Text page for "How to Qualify for a Meltonian". (Primary Title)
Henry Thomas Alken, English, 1785–1851 (Artist)
Printed in center: Plate IV. HOW TO TAKE A LEAP. / To imitate in this case, you must by Nature be endowed with great courage, and possess a high-toned set / of nerves. Even in the leap, let your seat possess as much as possible of the Meltonian swing. Let your / attitude be extremely careless, but at the same time determinedly singular. Pick your leaps high and strong. / However extraordinary the leap may be, never appear to think it of consequence. If you should fail in the / attempt, carelessly curse your horse, and compare the fence, however large, to any thing extravagant that may / suit your fancy, such as a row of peas or cabbages. Endeavour to do all this, and perhaps you may be taken / for a real M. / Plate V. HOW TO GO THROUGH AN OVERFLOW. / Here you have an opportunity of shewing your courage to the greatest advantage. All common-rate sports- / men would consider this something like madness, unless they were well acquainted with the country. Do what / others dare not---ride through every overflow, if straight, with the hounds, even should a river run through / it, which, by the bye, you may generally calculate upon, and that you and your horse, on that account, / stand a chance of taking a dive somewhat resembling the Hippopotamus in the Niger. Do all this, and you / stand an excellent chance of being taken for a real M. /
Plate VI. HOW TO TAKE THE LEAD. / Very few sporting men arrive at this elevated situation. If, by being well laid in, you have an opportunity / of taking the lead, do it at all risks. You must have no more fellow-feeling in fox-hunting, than you have / in your political career. Ride straight to your point. Should you be called upon to make your appearance / before a coroner's jury, you may calculate on the pleasure you will afterwards receive, by the side of every / cover where you are known, to hear, in an under tone, such observations as, That is one of the most desperate / riders in the world, &c. ; and you will have the satisfction of knowing it to be true. Do something like all / this, and you may at last be taken for a real M. Inscribed in graphite on verso: "HRH 14 / 3A" and "8".
Paul Mellon Collection
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