OF HORSEMANSHIP. 9 



opinions and fancy might influence, or circumftances 

 require. I muft beg leave, however, in advancing 

 thefe notions, to confine myfelf to the earlieft periods 

 in which the horfe is mentioned, and to what may be 

 collefted concerning it in the Old Teftament. There we 

 learn, that Egypt was the land ta which mankind are 

 indebted for the equeftrian art ; but the period of 

 time, in which it was firft pracflifed, cannot fo eafily 

 be afcertained. A learned and inquifitive writer * 

 fixes it at the time of Jacob's coming into that country: 

 but notwithftanding that he has dived into the fubjeft 

 with great ability and diligence, yet he has brought up 

 nothing very valuable, or equal to the pains which he 

 mufl have employed in the fearch ; fince he can go no 

 farther than to prove, that the ufe of horfes was known 

 at the time of Jacob's coming into Egypt, but for want 

 of authorities, can have no right to aflert, that it was 

 not known till about that time : for 



rixere fortes ante j^gamemnona 

 Multi, fed omnes illacbrymabilei 

 UrgentUKf ignotigue longd 

 NoBCi carent quia vatefacro- 



Hor. lib. 4. carm. ode 9. 



Heroes as brave as fam'd Mycsene's king, 

 Shone great in fight, e'er he was known f 



But they no poets had their arms to fing, 

 And make immortal their renown : 



* Recherches fur I'epoque de Tequitation. 

 Vol. I. C They 



