276 LADIES ON HORSEBACK. 



(in such cases) on each foot a sharp spur to 

 use with him as a cogent argument in con- 

 vincing him that ordinary progression on four 

 legs is infinitely better than saltimbantique 

 performance on two — at least from my, his 

 rider's, point of view. On a well-bred^ 

 highly-trained animal a spur is scarce ever 

 required to be used, but even then the emer- 

 gency may arise. I really laughed outright 

 when I read what you, Sir, said of the 

 "shoals of letters" arriving from fair corres- 

 pondents " desiring to ride " as '* Hersihe " 

 suggested, but this only convinces me that 

 there are many ladies who feel that it 

 would be — just exactly' as I described it — 

 " a new Hfe on horseback." I could add 

 much more on the subject, but have already 

 trespassed too long on your space. I only 

 repeat, let any lady once fairly try it, and she 

 will always prefer it. I do not for a moment 

 imagine she will always do it. I admit we 

 must conform to custom, and I strongly 

 deprecate individual eccentricity, especially in 

 a lady. I shall continue to read all that 

 appears in yom' paper on this and kindred 



