266 EACECOUESE AND COVEET SIDE. 



cordially admitted ; but still more extraordinary 

 are those marvellous hands, which, resting 

 behind the pummel of the saddle, and holding 

 the reins with the gentlest possible touch on his 

 horse's mouth, give the animal's head and neck 

 the fullest hberty and yet keep it under the most 

 complete control. How is the secret between 

 man and horse communicated and so thoroughly 

 understood ? I have an uncomfortable feeling 

 that if I got on that horse and tried to do 

 the same thing he would pull at me, and my 

 hands half the time would be upon his neck 

 instead of well behind his withers, at the point 

 which the veterinary surgeons, I believe, call 

 the trapezius dorsalis. When the other horses 

 came cantering round, if I were up in that 

 saddle I have the best reason for supposing that 

 my beast would want to join in, and would 

 vigorously dispute the privilege of doing so ; 

 but though Cannon's horse is willing enough, to 

 say the least of it, to go with the rest when he 

 has the faintest hint that he may do so, that 

 loose rein is an invincible restraint, and the 

 animal obeys it with the most perfect com- 

 placence. What, I repeat, is the secret, and 

 how is it acquired ? 



Meantime a detachment of the young ones 

 have swept past us, and are now nearing the 



