[iii] 



THE 



TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. 



/T* is not 77iy Dejign^ in the 'Tajk I undertake of giving fome~ 

 Account of this Work^ as well as of the Art which is the 

 SubjeSi of ity to trace its Origin back into paji 'Tij?ies^ or 

 to wander in fear ch of it in the Darknefs a?id Confufon of re- 

 mote Antiquity. Let it fujfice to fay ^ that though its Beginnings, 

 as well as that of other Arts^ was imperfeB, yet its Ufe^ and 

 the Entertainmejit it affords, have been known and tafted in all 

 Ages. But however difli^iguifS d it may be by the Notice of the 

 Great, who have at all Times deign d to profefs and praSlife it ; it- 

 is yet lefs entitled to our Regard for thefe DiflinElions, than for thu 

 real Advantages we derive from it. Riding confifls of two Parts, 

 the ufeful and the ornamental. That the latter of thefe may be 

 difpenfed with, is mofl readily granted', but that it behoves every- 

 one who puts himfelf upon a Horfe to have fome Knowledge of the 

 firji, is mofl evident. — For who would trufl to the mercy of an 

 Animal that may prove wild and ungovernable, who knows hinfelf 

 to be incapable of controuling him, and of aSling for his own 

 Safety ? Who would venture alone into a Veffel, that can neither 

 row, nor manage a Sail, but 7nufl trujl e?itireiy to the Winds 

 a7id Tide ? Yet is this the Cafe with the Generality of Mankind,, 

 who are carried upon the Back of a Horfe, and think they ride. 



A 2_. Tm. 



