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CHAP. XL. 



ON SADDLES, AND SADDLE-CL0TH5. 



THE saddle being so necessary for the ease 

 of the rider, as well as for the comfort of the 

 horse, it will be proper to take notice of the 

 different forms which at various times they 

 have assumed ; and perhaps there is no article 

 in such general use that has received a greater 

 portion of refinement. Saddles were formerly 

 appendages of the most clumsy and unwieldy 

 nature ; and though it be true that they were in 

 some measure adapted to the size of the horses 

 then used for the purposes of pleasure, and for 

 cavalry, they were nevertheless much heavier 

 than occasion demanded. In these later times, 

 however, when smaller horses have been 

 thought adequate to lighter labours, the saddle 

 has also been proportionably diminished, and is 



