514 
THE HORRORS OF HORSEMANSHIP. 
You had better get a step-ladder, Mr. B.,"” said Miss L., 
who, by-the-by, is, I think, rather a pert and interfering per¬ 
son. I was obliged to force a smile. U was, I am afraid, an 
abortive one ; my features soon resumed the cast suited to my 
sad situation. 
Farewell,’’ said I, wringing my uncle’s hand. He happened 
to be one of the party, and was standing on the hall-door steps. 
Farewell”—and I pressed his palm between both of mine. I 
never felt my bowels yearn more towards my uncle than at the 
moment. He is a little, red-faced, choleric man. 
Why, boy, you are squeezing my rheumatic finger,” said 
he, pettishly. 
Come, B., come,” shouted M. The horses began to get un- 
.easy at being held in so long, and exhibited rather more eager¬ 
ness than I did to be off‘. Evil communications corrupt good 
manners,” and my Mammoth, among the rest, began also to make 
some unwieldy demonstrations of impatience. 
I am quite ready,” said I, with feigned alacrity; and I pre¬ 
pared to mount. 
Mv dear fellow, is it at that side of your horse you mount?” 
said M. 
“ Oh,” returned I, with great presence’of mind, glossing over 
'*my blunder, it is a perfect matter of indifference to me which 
side I mount.” I however went to the' right one. ‘‘ Hold him 
tight—ahem !” said I, in sotto voice to the groom, the injunction 
being perfectly distinct notwithstanding a clearing of the throat, 
and a half appearance of unconcern which accompanied it. What 
with my awkwardness, and Big Sam’s unaccommodating spirit, 
I am sure three minutes fully elapsed before I got into the 
saddle, the groom having (as, I believe it is, Ariosto says) got 
“ more kicks than halfpence” from me, whilst I unskilfully en¬ 
deavoured to place myself athwart my charger. 
Well, is all right?” said M. 
Yes, replied I, with desperation, both hands grasping the 
reins, and my feet driven up to the heels in the stirrups ; “ all 
right.” 
‘‘ Onward then,”—and on he went, I keeping in the rear as 
far as Sam would allow me; for, fired by a very troublesome 
emulation, he ambitioned the foremost rank. 1 at length suc¬ 
ceeded in getting him to walk beside one of the party, who being 
a gentleman of a certain age, was more staid and discreet than 
the rest of the bevy. We went along pretty smoothly. Sam 
now and then startled me by a loud neigh like an earthquake, 
and by occasionally throwing up his head ; but on the whole his 
demeanour was tolerably tranquil. Though my position was far 
