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CHAP. XIII.]
Riding Belts and Hats.
215

throughout the whole depth on each side, and this will enable them to be fastened firmly round the body. A shaped band may also be knitted or crocheted out of coarse Berlin wool, as mentioned in the same place; and the elasticity of this will also permit it to fit closely, and make a firm, yet pliable support. These belts may be worn with or without corsets.

Fig. 18.

The best belt I have seen for riding is, however, that shown in the figure below. It is made by Mr. Bourne, of silk elastic loosely woven so that there is proper allowance for transpiration, and has but three whalebones in front, which may be removed if desired; the bones at the back should be retained, as they give support just where it is wanted in riding.

For riding, as for other exercises, the body should be clothed entirely in wool. The habit should invariably be lined with flannel, and this plan is successfully adopted by my own tailor, to whose work I shall presently refer. The trousers as well as the jacket may be thus lined throughout, and when this is done, all the underclothing that is required is woollen combinations, with perhaps the belt as described, or the belt and stays in the case of those inclined to embonpoint.

The conventional "chimney-pot" hat answers no profitable purpose, and catches the breeze when