TBANSLATOR S PREFACE. 



" Since the first publication of my method, indisputa- 

 ble facts have attested the truth of the principles therein 

 contained. Field-Marshal the Minister of War has ap- 

 pointed a commission, presided over by Lieutenant-Gen- 

 eral the Marquis Oudinot, to examine into its advantages.* 



" Fifty horses, some from the troop, and others be- 

 longing to officers, which had not yet commenced their 

 education, or which were considered difficult to manage, 

 or vicious, were subjected to thetexperiment, which com- 

 menced on the 21st March, 1842. The demands of the 

 service of the garrison of Paris permitting only a small 

 number of cuirassiers, municipal guards, and first-class 

 lancers to be put at the disposition of the commission, 

 nearly all the horses were intrusted to riders who were 

 by no means intelligent, or else whose education was not 

 very much advanced. The riders themselves exercised 

 their horses. On the 9th of April — that is to say, after 

 fifteen lessons — Field-Marshal the Minister of War wished 

 to witness the results of the system he had ordered to be 

 tried. His Excellency was accompanied by the members 

 of the committee of cavalry, and many other general 

 officers. The men being completely armed and equipped, 

 and the horses caparisoned, they executed, individually 

 and in troop, at all the paces, movements that, up to this 

 time, had only been required of horses that had been 

 exercised for five or six months under experienced riders. 

 The Minister of War followed all the trials with the 

 greatest interest, and before retiring expressed his com- 

 plete satisfaction, and announced his intention of having 

 a general application of it made in the army." 



* "The commission was composed of Lieutenant-General Oudinot, Col. 

 Carrelet, Commander of the Muaicipal Guard, the Chef d'Escadrons De Nov- 

 ital, commanding the Cavalry Riding -School, and the Captain- instructors de- 

 Gues, of tlie 5tli CuirasaierB, and De Mesanges, of the 3d Lancers." 



