4 LADIES ON HORSEBACK. 



than her style of riding it would be impossible^ 

 to conceive. The manner in which sha 

 mounts her horse, sits him, manages him, and 

 bears him safely through a difficult run, is 

 something which must be seen to be under- 

 stood. Her courage is amazing. Indeed,, 

 I have been informed that she finds as^ 

 little difficulty in standing upon a bare-backed 

 steed and driving four others in long reins, 

 as in sitting quietly in one of Kjreutzman's^ 

 saddles. In the circus attached to her palace 

 at Vienna she almost daily performs these 

 feats, and encourages by prizes and evidences 

 of personal favour many of the Viennese 

 ladies who seek to emulate her example. 

 There has been considerable discussion re- 

 specting the question of the Empress's- 

 womanliness, and the reverse. Ladies have 

 averred — oh, jealous ladies ! — that she is not 

 womanly ; that her style of dressing is 

 objectionable, and that she has *^ no business 

 to ride without her husband !" These sayings 

 are all open to but one interpretation ; ladies 

 are ever envious of each other, more especially 

 of those who excel. The Empress is not only 



