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those individuals, or nations, by whom, or where, the use of the bit and 

 hridlc were first discovered. That the discovery was of great antiquity 

 we know; since l)its are described by Xenophon, as consisting of two 

 species, the smooth and easy bit, Avhich seems to have been of the same 

 nature and form of our snaffle, and of another more powerful and sharp. 

 The mouth-piece is sometimes represented with the ornament of a boss 

 at each end, on which is the figure of a Horse's head, and some of these 

 bits appear to have branches ; but the curb, from the chain under the 

 chin, was a much later invention. The mild bit had its mouth-piece, or 

 cannon, quite smooth, and being equally thick with the present colt, or 

 mouthing bit, was extremely gentle in its effect, serving merely to 

 guide the Horse. Armed cavezons over the nose of the Horse, were also 

 then in use, very severe in their effects. Whips were implements of very 

 ancient date, and made of leathern thongs, the bristles of swine twisted 

 together, or of the sine^^'s of beasts. 



But tlie Greeks, and the Romans after them, had a very severe 

 and barbarous practice, which the moderns, even in Europe, haxe too 

 much imitated, of torturing their Horses with bits, at the severity 

 of which, humanity shudders, and common sense and utility are de- 

 graded. These rough bits were denominated by the Romans, Liipi 

 or Lupatri, wolf-bits, the mouth-j)iece being armed with sharp points of 

 iron, ranged like teeth in the jaw of that animal. Even their whips 

 had often iron spikes, or spurs, inserted in the handle-end, resembling in 

 form the sting in the tail of a Scorpion, whence these unfair instruments 

 of correction were styled Scorjjiones. Human delinquents were also 

 chastized with these, by harbarous aiitiquity, hence the threat of 

 the Jewish king — ' My father chastized you with Avhips, but I will chas- 

 tize you with scorpions.'— Cruel and unfair scourges have been used in 

 modern times upon the continent; and even in England, such things may 

 yet be recollected, as Avell as severe and lacerating bits; abominations 

 universally rejected, and abhorred by superior rationality and feel- 

 ing in the present times. The same remark may be made of the detest- 

 able and useless cruelties practised by the ancient Romans upon resiiif, 

 and even dull and sluggish Horses, Avhich have been too much followed 

 by modern nations, and even with infamous additions. The moral 



Seneca 



