without exception. There is a great value in schools; for, making due allowance for individuality, they enable us to form a correct estimate of what the scholars can do. For instance, in "welters" we impose penalties on professional jocks, because we know that they have been trained in a certain school; whereas we have no standard of comparison for gentlemen-riders.

It is proposed to illustrate this portion of the book with drawings of horsemen, representing various styles of European and Asiatic riding, taken from portraits, photographs, and pictures executed by artists who had no preconceived theories to bolster up, and picked nearly at random from such materials as were available. They will be found to confirm, in a remarkable manner, the truth of the general principles laid down, as well by their discrepancies as their points of resemblance, and will no doubt prove interesting to many readers in other respects.

The European cavalry soldier is compelled to put on his horse's back, in addition to his own weight and that of the saddle, the extra burden of a huge pack of things forming his kit. It is obvious that the most careful adjustment of the rider and saddle to the general equilibrium of himself and horse will avail little if the balance be destroyed from the moment the pack is put on; nor will it do to make this merely a counterpoise to the rider, because he is frequently required to ride either in an empty saddle or with various amounts of pack, therefore the equilibrium must be at all times maintainable, whatever the absolute weight may be. The neglect of this is one of the main causes of the sore-back disasters that usually occur at the commencement of a campaign, and, to the great astonishment

of the uninitiated, frequently nearly disappear in the further course of it.

There is another great difference between the conditions under which the soldier and the civilian mount their horses, the former being compelled to ride with one hand, and have the other free to use his weapons; besides, his life frequently depends on a rapid change of direction at various degrees of speed, and which he must be able to effect without great effort. The way in which the pack is placed on the saddle has much to do with this, as will appear when we come to the subject of "Bits and Bitting." All these matters shall be treated in a separate chapter, and illustrated by figures.

The second part of the work is devoted to "Bits and Bitting." There is much more in this than most people may be willing to believe. A ship with a damaged or badly-constructed and ill-fitting rudder is not more awkward and difficult to manage than a horse with a bit that is not perfectly adapted to his mouth and his whole frame, or which has been ill placed. It will be necessary here to refer again to the horse's skeleton, and point out the beautiful series of levers, and the wonderful lever action, by means of which, in conjunction with the seat and legs of the rider, his will may be conveyed from his little finger through the reins, bit, head, and neck of the horse, down to the very last joint of its hind legs, in the, to the animal, most unmistakable and peremptory manner.

Although bitting finds its place here after saddling, this is not because of its being a secondary consideration, but rather because no man can have a light hand, or, in fact, use any bit properly, unless he have so steady and close a seat as to put all suspicion of what

is technically termed "rein-riding" out of the question. This self-same rein-riding-that is, the depending to any extent on the reins for maintaining the seat—is but too common, and a frequent cause of restiveness in horses, and no end of disasters to riders. It must be admitted that a certain exaggerated method of rising in the stirrups and totally abandoning all contact with the saddle, in which Sunday and holiday riders so much delight, conduces very directly to this. Of course no good rider cares to perform this description of equestrian antic; still it is sufficiently common, even amongst men who should know better, to demand attention, and is noticed here for the sake of illustrating the close connection that exists between bitting and saddling.

The mechanical principles on which the action of the bit depends form the first subject of inquiry. Then we shall have to examine into the internal and external conformation of the horse's mouth to which this instrument is applied; we shall thence be enabled to deduce the dimensions of the several parts of the bit, and also ascertain its proper place. Some few of these dimensions are nearly constant-others, again, are variable, and the proper means for ascertaining them shall be pointed out. The use of the snaffle, the running-reins, the nose-band, and other contrivances, demands some attention, as also the real and supposed advantages of various kinds of bits.

The third and last part of the book is devoted to the "Prevention and Cure of Restiveness." Violent measures are seldom successful for the latter purpose, and more likely to produce than to prevent insubordination. In fact, what is generally required is a com

plete course of re-training, under circumstances different from those under which the restiveness is usually exhibited. The question then arises, On what system this re-training should be undertaken—the usual English one, or some modification of the school method? The first named, taken alone, is inadequate to the purpose; if for no other reason, from being generally carried out on the roads, fields, &c.-that is to say, just where provocation and opportunity for conflicts present themselves at every corner. Nevertheless, it

has its own peculiar advantages, which should be utilised. The school method is much better adapted for the correction of restiveness, because it affords more direct and efficient means for acquiring perfect control over the horse's movements. It is, however, from a judicious combination of the two systems that the best results may be hoped for. We shall, therefore, give first a general sketch of the principles of both, pointing out as we proceed how each may be best applied for the object in view, as also for that of getting over difficulties with horses that are not restive. We shall next lay down the outlines of a method applicable in nearly all cases of insubordination; and, finally, specify for some particular forms of restiveness the treatment that promises the best results; as also what should be avoided-for very much depends on this. In a word, we propose showing that a rational methodical treatment of what is called vice offers much better chances of success than violent measures and with this general statement of the aim and object of this treatise we now conclude our introductory chapter.