CHAPTER XI. WITH BELGIAN OFFICERS.

I WAS giving performances at Brussels, when Count d'Oultremont asked me to give an exhibition with my horses at the Royal Circle of which he was president.

He expressed the desire that this performance would be accompanied by explanatory remarks, " Your ' aids ' are so delicate," he said to me, " that we do not always see the precise means you arrive at a result which we witness. We wish to know how you obtain so much with such a small effort. Give us explanations."

The exhibition took place one afternoon in the month of December, 1890. All the superior officers who were members of the Circle were present. I worked my horses, but not as in a public show. Sometimes placing my mount in a good position to obtain the desired result under correct conditions ; sometimes placing him in a bad position, in order to show its fallacy by making a mistake ; I accompanied each part of the work by explanations, which were practically confirmed on the spot.

After the performance, the officers of the second regiment of Guides asked me, through Commandant Five, to be good enough to make out a course of instruction for their use. I accepted with great pleasure, and the riding school of the 2nd Guides was placed at my disposal every day from ten