18 INTRODUCTION. 



the liistorical illustrations of equestrianism, given by 

 Audry, that the courtly dames of England did so, 

 about the middle of the seventeenth century. Our 

 author describes the figure, as being that of the Coun- 

 tess of Newcastle. 



It may be conjectured, that a single crutch, only, 

 for the advanced leg, was at first used ; and this, it is 

 not improbable, was fixed on the centre of the pommel, 

 as in the lady's saddle, now, or at least very lately, 

 common in some parts of Mexico ; where the women, 

 it would seem, ride with the left hand towards the 

 animal's head. This, also, appears to have been, some- 

 times, the case, down to a recent period, in our own 

 country ; for, in rather a modern description of the side- 

 saddle, the cratches are spoken of as being moveable, 

 in order to afford a lady, by merely changing their rela- 

 tive positions, the means of riding, as she might please, on 

 either side of her horse.* That a second crutch was used 

 about the middle of the last century (we are imable to 

 state how much earlier), in France, at least, is evident 

 from a plate of the lady's hunting saddle, at that period, 

 given by Garsault; in which, it is curious, a sort of 

 hold-fast is provided for the fair equestrian's right 



* Since writing the above, we have been assured by a friend, 

 that, within a few weeks past, he has seen several ladies, at 

 Brighton, seated on the wrong side of the horse. Side-saddles, 

 Avith moveable crutches, indeed, are now far from uncommon {to 

 our own knowledge), in saddlers' shops. 



