372 UNIVERSAL ERUDITION: 



\VI. In the lad place-, there are fometime* 

 dances performed by marionetts, which arc 

 puppets that are moved by fprings, and while 

 they are in motion appear to be animated. Thefe 

 : to occafionally ufed by private and refpedtable 

 companies in the performing of fome farce, or 

 other dramatic piece. Reprefentations of this 

 fort are made on a fmall theatre, agreeable to 

 the fize of the marionetts. The operator who 

 directs their fprings is concealed behind the 

 fcenes, fo that the wooden actors only appear, and 

 who frequently imitate nature to a remarkable 

 degree. This is an entertainment in fact trivial 

 and imperfect enough, and where a certain per- 

 fonage, known by the name of punchinello, is- 

 the principal character , and who by his blun- 

 ders, and fometimes by his droll fatires, con- 

 tributes not a little to diffipate the fpectators 

 fpleen; while the fublime dramas, efpecially 

 thofe of the crying kind, plunge him into more 

 melancholy. 



XVII. Though there are in all languages 

 many excellent treatiies on the art of borjeman* 

 fbip, as thofc of the duke of Newcaftle, baron 

 Hochberg, M. Pluvinel, de la Gueriniere, &c. 

 yet this cxercife can never be well learned but 

 in the menage or riding fchool, under the di- 

 rection of an able matter, and by riding of ma- 

 naged horfes, as well in their natural as artificial 

 paces. To fit a horfe gracefully, to make him 

 eonform to all our defires, and to avoid all thofe 



accidents 



