Hunting in the Isle of Tkanet, 167 



suggest a visit to this liealtli- giving locality, where, 

 however heavily handicapped the patient may be, I 

 will guarantee that he will speedily find himself in 

 better form if he will mount a thoroughbred one, and, 

 leaving black care behind, go the pace with the 

 Thanet or West-street harriers, or have a spin with 

 the Earl of Guildford's noble pack across that portion 

 of East Kent which is hunted by these well-appointed 

 houndiA, and which is within easy reach of visitors 

 to Ramsgate, Deal, Dover, and Folkestone. And 

 here I may remark that, whatever objections may be 

 taken to ladies riding to hounds in general, there can 

 be none in the case of well-mounted horsewomen who 

 may be disposed to follow the harriers in any portion 

 of the Isle of Thanet, where the land is light and 

 devoid of fences, and the hares being abundant, there 

 is a certainty of a find, and the probability of a good 

 burst over the open, for those who prefer this style 

 of thing to hammering along the hard high-roads in 

 the pursuit of pleasure, or for the sake of exercise. 



At no time, in my opinion, is a fair maiden seen to 

 greater advantage than when she is mounted on a 

 good horse ; of course I assume that she has an elegant 

 figure, a light hand, confidence in the animal she is 

 to perform on, and a well-fitting and short-cut habit. 

 By a good horse I mean an animal that is handsome 

 in form, with sloping shoulder and high crest, ensur- 

 ing thereby perfect freedom of action and elasticity 

 and comfort in his movements; with high courage, 

 a turn of speed, and a light mouth, and whilst being 

 full of spnnt, and ready to spring into a gallop at the 

 slightest movement, is yet always and at all times 

 perfectly under the control of his rider. Such being 



