OF HORSEMANSHIP. 165 



as the firft market for all forts of horfes. This place 

 was originally -called Smooth-field, planus cam-pus & re & 

 nomine, from its being a fmooth level piece of ground, 

 and therefore fet apart as a proper fpot, on which to 

 Ihew and exercife horfes. Without one of the gates 

 of the city, fays the hiftorian, is a certain field, plain 

 ov fmooth, both in Name and Situation. Every Friday (as 

 at prefent) except fome greater fellival intervene, there 

 is a fine fight of horfes brought to be fold. Many come 

 out of the city to buy or look on j to wit, earls, bar- 

 rons, knights, and citizens. It is a pleafant fight to 

 behold the horfes there, all gay and fleek, moving up 

 and down, fonae in the Amble, and fome in the Trot, 

 which latter pace, although rougher to the rider, is 

 better fuited to men who bear arms. Here alfo are 

 colts, yet ignorant of the bridle, which prance and 

 bound, and give early figns of fpirit and courage. 

 Here likewife are maneged, or War-horfes, (DextrariiJ of 

 elegant fhape, full of fire, and giving every proof of 

 a generous and noble temper. Horfes likewife for the 

 cart, dray, and plough are to be found here ; mares 

 big with foal, and others with their colts wantonly 

 running by their fides. 



Every Sunday in Lent, after dinner, a company of 

 young men ride out into the fields on horfes which are ' 

 fit for war, and excellent for their fpeed. Every one 

 among ihem is taught to run the Rounds with his 

 horfe. The citizens fons ifTue out through the gates 

 by troops, furnifhed with launces and fliields : the 



younger. 



