a summer afternoon in the country; on the halldoor steps my father was standing with some other gentlemen, and they were talking about horses which were dangerous or difficult to ride. Grenadier's name very soon came up in this discussion, and my father sent for him. I think I see the little creature now; a groom held the halter quite close to his muzzle, and he approached the group on the steps with many bounds and kicks, behaving in fact more like a lion than a discreet old pony, warranted 6 very quiet with children.' He was so perfect of his kind that he excited a great deal of admiration; but all the gentlemen agreed that he seemed anything but amiable. However, at last the groom was induced by the promise of half-a-crown to mount Master Granny, but I don't think he kept his seat for more than two minutes; then one of the gentlemen tried; and, lastly, my father, who was an excellent rider: but they all shared the fate of the groom, and were speedily deposited on the grass. By this time Granny had worked himself up into a

G

fury, and would hardly let any one approach him: we were called to pacify him, and the moment we came near with our little hands outstretched, and our childish voices scolding him, Granny changed as if by magic, and first one and then the other little girl was lifted up and seated on the broad pad which was the only saddle on which we learned to ride. I can remember quite well the look of alarm on the gentlemen's faces, and their entreaties to my father not to be so rash. I believe they expected to see us both-fearless little creatures that we were— killed before their eyes; but nothing was further from dear old Granny's mind than hurting us in any way. With Jessie and I clinging to each other, and to his shaggy mane, he ambled gently and carefully about the lawn, taking the greatest care not to turn round sharply, or in any way peril the very slight amount of balance by which we kept ourselves on his back. As soon as he thought we had ridden long enough, he deliberately walked to where our nurse was, and stood perfectly still while she helped us

down; indeed, I am ashamed to say that my favourite mode of alighting was to scramble to my feet on the pad, and then with a whoop of defiance at my unfortunate nurse, to jump off, tearing or soiling my frock in this exploit. Dear eccentric old Grenadier! he died long ago at an advanced age, petted and tended to the last by his little childfriends; one of his tiny hoofs was mounted as an inkstand, with his name and age engraved underneath it, and for many years Jessie and I used to cherish the China tablet painted with his name as a precious relic.

The pony to which I was next promoted was called Vic.' 6 He was much larger, but so very good and well-behaved, that I cannot find anything amusing to tell you about him; and we must pass on to Alarm,' a most beautiful bright bay pony with black points, the sole property of our school-boy brother. Harry was very proud of this animal, but it really was a most dangerous beast to ride. My father's theory about Alarm' was, that in his youth