OF HORSEMANSHIP. 19^- 



which enjoins the ufe of Bitts inftead of fnaffles, which, 

 at that time, were ufed in the army. The procla- 

 mation fets forth, that his Majefty iSnding by experi- 

 ence, that fuch horfes as are employed in the fervice, 

 are more apt and fit to be managed by fuch as fliall 

 ride them, being accuftomed to the Bitt, than the Snaffle^ 

 he, therefore, ftridtly charges and commands, that no 

 perfon (other than fuch only as his Majefty, in refpe<5l 

 of their attendance on his royal perfon, in times of 

 Difport, or othewife, fliall licence thereunto) £hall in 

 riding ufe any Snaffles, but Bitts only. 



This regulation was judicious, for bitts were more 

 becoming, and better fuited to the troops, as fnaffles 

 are in general fitter for times of Difport, by which (it 

 is prefumed) racing and hunting were meant, and for 

 which they were referved. 



The fondnefs for Englifli horfes among the French, 

 which began in the preceding reign, continued in this, 

 and the Englifli underftood the merit of their own 

 horfes fo well, as to be prudently jealous of their ex- 

 portation, and encreafe in the French dominions, as 

 appears from the following extracSt from the lately 

 primed journals of the Houfe of Lords ; viz. 



" Die Sabbati 16 Die Jnlii, 1645. Dom. Proc. 



" It was moved, at the requcft of the French agent, 

 *' that a pafs may be granted, for tranfporting twelve 

 " horfes and two mares into France for the Duke of 

 '' Orleans : and it is ordered, that he fliall have leave to 



C c 2 " tranfport 



