26S LADIES ON HORSEBACK. 



sore backs. Another remark from " X. Y. Z." 

 is, it is said that curvature of the spine some- 

 times ensues from children being taught at 

 too early an age to ride on side-saddles. I fear 

 the mistake is by the said children not having 

 been taught how to sit or to put themselves 

 in form for their own comfort, but left to 

 sit as they like on horseback and get bad 

 habits they cannot get rid of, never throw- 

 ing the weight of the body in its proper 

 place. Then, as to the remark about the 

 riding-habit on the pommels, that disadvantage 

 either has, or ought to have, passed away a 

 long time ago ; for I am well satisfied that a 

 lady can so dress herself for the hunting-field 

 in boots, Bedfords, and plenty of flannel that 

 she can keep herself warm and comfortable 

 without a great, strong, heavy, long riding- 

 habit. Let the habit be short and very hght, 

 and by no means bound round the bottom 

 part with anything strong, but left so that it 

 will give way either in a fall or in leaping 

 through a high fence. I wonder if Mr. Lovell 

 had his knife in his pocket when he saw his 

 daughter suspended by the habit, which would 



