62 PINK AND SCARLET 



Mark the two words "rider" and "horseman." 

 They are synonymous to the world in general, but 

 how different to the initiated ; to essay to explain 

 the subtle differences to the uninitiated is like en- 

 deavouring to explain the beauties of a picture to 

 a coal-heaver in French. 



Illustration may perhaps do something to separate 

 the two, and we may say that the riding-master 

 can teach, and the riding-school make the rider ; 

 while Why te- Melville, in Riding Recollections, ex- 

 plains what is meant by the term horseiiian; and the 

 hunting-field, combined with some natural aptitude, 

 can make one. It is the difference, in fact, between 

 barrack-square drill and active service. 



Our young soldier has got his kit, his horse, 

 his saddle and bridle, and we must assume that 

 he is a rider " of sorts." 



For argument's sake let us suppose that he 

 becomes a horse-owner for the first time in the 

 summer. This will give him time to get the show 

 into going condition before the hunting season 

 begins. 



It is the morrow of the great day on which the 

 purchase was made, and the first ride is to be 

 taken. There is a great deal in first impressions, 

 and no one is so susceptible to them as the horse. 

 The very minute you get on his back, perhaps 

 directly you touch the reins to get up, he knows 

 whether you are afraid of him or not, and he will 

 act accordingly. 



But we must hark back a minute, we have not 



