who speak in 



