312 SOME GENERAL REMARKS. 



collect himself, is a sight to make an angel 

 weep, or a man of ordinary sensibility 

 swear ! 



Good hands denote not merely an acquaint- 

 ance with a horse's powers and proclivities, 

 and a quick and rapid concert with the same; 

 but a sympathetic give-and-take sort of 

 touch, which while restraining and con- 

 trolling him, does not worry the animal, or 

 impede the free carriage of his head and 

 neck. Hear Gervase Markham, an ex- 

 perienced horseman of the reign of James I., 

 on this point ; whose words, written so long 

 ago, are well worthy their survival to the 

 present day : 



" This slight precept I will bestow upon him (the rider 

 or driver) that he have a constant sweete hand upon his 

 horse's mouth, by no means losing the feeling thereof, 

 but observing that the horse does rest upon his bit and 

 carry his head and rein in a good and comely fashion ; 

 for to goe with his head loose, or to have no feeling of 

 the bit, is both uncomely to the eye and takes from the 

 horse all delight in his labour." 



