LADIES IN THE SHIRES 281 



people to forget to direct their expenditure into the 

 proper channels and make them overlook the duties 

 (for such they are) of courtesy and kindness. 



Enough, however, of such reflections ! Let us turn 

 back to the practical side of hunting in the Shires. 

 Suppose that the family authorities have decided on 

 a season in Leicestershire — then there is much to be 

 thought of — a new habit or two, a covert coat, and 

 all the details of a hunting outfit, every portion of 

 which should be of the best. It is not necessary to 

 have many things if your purse is limited, but it is 

 necessary to have them of the best in both cut and 

 material. It is needful that everything should fit and 

 that there should be no possibility of discomfort. 

 Above all, the saddle should be perfectly suitable to 

 the rider. Important for a man, this is absolutely 

 indispensable for a woman ; and then, too, you must 

 have the horse you can ride. If shoulders in a hunter 

 are, as Lord Willoughby de Broke said, a luxury for 

 the rich man, they are a necessity for any woman. 

 But do not take the opinion of any one or trust the 

 judgment of your own eye as to a horse's shoulders 

 when standing on the ground alongside him. Order 

 your saddle to be put on, and see that it is placed in 

 the right place behind, and not on the top of, the 

 withers. Then get up and trot down hill over ridge 

 and furrow if you can find a field near at hand. If 

 there seems to be plenty in front of you, if the horse 

 takes out a long rein and gives you a feeling of con- 

 fidence, moving easily and smoothly, he can use 

 his shoulders and he will do. But if you feel as if you 

 were sitting on the edge of a precipice, have nothing 

 to do with him. You cannot ride over Leicestershire in 

 safety in a side-saddle on a bad-shouldered horse. A 

 moderate-sized horse is to be preferred to a taU, flat- 



