(Vol. v., p. 535.)
I am inclined to think that your correspondents, however deeply they may be
versed in "Folk-Lore," are generally not much acquainted with "Horse-Lore."
Such, at least, is the opinion that is warranted by the extraordinary
nature of the questions (not many in number, it is true) which have been
put in relation to that subject, and of the replies that have been given to
them. In the case now before us, J. R. has only superficially considered
the matter. He takes one out of many definitions "in our dictionaries," and
on that takes his stand. He is manifestly in error. The tempting facility
of referring all words similar in appearance to the same etymon lies at the
root of his mistake; for _restive_, as he will find on more patient
investigation, is by our lexicographers (Richardson, for example) classed
under a different root from _rest_, used to express _quiescence_, or
_repose_. _Restive_, or more properly _restiff_, is equivalent to the
French _rétif_, or Italian _restio_; and, as applied to horses, means those
which resist the will of their rider. Hence, whether in standing stock
still, in running away, in rearing, in plunging, or in kicking, they employ
their natural means of defence against the control of the cavalier, and may
equally be called _restiff_. In support of this view, take the following
quotation, to which others might be added. It is from Grisone, _Ordini di
Cavalcare_, 4to., 1550:
"Se il cavallo è restio, il più delle volte procede per colpa del
Cavaliero, per una di questi ragioni. Overo il Cavallo è vile, e di
poca forza, e essendo troppo molestato si abandona e avvilisce di sorte
che accorando non vuole caminare avante; over è superbo, e gagliardo, e
dandogli fatica, egli mancandogli un poco di lena, si prevalerà con
salti, e con aggrupparsi, e con altre malignità, ò fara pur questo dal
principio che si cavalca, di maniera che se allora conoscerà chi il
Cavaliero lo teme, {615} prenderà tant' animo, che usando molte
ribalderie, si fermerà contra la volontà sua; _e di queste due Specie
di Restii_ [which J. R. will be pleased to _note_], la peggior è quella
che nasce da viltà, e da poca forza."--Folio 92, verso.
Thus much for the equestrian part of the subject. With regard to the use of
the word _restive_ by the author of the _Eclipse of Faith_, that is purely
a matter of taste, which it is unnecessary here to discuss; but I hope that
the foregoing opinion of one who in his day passed for the most
accomplished horseman of Europe, will suffice to show that, in the passage
quoted, the term is not so entirely misapplied as J. R. supposes.