4 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



caused by the habit of riding with the feet unsupport- 

 ed. Many ancient sculptures prove that the horsemen 

 of almost every country used to mount on the right 

 side of the animal, in order the better to grasp the 

 mane which hangs on that side. The practice is in- 

 variably reversed in modern days, and none but a Billy 

 Button would think of mounting on the off side, not- 

 withstanding the classical authority that may be alleged 

 for so doing. 



The ancient heroes generally leaped on their horses' 

 backs ; or their spear, if they carried one, had a loop, 

 or projection, about two feet from the bottom, which 

 served them as a step. The horse was sometimes 

 trained to lower his neck and back, or to kneel down 

 for his rider ; and both in Greece and Rome the local 

 magistracy were bound to see that blocks for mounting 

 from (what the Scotch call loupin-on-stanes) were 

 placed along the roads at convenient distances. The 

 great, however, thought it more dignified to use living 

 blocks, and to climb into their seats, by setting their 

 feet on the bent backs of their slaves ; and many who 

 could not command such costly help, used to carry a 

 light ladder about with them a curious piece of horse 

 furniture ! 



What a signal instance was given of the deep 

 humiliation into which Imperial Rome had fallen, 

 when a haughty Persian monarch mounted his horse 

 from the back of the Emperor Valerian ! The use of 



