COERESPONDENCE. 237 



Sir, — I cannot regret that my letter has 

 given the authoress of this work, and also 

 the owner of the "big bay'' horse, an 

 opportunity of explaining the circumstances 

 attending her mount on that puissant but 

 headstrong animal, and of repudiating the 

 erroneous construction put upon it, as probably 

 the same idea may have occurred to many 

 other readers of the anecdote, who may not 

 have cared to express their sentiments. I 

 must say, however, that I am very sorry if 

 my remarks occasioned pain to either of your 

 correspondents. The explanation given 

 shows clearly that no blame was really 

 attributable to the gentleman who offered the 

 mount, and I can well believe he never 

 dreamt of danger with the horse in sucli 

 skilful hands. No one would doubt the 

 sincerity of the statement given, that the 

 horse was put in harness for the first time and 

 driven away, after such an experience of his 

 temper; but it speaks more highly for the 

 courage than discretion of his owner, and I 

 can well understand the friend's hesitation to 

 share the driving-seat, for there are few 



