Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/335

Rh we may so call it, is characteristic of the author, not only in its neat terseness of expression, but still more in its spirit of kindly care for the animal that cannot speak for itself. True gentleness is the offspring, not of weakness, but of strength, and this it is that sets its stamp upon all (hat Major Whyte-Melville has written. It is apparent upon every page of every work of his. It is the hall- mark found only upon true gold — the mark of a kind and manly heart. His 'Riding Recollections' form no exception to the rule. Major Whyte-Melville's horses are his friends, and he would have all who own horses treat them in the same spirit.

Full of anecdote, and of sound practical teaching, the book is a pleasant one to read, and though perhaps the choice of a bridle may be matter of opinion, there is little in the book that we should care to contradict. In his somewhat obvious dictum that "reins are intended for the guidance of a horse, and not for the support of his rider," we cannot too strongly uphold him. It is true that this sort of teaching may be said to be indeed beginning at the beginning, but to how many could we not point who wilfully disregard it. Many a nasty fall might be traced to neglect of this first principle, and for this reason we are inclined to think that a loose rein at a leap, in spite of the many disadvantages enumerated by the author, is the safer course for the majority of men. Left to itself, the horse will clear it if it knows its business, and if it does not, a heavy pull at the bridle is not calculated to teach it.

From the use of the bridle, our author takes us to the abuse of the spur, aud here again in one short pithy saying, he gives us the theme of a chapter. "No man," he says, "should arm his heels with spurs until he is so good a rider as to be sure they shall not touch his horse." In effect the Major would have every one win his spurs in the field, as in the days of chivalry he would have won his spurs of gold, — ornaments won by prowess to be worn with honour, — and perhaps in the main he is right. Few people know how to spur — fewer still know when. Still we are inclined to think that there are times when spurs are a necessity, particularly to a novice, who needs his heels in proportion as he lacks head and hands. More than one "cropper" have we known averted by a timely application of the steel, when nothing else would have availed.

Hand and seat, valour and discretion, have each a chapter to themselves, readable and valuable, in spite of the saying that an