MARKHAM. SNAPE. FRANCE. ^60, 



journey, from the outrageous treatment their feet were 

 subjected to, as well as from the terrible basin-shaped 

 clumsy shoes, is fully evidenced by the numerous re- 

 cipes this admirable horseman gives for ' stoppings ' to be 

 applied while travelling. We have also directions ' how 

 to helpe the surbating or sorenesse in the feete.' These are, 

 as might be expected, on a par with the general manage- 

 ment of the hapless organs. ' When you find your horse 

 to be surbated, presently clap into each of his fore-feet 

 two new-layd eggs, and crush them therein, then upon 

 the toppe of them lay good store of cow-dung ; thus stop 

 him (or, rather, the horse's feet), and in foure houres he 

 will recover.' 



It is not until we arrive at the 1 8th century, that any- 

 thing worthy of notice occurs relative to this subject, in 

 England. It may be mentioned, however, that the 17th 

 century produced the first treatise on the Anatomy 

 of the Horse, by Snape (London, 1683), farrier to his 

 Majesty King Charles II., a very estimable work, and 

 one which did good service in drawing attention to the 

 value of anatomy, particularly with regard to the horse's 

 foot. 



In France, in the 15th century, the community of 

 marechaux comprised the marechaux fer rants and the 

 marechaux grossiers. The latter were only carriage- 

 smiths, and had nothing to do with horses. The maitrises, 

 or ' trade freedoms ' were, however, abolished in February, 

 1776, and the farriers stood upon their own proper de- 

 signation. In the following August, the trade companies 

 were again formed, and the marechcmx ferrants were 

 classed with the eperomiiers or spur and bit makers ; an 



