Editor's Preface xxi 



Methode et Invention Nouvelle de Dresser les Chevaux. It is a 

 magnificent folio, with two title-pages and 42 fine plates. The 

 Marquis wrote in English, but had his work translated into 

 French for publication 1 . 



A letter which is printed in the Appendix shows that it was 

 owing to the help of his two friends, Sir Hugh Cartwright and 

 Mr. Loving, that Newcastle was able to produce so sumptuous 

 an edition of his book. In the numerous diagrams which 

 adorn it, we see the Duke and Captain Mazin alternately- 

 exhibiting the various figures of their art in the riding-house. 

 Other plates represent Newcastle himself performing ' capri- 

 olles ' and ' balottades ' before the windows of Welbeck, or 

 under the towers of Bolsover. The frontispiece pictures 

 him mounted and upon a pedestal, crowned by flying Cupids, 

 with verses beneath stating that if he were to mount ' un 

 diable tres robuste ' it would become immediately as docile 

 as one of his own trained steeds. One emblematic design 

 displays the author driving a chariot drawn by centaurs 

 through a circle of kneeling horses ; in another he is seen 

 flying on a winged horse betwixt heaven and earth, below are 

 submissively adoring horses, whilst from above the gods look 

 down and admire. The verses attached to this last picture 

 are so much superior to most of those supplied by Mons. D. V., 

 the poet employed by the Duke, that they deserve quotation : 



II monte avec la main, les eperons et gaule, 

 Le cheval de Pegase qui voile, en capriole ; 

 II monte si haut qu'il touche de sa tete les cieux, 

 Et par ses merveilles ravit en extases les Dieux. 

 Les chevaux corruptibles qui la bas sur terre sont, 

 En courbettes demi-airs, terre a terre vont, 

 Avec humilite soumission et bassesse, 

 L'adorer comme Dieu auteur de leur addresse. 



When the Duke returned from exile he continued to occupy 

 himself with his favourite pursuit. ' In his old age ', writes 

 his wife, ' though he doth not ride himself, as he hath done, 

 yet he takes delight in seeing his horses of manage rid by his 

 escuyers, whom he instructs in that art for his own pleasure.' 

 In 1667 he published a second book, under the following 



1 According to Lowndes (ed. Bohn) the book was published in 1657, and the printed 

 title is sometimes altered by hand to 1658. But the copies I have myself seen are dated 

 1658. The Duke's first draft of the book is preserved at Welbeck. 



