COBRESPONDENCE. 263 



criticise what one is often obliged to do in 

 foreign lands ; there it may prove a necessity, 

 for the riding is not simply for pleasure, but 

 often the only means, of transport, and the 

 horses may not be fitted for our saddles, nor 

 we accustomed to their paces ; but, in England, 

 the idea of a number of ladies fantastically 

 dressed and mounted Hke men must shock 

 many of your readers. I hope *^X. Y. Z," 

 who first wrote in favour of this change some 

 weeks ago, may pardon me if I say that the 

 ladies of his or her acquaintance who, in con- 

 sequence of only one stirrup, cannot avoid 

 inclining the head and shoulders too much to 

 the left, &c., and in addition gall their horses' 

 backs, had better not attempt to ride at all. 

 What is a prettier sight than a neatly-dressed 

 Enghshwoman riding a horse, '^ as a lady," 

 and should we retain the same respect we now 

 get if we gave up, in this particular, the few 

 feminine tokens left to us. Why not let us 

 accept the male attire altogether ? It would 

 be far more to our comfort in getting about on 

 foot, and if one change is so advisable, surely 

 the other is quite as sensible. I agree with 



