Page:Xenophon by Alexander Grant.djvu/169

Rh for lessening human toil in agricultural operations. In lieu of such things, or even of the special processes of the ancients, Xenophon gives us a picture of an ideal gentleman farmer, who keeps his body vigorous by active and temperate habits, who practises his horse across country a good deal, and who is a great "ruler of men," having the desirable qualification of making others work for him cheerfully and efficiently.

Xenophon's three remaining treatises on 'Horsemanship,' on 'Cavalry Management,' and on 'Hunting,' cannot be accused of superficiality. They treat of their respective subjects in a thorough spirit, and are evidently the work of a man writing con amore about his favourite topics. The 'Horsemanship' has been much admired by those who have read it from a professional point of view. It gives rules first for choosing a horse, and afterwards for grooming, mounting, sitting, and managing him. In order to avoid being cheated in the purchase of a horse, Xenophon tells the reader that he must observe the points of the animal, beginning with the feet as the most important of all. He specifies the properties to be approved and condemned in the hoof, and from this ascends to the legs, and all the other points in a horse's body. If a horse is not a mere colt, his age must be looked to, "for a horse that has no longer the marks in his teeth neither delights the buyer with hope, nor is so easy to be exchanged." If he is already broken, sufficient trial must be made of his paces, mouth, and temper; and if a war-horse is wanted, we must try especially his powers of leaping.