LEARNING. 35 



piece of mechanical pianoforte-playing be 

 termed music. When you have, after much 

 difficulty and delay, mastered the obstacles 

 which marred your progress, you will then 

 have the happy consciousness of feehng that 

 however your horse may shy or swerve, or 

 otherwise depart from his good manners, you 

 can sit him with the ease and closeness of a 

 young centaur. 



This art of riding from balance is not half 

 sufficiently known. It is one most difficult to 

 acquire, but the study is worth the labour. 

 Nine-tenths of the lady equestrians, and 

 perhaps even a greater number of gentlemen, 

 ride from the horse's head ; a detestable 

 practice which cannot be too highly con- 

 demned. I must also warn you against 

 placing too much stress upon the stirrup when 

 your horse is trotting. You must bear in 

 mind that the stirrup is intended for a support 

 for the foot — not to be ridden from. By 

 placing your right leg firmly aroimd the 

 up-pommel, and pressing the left knee against 

 the leaping-head, you can accomplish the 

 rise in your saddle with slight assistance 



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