CHAPTER II. — Action of the Fast Trotter. 



More than two hundred years ago, the Duke of Newcastle de- 

 scribed the trot in the following words, which are copied literally 

 from his " New Method to Dress Horses : " 



" Secondly. In a Trott. The Action of his Leggs, is, Two Leggs 

 in the Ayre, and Two Leggs upon the Ground, at the same Time 

 moved Cross; Fore and Hinder Leg Cross; which is the Motion of his 

 Leggs a Swifter Walk : For, in a Walk, and a Trott, the Motion of the 

 Horses Legges are all one, which his Leggs make Cross, Two in the. 

 Ayre Cross, and Two upon the Ground Cross, at the same time ;. 

 Fore-Legg and Hinder-Legg Cross ; and every Remove changes his. 

 Leggs ; Cross : as those that were in the Ayre Cross, are now Set 

 Down, and those that were upon the Ground Cross, are now puU'd 

 up in the Ayre Cross. And this is the Just Motion of a Horse's. 

 Leggs in a Trott." Making due allowance for the quaint form of 

 expression, capitals and italics, the trot is accurately described and 

 the diagonal motions correctly given. 



It is safe to say the "Thrice Noble, High and Puissant PPvINCE, 

 WILLIAM CAVENDISHE," as he is styled on the title page, never 

 saw a fast trot, or he would have given a fuller description, as he 

 dwells on the action of the gallop, describing it just as accurately as. 

 any of the latter day writers befoi-e instantaneous photography was, 

 known. 



The first series of photographs — those which are mounted on cards, 

 and which were for sale by Mr. Muybridge — contained twelve repre- 

 sentations. The cameras wei-e placed twenty-one inches apai't, with, 

 the vertical lines on the background twenty -one inches apart, and 

 three horizontal lines, marking four, eight and twelve inches of ele- - 

 ration. In the later series the cameras were doubled, but as none 

 of the latter have been offered for sale yet, I will confine the expla- 



