216 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER 



full speed up to a post previously prepared, and 

 made the horse execute a complete wheel round it, 

 while, with his right arm extended at full length, 

 he kept one finger just touching the post. Having 

 completed the circuit, a demi-volte was executed, the 

 reins were transferred to the right hand, and with- 

 out pause the horse wheeled round the post in the 

 opposite direction, the rider keeping a finger of the 

 other hand in contact with it.' 



The Oriental nations, Moors, Turks, Egyptians 

 and Persians, are good horsemen, and once on the 

 back of a horse, it is not easy for the animal to dis- 

 lodge his rider if he chances to be tolerably well 

 schooled in riding. His late Majesty George IV., 

 when Prince of Wales, witnessed a specimen of 

 Egyptian horsemanship, which is thus described by 

 one who was present : 



* On the 10th of November, 1803, a grand enter- 

 tainment was given to his Excellency Elfi Bey, and a 

 number of other distinguished visitors, by his Royal 

 Highness the Prince of Wales. The conversation 

 turning upon the very excellent equestrian powers of 

 the Mamelukes and Turks, the Prince said : "I have 

 now in my stud an Egyptian horse so wild and un- 

 governable that he will dismount the best horseman 

 in Elfi Bey's retinue." The Bey replied in Italian 

 to the Prince : " I shall gratify your Royal High- 

 ness's curiosity to-morrow." An appointment con- 

 sequently took place next day at two o'clock in the 



