42 The Art of Biding. 



riding hard to hounds. For thoroughly shaking 

 one into the seat there is nothing like it, whether 

 for man or woman. The excitement of the Chase 

 sends the blood coursing through the body, sub- 

 dues every feeling of nervousness and timidity, 

 and fills the mind with exciting and pleasurable 

 sensations, to the exclusion of all thoughts and 

 feelings of danger or fear. It is astonishing to 

 see the way ladies, who are by no means good 

 riders, will sometimes take the roughest country, 

 and go with break-neck speed, under the excite- 

 ment of the moment, where they would not other- 

 wise venture even to walk their horses. Never- 

 theless, I strongly advise ladies not to venture to 

 follow the hounds until they can ride with ease, 

 and leap ordinary hedges, &c., without fear or mis- 

 giving. Bold riding is commendable, but only 

 when coupled with skilful riding. It is the bold 

 bad rider that comes to grief, as a rule. 



