Irishmen, as far as I have seen of them, are, like horses, bundles of nerves; and you must manage them, as you do with all nervous creatures, with firmness, but good temper.

You must never get into a fury of the nerves yourself with them.

Spur and whip they don't want; they'll be off with you in a jiffy if you try it.
They want the bridle-rein.

That seems to me the secret of Irish character.

We English are not bad horsemen.