A Hint for Horsemen, 



own Tom Smith as liis instmctor. This was 

 particularly the case with Douglas Standen, 

 afterwards Colonel Standen, a particularly bold 

 rider, and a man totally indifferent to falls. 

 He always ascribed both these qualifications 

 for a keen sjoortsman to the instructions of his 

 first riding-master, Tom Smith, who taught him 

 to sit loose on his pony and lean back when 

 riding over or through a fence. But how- 

 ever great a man's nerve may be in early life, 

 it is liable to be destroyed by a sudden shock. 

 This happened with Colonel Cummins, one of 

 the boldest riders in the H.H. country, re- 

 siding at that time at Bui*kham, three miles 

 from Shaldon, and who often encouraged the 

 young fox-hunter by giving him a ginger- 

 bread nut or sandwich. The Colonel, how- 

 ever, left Burkham and went abroad. A few 

 years after this he returned, and went in a low 

 pony-chair to make inquiries as to Mr. Smith's 

 family, when his young friend expressed his 

 great delight at the hope of seeing him ride 



