RESTIVE.
(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, 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.
F. S. Q.