RIDING RECOLLECTIONS 



you a feed of corn and a rope halter, the latter of 

 which greatly assists in serving your horse with 

 the former. You will find it also a good plan to 

 have your saddles previously well stuffed and 

 repaired, lined with smooth linen. The weather 

 in August is very hot, and your horse will be 

 many hours under your weight, therefore it is well 

 to guard against a sore back. Jump off, too, 

 whenever you have the chance ; a hunter cannot 

 but find it a delightful relief to get rid of twelve 

 or thirteen stone bumping all day against his spine 

 for a minute or two at a time. I have remarked, 

 however, with some astonishment, that the heavier 

 the rider the more averse he seems to granting 

 this indulgence, and am forced to suppose his 

 unwillingness to get down proceeds, as my friend 

 Mr. Grimston says, from a difficulty In getting 

 up again ! This gentleman, however, who, not- 

 withstanding his great w^eight, has always ridden 

 perfectly straight to hounds, over the stifi'est of 

 grass countries, obstinately declines to leave the 

 saddle at any time under less provocation than a 

 complete turn - over by the strength of a gate 

 or stile. 



To mention "the Honourable Robert" brings 

 one by an irresistible association of ideas into the 

 wide pastures of that grassy paradise which 

 mortals call the Vale of Aylesbury. Here, under 

 the excellent management of Sir Nathaniel 



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