The Gentleman's Seat. 65 



he collects himself by natural impulse. Notice in 

 our own fields, for instance, a well-bred horse 

 turned loose; with what proud grace hecarries 

 himself, trotting or galloping, head erect, hind 

 legs well up under him, and the fore legs full of 

 vigorous action. He gives the beholder the 

 impression of an animal whose vital energy per- 

 vades his whole being, inspiring and invigorating 

 every part, and creating that unity of action with- 

 out which he could not exert his whole strength, 

 and which is but another form of expression for 

 being collected. He is, in fact, master of himself. 

 But when he has a rider on his back his move- 

 ments are no longer at the dictation of his own 

 will; he feels and knows this, and, except under 

 moments of excitement, abandons himself more 

 or less to the will of his master. The rider must 

 do for him in his civilised state what nature does 



