HUNTING. 108 



improbably occur. Supposing that he falls 

 and throws his rider, your horse may in 

 alighting just chance to plant a foot upon 

 the empty saddle of the prostrate animal, the 

 shppery nature of which throws him off his 

 balance, and you and he roll upon the earth 

 together — perhaps receiving a kick from your 

 pilot's struggling mount. From this species 

 of accident many evils have from time to 

 time arisen, and therefore I dutifully en- 

 deavour to put you well upon your guard. 

 I would also again remind you that if you 

 really mean to ride an intricate country, you 

 should never under any circumstances neglect 

 to bring a change of clothing, for you may 

 at any moment be dyked, and to remain in 

 wet garments is highly dangerous, — not so long 

 as you are exercising, but during the journey 

 to your home. It is not in the saddle, but 

 in vehicles and railway carriages that colds 

 are contracted and the seeds of disease are 

 sown. It may not be out of place here to 

 offer you a piece of wholesome advice. Should 

 you at any time have the ill-fortune to be 

 riding a kicking horse in the midst of a crowd, 



