662 
MISCELLANEA. 
thereto, he had more opportunities of judging of the onerous and 
important duties he had undertaken, and the disinterested and 
efficient manner in which he had carried them out. He should, 
therefore, propose “That the thanks of the Council be given to 
Dr. M'Gregor for his valuable and efficient services as Secretary to 
the portion of the Board acting for Scotland.” This was seconded 
by Mr. Percivall, most warmly responded to by all present, and 
carried unanimously. 
Adjourned. 
MISCELLANEA. 
The “ Besetting Sin” of Riders on Horseback. 
“ When you wish to turn to the right, pull the right rein : this 
is common sense. The common error is precisely the reverse ; — 
when you wish to turn to the right to pass the hand to the right. 
By this, the right rein is slackened, and the left rein is tightened, 
across the horse’s neck ; and the horse is required to turn to the 
right, when the left rein is pulled.” — “ The military style (of 
riding) is, and must essentially be, a one-handed style, for the soldier 
must have his right hand at liberty for his weapons. His left 
hand thus becomes his bridle-hand ; and that hand must hold the 
reins in such a manner as will require the least possible aid from 
the sword-hand to shorten them, as occasion may require. This 
is with the fourth finger from the thumb only between them.” — 
“ I do not see how this system can be altered unless it be by 
placing three fingers of the left hand between the reins, viz. the 
second, third, and fourth. The reins held in this way are as easily 
and as quickly shortened, by drawing them with the right hand 
through the left, as if they were separated by the fourth finger only. 
I always adopt this mode myself.” — “ When double bridles are 
used, the riders should ride with only one rein at a time ; and they 
should use both hands to the reins, whether of the curb or snaffle, 
precisely the same as a rough-rider or colt-breaker uses the reins 
of a snaffle-bridle; except that the reins should pass outside the 
fourth finger from the thumb, instead of between them and the 
third fingers.” 
“ Correct, single-handed indications, with the fourth finger only 
between the reins, will not be obeyed by one horse in ten thousand. 
Try them in driving : then the terret pad prevents their being 
given incorrectly, and a bearing rein, a severe bit, and a whip, 
