74 The Seat and Balance. 



seldom appears to greater advantage than when 

 mounted on a fine horse, if her deportment be 

 graceful, and her positions correspond with his 

 paces and attitudes ; but the reverse is the case, 

 if, instead of acting with, and influencing the 

 movements of the horse, she appear to be tossed 

 to and fro, and overcome by them. She should 

 rise, descend, advance, and stop with, and not after 

 the animal. From this harmony of motion result 

 ease, elegance, and the most brilliant effect. The 

 lady should sit in such a position, that the weight 

 of the body may rest on the centre of the saddle. 

 One shoulder should not be advanced more than 

 the other. Neither must she bear any weight on 

 the stirrup, nor hang by the crutch towards the 

 near side. She ought not to suffer herself to in- 

 cline forward, but partially backward. If she 

 bend forward, her shoulders will, most probably, 

 be rounded, and her weight thrown too much upon 

 the horse's withers : in addition to these disadvan- 

 tages, the position will give her an air of timid 

 gaucherie. Leaning a little backward, on the 

 contrary, tends to bring the shoulders in, keeps 

 the weight in its proper bearing, and produces an 

 appearance of graceful confidence. 



The head should be in an easy, natural position : 

 that is, neither drooping forward nor thrown back ; 



