Me PERSEVERANCE. 145 and have a pretty good seat, but for the world youywould not venture to take such a leap! Yet others, no more accustomed to leaping than yourself, ride at ‘the gate; and while some clear it with a triumphant cheer, others are left in the mud. If you are timid and self-distrustful, what should be your course? You are urged to try, you are told there is no danger,—what others have done you can do. Do not believe a word of it. With your present feelings, if you try you will be sure either to Stick by the way and spoil your horse, to pull him over backwards upon yourself, or to break your neck. What, then, should you do? LKither go ‘to a riding-school, or betake yourself to an open field, and practise by yourself, or with a 13