A few more words, and I close my preliminary observations and commence my subject. I cannot but be aware, from the nature of the correspondence which has flowed in upon me, that although far the greater number of my readers have agreed with me and entirely coincided in my views, not a few have been found to cavil. Let not such think that I am oblivious of their good intentions because I remain unconvinced by their arguments, and still prefer to maintain my own opinions, which I have not ventured to set forth without mature deliberation, and the most substantial reasons for holding them in fixity of tenure. I have spent some considerable time in turning over in my mind the advisability, or otherwise, of publishing, as a sort of appendix to this volume, a selection from the letters which were printed in The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News with reference to my writings in that journal. After much deliberation I have decided upon suffering the entire number, with a few trifling exceptions, to appear. They only form a very small proportion of the voluminous correspondence with which the Editor and myself were favoured; but, such as they are, I give them—together with my replies,—not merely because they set forth the views and impressions of various persons upon topics of universal interest, but because I conceive that a large amount of useful information may be gleaned from them, and they may also serve to amuse my lady readers, who will doubtless be interested in the numerous queries which I was called upon to answer. Whether or not I have been able to fight my battles and maintain my cause, must be for others to determine.

I likewise subjoin a little paper on "Hunting in Ireland"—also already published—which brought me many letters: some of them from persons whose word should carry undoubted weight, fully coinciding in and substantiating my views with regard to the cutting up of grass-lands; whilst further on will be found my article entitled "Hunting in America," originally published in Life, and copied from that journal into so many papers throughout the kingdom, and abroad, that it is now universally known, and cannot be here presented in the form of a novelty,—but is given for the benefit of those who may not have chanced to meet with it, and for whom the subject of American sports and pastimes may happen to possess interest.

N. P. O'D.

CONTENTS.

PART I.
LEARNING.
CHAPTER I.
A Popular Error.‌—‌Excellence in Riding attainable without anyYouthful Knowledge of the Art.‌—‌The Empress of Austria.‌—‌HerProficiency.‌—‌Her Palace.‌—‌Her Occupations.‌—‌Her Disposition.‌—‌HerThoughts and Opinions.‌—‌The Age at which to learn.‌—‌Courageindispensable.‌—‌Taste a Necessity[1]
CHAPTER II.
Learner's Costume.‌—‌The Best Teacher.‌—‌Your Bridle.‌—‌YourSaddle.‌—‌Your Stirrup.‌—‌Danger from "Safety-stirrup."‌—‌A TerribleSituation.‌—‌Learning to Ride without any support for the Foot[11]
CHAPTER III.
Mounting.‌—‌Holding the Reins.‌—‌Position in the Saddle.‌—‌Use ofthe Whip.‌—‌Trotting.‌—‌Cantering.‌—‌Riding from Balance.‌—‌Use ofthe Stirrup. Leaping.‌—‌Whyte Melville's opinion[23]
PART II.
PARK AND ROAD RIDING.
CHAPTER IV.
How to Dress.‌—‌A Country-girl's ideas upon the subject.‌—‌Howto put on your Riding-gear.‌—‌How to preserve it.‌—‌FirstRoad-ride.‌—‌Backing.‌—‌Rearing, and how to prevent it[44]
CHAPTER V.
Running away.‌—‌Three Dangerous Adventures.‌—‌How to act whenplaced in Circumstances of Peril.‌—‌How to Ride a Puller.‌—‌Through the City.‌—‌To a Meet of Hounds.‌—‌Boastful Ladies.‌—‌ABraggart's Resource[62]
PART III.
HUNTING.
CHAPTER VI.
Hunting-Gear.‌—‌Necessary Regard for Safe Shoeing.‌—‌Drive to theMeet.‌—‌Scene on arriving.‌—‌A Word with the Huntsman.‌—‌A GoodPilot.‌—‌The Covert-side.‌—‌Disappointment.‌—‌A Long Trot[81]
CHAPTER VII.
Hounds in Covert.‌—‌The First Fence.‌—‌Follow your Pilot.‌—‌ARiver-bath.‌—‌A Wise Precaution.‌—‌A Label advisable.‌—‌Wall andWater Jumping.‌—‌Advice to Fallen Riders.‌—‌Hogging.‌—‌More Tail[98]
CHAPTER VIII.
Holding on to a Prostrate Horse.‌—‌Is it Wise or otherwise?‌—‌AnIndiscreet Jump.‌—‌A Difficult Finish.‌—‌The Dangers of MarshyGrounds.‌—‌Encourage Humanity.‌—‌A Reclaimed Cabby![111]
CHAPTER IX.
Selfishness in the Field.‌—‌Fording a River.‌—‌Shirking a Fence.‌—‌Over-riding the Hounds.‌—‌Treatment of Tired Hunters.‌—‌Bigwigand the Major.‌—‌Naughty Bigwig.‌—‌Hapless Major[120]
CHAPTER X.
Feeding Horses.‌—‌Forage-biscuits.‌—‌Irish Peasantry.‌—‌A CunningIdiot.‌—‌A Cabin Supper.‌—‌The Roguish Mule.‌—‌A Day at Courtown.‌—‌Paddy's Opinion of the Empress[131]
CHAPTER XI.
The Double-rise.‌—‌Pointing out the Right Foot.‌—‌The force ofHabit.‌—‌Various kinds of Fault-finding.‌—‌Mr. Sturgess'Pictures.‌—‌An English Harvest-home.‌—‌A Jealous Shrew.‌—‌A ShyBlacksmith.‌—‌How Irishmen get Partners at a Dance[144]
CHAPTER XII.
Subject of Feeding resumed.‌—‌Cooked Food recommended.‌—‌Effects ofRaw Oats upon "Pleader."‌—‌Servants' Objections.‌—‌Snaffle-bridle,and Bit-and-Bridoon.‌—‌Kindness to the Poor.‌—‌An UnsympatheticLady.‌—‌An Ungallant Captain.‌—‌What is a Gentleman?‌—‌AuRevoir![159]
PART IV.
HUNTING IN IRELAND[173]
PART V.
HUNTING IN AMERICA[183]
CORRESPONDENCE[192]

LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

PART I.

LEARNING.