350 
REVIEWS. 
the systems in the world; but as to the method of learning, 
the author continues— 
“ How, it may be asked, is this to be done ? I answer, 
simply by attending to one thing at a time. You want to 
learn how to sit a horse. Very good; then put aside for the 
present all anxiety about managing and guiding him. Your 
present business is, wherever he may go, and whatever he 
may do, to continue steady upon his back. Therefore leave 
it to some one else to take care that he goes where he ought, 
and does nothing which he oughk not. You are at present 
in the situation of a landsman going to sea, and must not 
think about steering until you have got your sea legs.” 
The practical value of these directions no one can question. 
In the same terse manner the writer inducts the pupil into 
the mysteries of the ‘^seat,” the hand,” ‘Hhe legs,” “the 
nerves,” “ breaking the horse,” and “finishing.” 
Criticism upon style in regard to a work of this kin dis 
perhaps uncalled for, but it is impossible not to notice the 
entire absence of “ fine writing ” throughout the work. The 
author seems to have been more concerned about the exact 
thing to be said than about the best way of saying it, and in 
consequence has said, or written, what he intends, in the 
most precise and intelligible manner : witness the concluding 
lines of the book. 
“ Do not be in haste to condemn your horse for final 
impenitence. There are very few horses which cannot be 
properly suppled, still fewer which will not be greatly and 
manifestly improved by even an imperfect attempt to supple 
them. If you find that you are making no progress, it is 
twenty to one that the fault is your own. Try every pos¬ 
sible combination before you give up. Remember that every 
lesson carefully and patiently given will improve you in 
teaching, if it does not improve your pupil in learning. 
Above all, never give up in a pet. So long as you feel mor¬ 
tified and dissatisfied at your failure, this is a sure proof that 
your failure was avoidable and is reparable. 
“When you are complacently conscious of having done your 
own work cleverly and well, then lay the blame on your 
horse if you choose to do so.” 
How to acquire the art and mystery of this “ suppling,” 
the amateur will find plainly described in the book, from the 
perusal of which he will gain amusement as well as instruc¬ 
tion, and useful discipline in attempting to reduce its prin¬ 
ciples to practice. 
