coNCLUsioisr. 125 



fortune, succeeding to that of birth, is very willing to 

 possess the advantages of the latter, but would dispense 

 with the onerous obligations which appertained to an 

 elevated rank. The desire of showing off in public places, 

 or motives still more frivolous, sometimes lead gentlemen 

 of our times to commence the study of horsemanship, 

 but, soon wearied of a work without satisfactory results, 

 they find only a monotonous fatigue where they sought 

 a pleasure, and are satisfied they know enough as soon as 

 they can stick passably well in the saddle. So insufficient 

 a knowledge of horsemanship, as dangerous as it is 

 thoughtless, must necessarily occasion sad accidents. 

 They then become disgusted with horsemanship and 

 horses, and as nothing obliges them to continue the 

 exercise, they give it up nearly altogether, and so much 

 the more easily as they naturally care very little about 

 the breeds of horses and their perfection. We must 

 then, as a preliminary measure in the improvement of 

 horses, raise up horsemanship from the low state into 

 which it has fallen. The government can undoubtedly do 

 much here ; but it is for the masters of the art to supply, 

 if necessary, what it leaves undoDe. Let them render 

 attractive and to the purpose studies which have hitherto 

 been too monotonous and often barren ; let rational and 

 true principles make the scholar see a real progress, that 

 each of his efibrts brings a syccess with it ; and we will 

 soon see young persons of fortune become passionately 

 fond of an exercise which has been rendered as interest- 

 ing to them as it is noble, and discover, with their love for 

 horses, a lively solicitude for all that concerns their 

 qualities and education. 



But horsemen can aim at still more brilliant results. 

 If they succeed in rendering easy the education of com- 

 mon horses, they will make the study of horsemanship 



