40 THE HISTORY AND ART 



trolling the horfe ; and hence is derived the fuppofed 

 origin of bridles ; which, in after-ages, have been 

 multiplied in fuch numbers, and under fuch a variety 

 of fliapes, increafing and improving, as men grew 

 more fkilful in riding, and applied it to fundry pur- 

 pofes. It is certain, that the ancient Greeks were ac- 

 quainted with the ufe of fpurs, ^s well as that they had 

 a covering for their legs when on horfeback, which 

 anfwered the intentpn of our boots. Xenophon, 

 in his treatife on horfemanfhip, mention both thefe 

 appurtenances. Neverthelefs no trace of the former 

 remains upon any flatue, or monument which have 

 reached thefe times, and is an omiffion of the ancient 

 fculptors not eafily accounted for, unlefs we conclude 

 with Montfaucon, that they did not think tliem worth 

 their notice. That learned and accurate antiquary 

 has preferved the figure of one, as well as of an an- 

 cient bitt, in his valuable colleflion. It does not ap- 

 pear, however, from this diligent enquirer, of what 

 country his fpur and bitt are the invention. Nor is it 

 quite certain, that what he calls a bitt, is really one, 

 and he leaves it to the reader to determine. It is of an 

 uncouth form, and bears no refemblance to thofc which 

 are ftill to be feen on Trajan's pillar, and elfewhere. 

 It has neither branches nor curb, and may not impro- 

 perly be called a Snofle ; the mouth-piece is ornamented 

 at each end, with two bofles, reprefenting ah horfe's 

 head. Not but that there are fome which appear to 

 liavc branches ; but curbs or chains under the chin are 



no 



