The Military Duties of the Officers of Cavalry, Containing the way of exercising the Horse,; According to the practice of this present time. The motions of Horse, the Functions of the several Officers, from the chief Captain, to the Brigadeer

London: Robert Harford, 1678. First. hardcover. very good. Engraved frontispiece and 2 folding plates; second plate lacking the final panel. [12], 147pp including the license leaf before title. Small 8vo (measures 9.5 x 15.5 cm), full contemporary calf (well-rubbed but sound). London: Robert Harford, 1678. Scarce. Very good. Translated from the French, this is the first and only edition in English. --Wing L178.<br/> <br/> An interesting and uncommon book with sections on how to fight horse against horse, horse against foot, foot against horse, etc. Aside from the damaged plate, this is a very good copy in an early leather binding with several decorative 18th century ink ownership signatures. Another lengthy contemporary inscription on preliminary page states in flowery hand: "To the Right Honble The Earld of Portland on of his mats honble Privie Councell and Chfe Ranger of the parkes and fforest of Wrafor? and Keeper of his Privie Seale." Thomas Weston, the 4th Earl of Portland (1609-1688) served as Colonel in the Royalist Army and was taken prisoner at Rowton Heath in 1645... unfortunately this book was not published prior to that time, as it might have come in handy.<br/> <br/>