OF HORSEMANSHIP. 43 



other contrivance they alluded, if this flaould not be 

 allowed, a more able and more fortunate enquirer may, 

 perhaps, difcover ; in the mean time it feems to be 

 the more probable fide of the queftion to conclude, 

 that they were not known to the ancients. Hippo- 

 crates obferves, that the Scythians, who were much on 

 horfeback, were troubled with defluxions and fwellings 

 in their legs, occafioned by their dependent pofture, 

 and the want of fomething to fuflain their feet. Had 

 flirrups been known, this inconvenience could not 

 have been urged ; and this proof, joined to the foregoing 

 arguments, feems to outweigh thofe which are brought 

 to fupport the contrary opinion. 



As the moft meritorious part of the horfe's cha- 

 radter was his fervice in war ; the Greeks were very 

 nice and fcrupulous in this particular, and before any 

 were admitted into their troops, flri6lly examined their 

 qualities and difpolitions ; rejecting thofe whofe talents 

 and properties did not come up to a certain degree of 

 merit required of them. The method of trying their 

 courage and temper, was by ringing a Bell, and making 

 other loud and fudden noifes ; and by their behaviour 



they were fixed fo as to fupport the rider's legs while the horfe was in 

 motion. This praftice probably did not obtain till faddles were invented, 

 to which they could be faftened with firmnefs and fecurity. This ex- 

 planation coincides with, and confirms the conjefture of Montfaucon. 



Vide Hoffman. Lex. Art. Staffa. — Jo. Molinet. Itin. Neap. — 

 Gorop. Bee. Gall, lib, ii. p. 49. — DuFrefne in Glof. &Notis ad Cinn. — 

 V. eundem DifTert. ad Joinville. — Euftat. OdyfTey, A. n. 155. — 

 Sueton, in Calig. 



G 2 under 



