COEEESPONDENCE. 205- 



reins and urged it forward, but finding this- 

 ineffectual, struck it violently between the 

 ears with his hunting-whip. The animal,. 

 maddened, I presume, by the pain, reared 

 straight on end and fell backward ; its rider 

 being a very agile man, slipped off sideways, 

 and thus escaped nearly certain death ; but 

 had the rider been a lady instead of a 

 gentleman the consequences must have been 

 fatal; and with so light a switch as a lady 

 usually carries, a blow between the ears could 

 only serve to irritate without producing any 

 good effect. I would ask one more question : 

 Why does your correspondent so strongly 

 object to the use of the *^ old-fashioned 

 slipper " stirrup ? I am rather curious on this 

 point, because I have ever since the tender 

 age of four, when my riding experiences began, 

 used the shoe- stirrup, and I have always 

 thought it so safe, because my foot sHps out in 

 a second. I am aware that it is extremely 

 unfashionable, as in Eotton Eow you hardly 

 see a lady using it ; but I keep to it still, not 

 so much with the idea of its safety, but for 

 comfort, especially in trotting. I find it 



