THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER.
By SIR FRANCIS B. HEAD, Bart.
WORKS BY SIR FRANCIS HEAD.
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JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,
AND CHARING CROSS.
the hounds are LATE to-day!
FRONTISPIECE
THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER.
By SIR FRANCIS B. HEAD, Bart.
He grew unto his seat;
And to such wond'rous doing brought his horse,
As he had been incorps'd and demy-natur'd
With the brave beast.
Hamlet, Act iv. Scene 7.
SECOND EDITION.
LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
1861.
The right of Translation is reserved.
PREFACE.
The writer of this little volume deems it only fair toforewarn his readers that he is not, and never has been,an inhabitant of that variegated region in creation commonlycalled "the sporting world."
He has never bred, raced, steeple-chased, nor bettedsixpence on any colt, filly, horse, or mare. He has neverseen, nor been seen by, the Jockey-Club. He has neverbeen on the turf. He does not belong to "the ring."
Nevertheless, sometimes in the performance of publicduties,—sometimes from private inclination,—sometimesfor the benefit of his health,—sometimes for recreation,—sometimesfor rumination,—sometimes to risk his life,—andmore than once to save it, he has, throughout along and chequered career,