Mounting. 53 



tleman, in attendance, who stoops to receive it. 

 The lady then puts her left hand on his right 

 shoulder; and straightening her left knee, bears 

 her weight on the .assistant's hand; which he 

 gradually raises (rising, himself, at the same time) 

 until she is seated on the saddle. During her 

 elevation, she steadies, and even if necessary, 

 partly assists herself towards the saddle by her 

 hands; one of which, it will be recollected, is 

 placed on the crutch, and the other on her assis- 

 tant's shoulder. It is important that she should 

 keep her foot firm and her knee straight. 



If these directions be well attended to, she will 

 find herself raised to her saddle with but a trifling 

 exertion, either, on her own part, or that of the 

 assistant. Should the latter be a lad only, or a 

 groom not much accustomed to this part of his 

 business, he should use both hands instead of one ; 

 — joining them by the fingers : indeed, this gene- 

 rally speaking, is the safer mode. The lady, in 

 all cases, should take care that her weight be well 

 balanced on her left foot from which she should 

 rise as perpendicularly as possible ; above all things 

 taking care not to put her foot forward, but keep- 

 ing it directly under her. The assistant should 

 not begin to raise her until she has removed her 

 right foot from the ground, and, by strengthening 

 5* 



