206 THROUGH STABLE AND SADDLE-ROOM. 



Many a time have T myself, being in uniform, taken 

 the brush out of the hand of a recruit and shown 

 him how to use it to the best advantage to his horse, 

 and with the least necessary expenditure of force. 

 I have more than once seen generals of cavalry, 

 with their own hands, saddle and bridle a horse in 

 order to better explain the meanino- of some svstem 

 which they were anxious to adopt, or to try, and on 

 one occasion I distinctly remember seeing General 

 Sir F. Fitzwygram seated on the top of a troop 

 horse and busily employed in hauling away at 

 baggage and wallet-straps, so as to explain to an 

 officer how he wished these articles put on. I 

 think after these remarks I need say no more. 

 Such work is elevating, but I am well aware that 

 there are plenty of men to be found, not the gentle- 

 men of England though, who would think it utterly 

 beneath them to do any such thing. 



Rest assured that a little occasional supervision 

 by the master, during the grooming-hour, will do 

 no harm to those who know how grooming ought to 

 be done. It is very apparent whether a groom 

 knows and does his work properly, or is ignorant, or 

 slurs it. The result of his labour will show if the 

 latter is the case, and the very way he handles his 

 grooming utensils the former ; and when engaging a 

 groom I like to see him at work myself for a few 



