CORRESPONDENCE. 255 



still persist in wearing — nearly twice too long, 

 and quite three times too wide. I earnestly 

 hope ** HersiKe " will take these observations 

 in good part. I make them in a perfectly 

 friendly spirit. I feel kindly towards all ladies, 

 especially those who love horses ; and so I 

 offer ^'Hersilie '* a warm shake-hands, and 

 hope she will fight me as much as ever she 

 likes — in a friendly way, of course ! 



Now, a word to " Jack Spur." I think he is 

 under a mistake in averring that there is any 

 severity in the sheath spur. He says it must 

 be appUed with a kick. As I always ride with 

 one, and never with any other description, I 

 must entirely differ from him in this opinion. 

 A shght pressure is alone necessary. No 

 gentlewoman would be guilty of kicking her 

 horse. I strongly object to rowels, as I hold to 

 the beUef that almost anybody — except a really 

 first-class equestrienne — would be likely to hurt or 

 worry the horse in an unnecessary manner. 



Strange to say, I had only got thus far in 

 my letter when the post brought me a com- 

 munication from Stirling, signed **Eeform," 

 begging of me to advocate ladies riding upon 



