^>vt-^ ->!^S dookery — Fecdiug. no (loiil)l of the eflect it iiiiist have had upon their humblo and |)ioLis hearers. The Hkn Plieasantis most juicy and fine tlavoured, and I can recom- mend on experience, Mr. Daniel's metiiod of roastini; an oUl Cock, of itself dry, hard, ami des- titute of flavour. After tlue keeping, stuff" the Bird, with the lean of the inside of a Sirloin of IJeef, cut into thin Dice, and well seasoned; the Gravy issuing from the jieef, gradually difl\ises itself through the flesh of the Game, and renders it mellow and iuicy. We formerly, in Suflolk, as a change, made the addition of Oysters to the Cjravy for Hare ami Pheasant. It is true to a certain degree that, Pheasants are shy and sullen, and cannot he tamed. I have in vain attempted to tame them in Walks, with com- mon Hens, fiut it is liljerty only which they crave; not generally, if well fed or in good Grounds, to rove to a great distance. On the contrary, if well 'iGiX and attended in W^oods and Preserves, they will attend as regularly for their meals as domesticated Poultry', walking up to the Keeper, and pecking u|) Peas thrown down to them. Small troughs, about four feet long, are most con- venient for the feeding Coverts ; and white Peas, Tares, and small Pigeon Beans the proper Grain, the Peas more especially. Ruck Wheat, so often given, is neither so substantial and nourishing, nor so well relished by the Pheasants. Slips of Ruta- boga may be also sown for them, if none in the Vicinitv. The Cocks cro}c the first Week in Crosses — Change of Se.v. 2*^9 March, and in favourable Seasons, some of the Broods are very early. They will mix with the common Hen, very readily, in their wild state, on any convenient opportunity, but not alvva3^s, or perhaps but seldom, in confinement. It is a popu- lar error to suppose such products to be Hybrid or Mule, and the same with respect to the produce of the Canary and Goldfinch, which mixture will re- produce or breed as well as the entire kinds. How should it be otherwise, since all these are of the same Genus ? The Pheasant is truly a game Bird, and the fine plumage of our Game Fowls, is a plain indication of Pheasant Crosses. To change, as Hudibras has it — ' their Sex like Hares,' is an allusion to an old story of the Hare, long since exploded ; but the fact is thoroughly established that, Pheasant Hens sometimes actu- ally assume the Attributes of the other Sex, as far as Plumage can confer them. Such Hens on moulting, produce a full Suit of Cock Feathers, and cannot well be distinguished from Cocks. — Neither the Naturalists nor Anatomists have at- tempted any solution of this Phenomenon. It ap- pears an effect of the cessation of the procreative or generative faculty, but it? not entirely confined to the aged Hen, young ones occasionally being sub- ject to it. All are thenceforth barren, and should be taken from Preserves, as soon as distinguished, being extremely mischievous, not only sucking the Eggs, but tearing the Young to pieces like Hawks. It is generally necessary, likewise, to keep under 230 rruducliventas of t/ic P/tiasanl — the number of Cocks. Some Device is wanted, to prevent Pheasants and Birds from nesting in Grasses that are to be mowed, where such num- bers are annually destroyed. SufTolk and Norfolk are famous for Pheasants, and the best Pheasant Shooting the present Writer ever enjoyed, was in the former County. To ad- dress myself once more to the Alarmists on the score of a Game Famine, in case of an extension of the Trigger Franchise ; little lear need be enter- tained in resj)ect to the Pheasant, when its vast productiveness is considered, and when the fact among so many and similar may be adduced, that, on the Suffolk Manorsof Mr. Thelluson, they could afford to kill two thousand Brace of Cocks annu- ally, and yet keep up their full breeding stock. — Furze seeds should be sown in hedges as among the best Covert for Pheasants. Pheasants, like Partridges, lie upon Corn and Stubbles, as long as any food is to be found, and in the neighbouring Coverts, or Hedge Rows. They are there seen at feeding times, Morning and Evening. The l^heasant, a great lover of Salt, seems to have considerable attachment to the Sea Shore, and to Marsh Land where is cover for them, and there could be no better situation for Preserves, supposing plenty of Wood to be within a reason- able distance of the Shore. Manors so situated might produce immense quantities of this Species of Game, as it is said the Salt they there obtain, greatly increases their powers of propagation, and Their IJaunts — Food — Preservation. 231 attaches them to the Neighbourhood ; indeed, they will multiply to the satisfaction of the utmost de- sire, where well fed, in spite of the usual distur- bance of the Gun, being very seldom inclinable to take distant flights. They harbour much in Alder Cars, as they are called in Suffolk, or parcels of Alder, Willow, or other Aquatics, growing toge- ther in springy and marshy Soils ; and on such, it is good to plant the Aquatics, as Covert for Pheasants, as Furze and Broom upon dry Wastes. Their food in Winter, consists of Hawthorn and other wild Berries, Insects and Reptiles ; and they will make a meal upon a dead Carcase, with the Appetite of a Carrion Crow. The middle branches of the Oak are their Winter roosting places. At the instant they are about to perch, at Sunset, the Males give three or four Cockeltings, which the Hens, on flying up, answer in a single shrill whist- ling note. Let us avail ourselves of the Poet's sound ad- vice, in Pheasant Shooting, that our Shooting Days may be long in the Land, with a plentiful Stock, well preserved. '^ His gaudy Plumage when the Male displays In bright luxuriance to the Solar Rays, Arrest with hasty shot his whirring speed. And see unblam'd the shining victim bleed : But when the Hen to thy discerning view Her sober pinion spreads of duskier hue, Th' attendant Keeper's prudent warning hear. And spare tlie Oflspring of the future year ; 539 S/janiilt! for Wood Shooting. Else ihall llic title wliioli ciiiitoin laid of uld, Avenge her s^laii'^litcr with thy forfeit Gold. Pyi;. Nevertheless, the too well known general di- lemma must have place here, the scarcer the Phea- sants, the more likely are the hens to be sliot. The purest bred and strongest formed Spaniels, are the Dogs for If ood Shooting o( Pheasants, such as are not afraid of the thickest and most thorny Covers ; and in extensive Woods, the Team of Spaniels cannot be toonumcrous and fuUof Tongue. It is an object to a Shooter of Distinction, to pos- sess a highly disciplined Pack of such, but too much neglected. Wiien a Man goes out with his Pointers and Bells, I think he should not forget the Cap for his own Head. In Pheasant Shooting across the open Country, Spaniels are little need- ed, and indeed it is a kind of fashion to scout the trouble of them. The whirring of the Pheasant, which brings a sort of anxious tremnlation over the ndnd of the unpractised Gunner, is particularly cheering and pleasant to the ear of the Sportsman; not however from such an idea as the approach of any critical trial of his skill, as a Marksman, since comparatively speaking, the spreading Pheasant, is as broad a Mark as a flying Haystack. In Coverts, it is no doubt a diff"ereiit thing, and a Pheasant when sprung will fly, perhaps instinctively, in a straight direction before a Tree, which obstructs the Shooter's view and aim, when he should recol- lect in^itantlv, to wheel to the ri;iht or left. Phea- Pheasant Shooting — Grouse. '233 saiits which have lived over a season or two, as well as red-legged Partridges, will run, until they may be literally said to be coursed or hunted by the Dogs, and as if they had an instinctive appre- hension of the Gun, should they spring. For Pheasant Shooting, the Sportsman must not be too late in the Morning, since while the leaves remain, the Game generally lies too high to be readily come at. Colonel Hawker says rationally, that, for one who goes alone into thick Underwood, to get Shots, a brace or two of well broke Spaniels, are best ; but yet he recommends a single high-couraged old Pointer, taught to break his point., and dash upon the Pheasants before they can run out of Shot ; or a Newfoundland Dog, for the same purpose. A Plan which might succeed well enough, but which seems to present no superiority over the use of Spa- niels. After so much has been said of — ' fenny Bogs, and thorny Brakes,* the Tyro need not be told that, if ambitious of becoming a crack Phea- sant Shooter, he must not have a too tender regard, either for his Clothes or his Skin. The duration of life in the Pheasant, has been erroneously short- ened to seven or eight years, but in reality, it has been known to extend to nearly twenty. Grouse. — The Pursuit of the Grouse, or Moor Game, may, full as well as that of the Woodcock, be styled the Fox Hunting of Shooting, for indeed it is, next to Shore Shooting, the most adventurous and laborious of Diversions with the Gun, carrying the '23'[- Grounc Shoofinii — Obcsilff. hardy Sportsman many a long mile o'er Mountain, Brae and Burne, and along the muiry Wilderness, where the rough and tangled Heather conceals stones, cavities and obstructions of all kinds, to catch the wearied feet and overthrow the Fowler. Yet, as Swift says, Tlic Squire in scorn will fly the House For better Cjame, ami look lor Grouse. The great risk of falling upon the Moors, should warn Sportsmen on the point of carrying their Guns cocked, more especially in company. The toil of this Department in Shooting, certainly sanctions beyond any other, the use of the Shooting Horse, to which however there is this objection, that in case of the Accident, you had better fall by your- self, than in company with your Horse, and from the increased altitude of his Back. At any rate, he should not onlv be one of the safest, but accustom- ed to the Country, and to descend Hills. Much speculation has been on foot, at different Periods, on the best means of reducing that natural propen- sion to obesity, which subsists in some Constitu- tions, and which begins to be troublesome about the middle Age. To counteract this oppressive liberality in Nature, I know of no better method than for the Patient to put himself into training, as a wasting Jockey., and when sufficiently reduced in weight, to keep himself by exercise to that standard, at the same time iivino: well and freely. The Cold Varieties — Cock of the Wood ^^ Bustard. 935 Bath, Summer and Winter, is one powerful aid; another, annual early Grouse Shooting. The Varieties of this Game are, the Cock of THE Wood or Capercalze; the Black Grouse or Black Cock, commonly called Black Game; the Red Game, or Moor Cock; and the White Grouse or Ptarmigan. I know not that the Ruffed Grouse of the New Continent has been yet introduced in this Country. It is a beautiful Bird, the Cock nearly of the size of a Pheasant, and spreads its tail in the wooing Season, like the Turkey Cock. The noble Cock of the Wood, weighing from ten to fifteen or sixteen pounds, lam apprehensive has been suffered, like the Bustard, to become nearly extinct upon this our Island ; and I say of the Wood Grouse, as Moubray says of the Bus- tard, if any are yet to be found, it is surely worth while to make the attempt of domesticating some individuals, with a view of preserving and increas- ing the Breed. The attempt is, I believe, making with the Bustard. Grouse are easily tamed when young, and domesticated, and some measures of attention to the Breed in general, have long since become necessary, on account of the growing faci- lity of their conveyance to the Metropolis, where infinitely greater numbers are consumed than for- merly. The Black Grouse may be compared to the Pheasant for its size, and perching on Trees. It weighs three or four pounds. The Red Grouse and Ptarmigan are rather to be classed with the 23() Pitching (house a Partridge. The Red are most plenlitiil, as the vast numbers killed by ambitious Sportsmen, are a prool". Red and White Grouse are nearly of the same size, somewhat larger than the J^artridge. All the Grouse, more or less brown fleshed, are a fine Game Viand, and of high flavour, as seems indicated by their early putrefaction. They cannot be drawn too soon, and should be stuffed with Heather. If wetted, or torn by the Dog, they should be wiped dry before they are bagged, and again perfectly dried at a distance from the fire, previously to packing for Carriage. The best mode of package is either by partition Boxes, with Hops or Heather, one Bird or at most two, in a i)ariition, or in sealed Bullocks' Bladders. Some pack them undrawn. The ir Eyes so bright of late, SunnounleJ by a Brow of scarlet Fringe, How dull and heavy now 1 Yet still their Plmne* Retain their Colour, red and white immixed, With transverse Bars, and spots of sable Hue. Most common these — yet Grouse of other Kmd The Fowler often finds, of larger Growth And glossy Jet, Black Game or Heath Cock termed. Nor are the Red on every heathy Moor Or rocky Mountain found ; full many a Waste, Wash'd by the Southern or the Western Main, Has ne'er receiv'd them, though abundant else In store of footed or of feathered Game. FOWUNG. The chief Quarters for Grouse Shooting are the Scotch and Welch Mountains and Moors. Red Grouse are also in good plenty in the Moorlands ot Counties — Dogs — Dress — Internals. 237 Derbyshire, Lancashire, Cumberland, and York- shire; Staffordshire being their boundary South- ward. They formerly came much farther South- ward, and were found in Dorset, Hants, and Surry, but the culture of Waste Lands has in all proba- bility, extirpated them. A hardy and deep-flewed Setter is far preferable, on almost every account, to the Pointer, for Grouse Shooting: Mr. Daniel's old Beau, is an excellent model. Half a day, particularly if the Weather be sultry, is sufficient labour for the stoutest Dog, at which period he should be relieved. A brace, or even two or three brace of Dogs, however, may find full employment, beins: in relav, and relieved as above. The Shooter beside, using strong Exercise under a burning Sun, ought to have a reverend care of his own health, which consists first, in the lightest possible Cloth- ing, over Flannel Shirt and Drawers, with good defence for the Feet and Legs. With respect to internals, Ham and Biscuit, or our Lord Coleraine's Sportsman s Beef, together with the election be- tween London Particular Madeira, and genuine Cogniac, form the Staff in Grousing. In this Field, no Man must dare to be a Water Drinker, what- ever he may be at home; but must dilute his Water, with a fair portion of the above choice and undoubted Specifics. You will kill Grouse only in fine Weather, at least to repay your labour, and the time is from eight o'clock in the Morning, until as late in the Afternoon, as you feci inclined after a Ions: Dav. ^3S (jiniise — Cock and Snipe Slinothi/// of London — IJaunts. luowncr, more firm, and savoury. Tlie Noiirli- boLirliood of Torrington, in Devonshire, is famous for Woodcocks and Snipes, bein^^ found tliere in such abundance that, Ojic Person, a few years since, has been known to supply the MetropoHs with them to the Value of nearly Two Tliousand Pounds in one Season. Great part, it may be supposed, are taken by Nets and Springes, as in Cumberland and \V estmorhmd, where these Birds were formerly so cheap, as sixteen to twenty pence, a Couple. Bridge Sprlniirs are set in the Rides, where the Marhings and JJutings are discovered, also Glade or Flight Nets, are hoisted up by Piii- lies upon Trees. The Kendal and Exeter Coaches have a chief Concern in the London Supply, the latter sometimes carrying up thirty Dozen of Wood- cocks per Week, Price, at particular Seasons, as high as sixteen Shillings the Couple. The Wood- cock ma}-^ be bred up tame, if caught young, being fed on Worms, and artificial ones made of strings of lean Beef. Woodcocks are perhaps always to be found in the greatest Abundance, within a few miles of the Sea Coasts, yet they traverse the whole Country, and their haunts are where thereare Springs and Coverts, and the upper staple of the Soil is productive of Worms. Their Creeps in the early partof the Season, are in Hedge Rows and Clumps of Trees, upon soft Heather, among the Clover, on the margin of Ponds, and in Springy Bottoms ; afterwards in young W^ood, and in the Skirts of Woods. Were they Cock Shooting. 241 undisturbed, they would probably continue durino- the whole Season, in or near any favourite Spot. Good questing Spaniels are the only Dogs for Cock Shooting, or Setters; and where the Birds are not in plenty, fine Noses are particularly required. The Cock is not easily flushed, concealing itself under the Stubs or any Cover, or running, and is sometimes excessively sluggish. When marked, it will often be found to have run considerably wide, a circumstance which must be allowed for. Woodcocks rise heavily, with a flapping of the Wings, inspiriting to the Shooter, and in their flight, skim leisurely along the Ground, presenting a fair Mark, which can scarcely be missed, and if missed, they seldom fly far. It is however other- wise, when they are flushed among tall Trees, rising then with great Velocity, and a more noisy flapping of the Wings, until they surmount the height of the Trees, and are enabled to take their usual horizontal flight. Here lies the difliculty of Cock Shooting, much use and quickness being requisite to catch an Aim through the Branches of the Trees, either in the Ascent of the Bird, or afterwards. Cocks inhabit the Woods during the greater part of the Winter Season, but are invisible in severe and continued Frosts, excepting the iew which find Cover near Springs that never freeze. Markers are very useful in Cock Shooting, who may also beat the Covers with Poles; and when the Cocks have been flushed by these, or the Dogs, B QV2 Snipe Shooting. they will land either in some Ditch, Fence, or Hank, at no great distance. Snipe and Woodcock Shooting are congenial Branches of Sport. The Snipe is nniversal, the Bird nearly of all Countries and Climates, They are distinguished as the Common^ the Jack SnipCy and the Gnat Snipe. The two former weigh about three or four Ounces, the latter half a Pound, which is not often seen in this Country. They are generally full of fat, of a fine Woodcock flavour, inclining to the Game hitter, very grateful to the Stomach, and are like the Cock, cooked with the Entrails. Snipe Shooting without any Dog, is common, or with a steady, seasoned Pointer. — These Birds, in the Winter Season, frequent low and moist Grounds, sheltering in rushy Bottoms; in the Summer they resort to hilly and moorland Districts. They begin to pipe in early Spring, nest on the Ground, lay four to half a dozen Eggs, and breed in considerable -Numbers in this Country, although, perhaps, the greater part migrate like the Woodcock. It is curious to observe the ma- noeuvres of the Cock Snipe, when disturbed and flushed in Breeding Time, and to listen to his bleating noise, as he rapidly ascends to a vast height, when after poising himself awhile, on his Wings, in the Air, he falls with equal rapidity, whistling, and making a drumming noise, either with his Voice, or by the flapping of his Wings. Snipe Shooting is the Crux Jaculatorum^ or trial ^3 ■^ I The Quail — Bustard. $43 of the Marksman's Skill. I generally prefer Colonel Hawker's short and pithy Instructions, and I am sure I cannot mend them here, although I have seen something of Snipe Shooting. If in their Walks, 370U flush them nearly under your Feet, remain perfectly unconcerned, until they have done twist- ing in their flight ; then fire; or take them whilst describing the semicircle, which sometimes gives an opportunity; but if you present in haste, you cannot, from a common panic, bring the Gun up to a proper aim. If they rise at a moderate dis- tance, down with them before they begin their Evo- lutions. When they cross, fire well forward. — Snipes lie best in windy weather, and being flush- ed, become a good mark by hanging against the Wind. Endeavour to get to Windward of them, and catch a cross Shot, by which you will not be so embarrassed with their zigzag flight. Look for Snipes in bottoms not frozen. First go silently down Wind, to beat up the wilder ones ; then let go an old Pointer up Wind, to find those which have laid so close, as to allow few to pass. The Quail, or Dwarf Partridge, is found in most Countries of Europe and Africa; in some, extremely multitudinous, but in this Country, is little known. It is a Bird of Passage and of the fighting Species, and by the ancient Romans was pitted like the Game Cock. The Bustard is divided into a number of Va- rieties, but is in this Country, distinguished only as the Great and Little. It is known all over the 244. The Biisliud. Old Continent, and was formerly in considerable numbers in Britain, wbere few are seen at present, and perhaps it is uncertain whether those lew are indigenous, or have migrated hither iVom other countries. The great Bustard is the largest of our Fowl, and is of the Gallinaceous Genus^ partaking in a considerable degree, of the nature and figure of the Ostrich. Cocks have been formerly caught, weighing upwards of thirty I'ounds; the lien sel- dom reaches twenty, l he Back is barred black and of a bright rust colour; the Belly is white. The Tail consists of twenty Feathers. The Leijs are long and naked above the knees. The Bustard inhabits Downs and extensive Plains, and perhaps more of them are to be seen upon Salisbury Plain, than in any other part of England. In Hungary, Bustards are said to be so common, as to be some- times seen in Flocks of four or five hundred. They feed on corn and vegetables, and partly, like other Gallinaceous Fowls, on Worms and Reptiles; and like the Ostrich, swallow stones and metallic sub- stances. They are said to have been seen in this Country in Troops of fifty, or upwards, in large Turnip Fields, but surely that cannot be understood as referring to any late period. The shooting at these Birds, so difficult of approach, brings to my recollection the same respecting the Heron. Per- haps the most probable method of success would be, in case of the rare occurrence of a discovery of the haunt of a Flock of Bustards, to watch them in concealment, with heavi/ Metal and No. T. The Fens — Summer Shooting. 94,5 They run like the Ostrich ; and are, according to reports, so slow to take flight, as to be coursed with greyhounds; an account scarcely to be re- conciled with the extreme shyness attributed to them, unless the coursing of them is to be under- stood of the wounded or winged Birds, which I rather suspect. Hawks have been flown at the Bustard in former Times. I must join Mr. Mou- bray in the opinion that, these Fowls, producing such quantities of food, equal also in delicacy to the flesh of the Turkey, should not be suffered to become extinct in this Country. Breeding Stock in plenty, may be obtained in Hungary. We thus have run through the chief Objects of the Shooter's pursuit, among Land Birds; of the minor objects a mere mention or enumeration of the chief of them must suffice, to be followed by a few Observations on Wild Fowl Shooting. The Corn Crake, Land or Water Rail, or Daker Hen. Hatched about the time of the Partridge ; plentiful in Ireland, Anglesea, and Scotland. A few in most parts of England. Birds of Passage. A great dainty and excessive fat. Larks and Starlings. Fen Birds, or those inhabiting watery and reedy Tracts of Land, particularly Lincoln, Rutland, and Cam- bridgeshire. They afford Summer Shooting. For this Branch, in the Fens, two Guns are neces- sary, a long and a short Barrel and a pair of Water Proof Boots.— Dotterel. These Birds are mi- gratory, and found on Fens, Heaths, and More- 24^6 Wheal Ear — Ruff and Reeve, 6fc. — Ritlern. lands, sometimes by the sea side. Tliey weigh three or four ounces, and are of delicate flesh. The Wheat-ear arrives in this country in March, and quits it in September ; they are of the size of the Sparrow, frequent Heaths and Downs, chiefly in Sussex, and are a high delicacy. Thir- teen Dozen of them have been killed at one Dis- charge with Dust Shot. The Ruff and Reeve, Male and Female ; the Males great Fighters, not only in Couples, but in Armies encountering each other in Battle Array ; and it may be supposed these are Love Contentions. The RufF weighs nearly half, the Reeve a quarter of a Pound ; they are Birds of Passage, and are caught with Nets, in order to be fattened on Bread and Milk, Hemp- seed, or boiled Wheat with Sugar. When fat, they are declared by Epicures to be the most delicious of Viands. The Knot is taken in the same man- ner, and also the Godwit, somewhat larger than the Woodcock. — Plovers, the Golde7i, the Grey, and the Pecvit or Lapwing. The Flesh of these, but I should conceive not of the latter, is said to be sweet and tender ; thev are dressed with their Trail, like the Woodcock. The Bittern is a large Bird, its flesh somewhat similar, but judged by the Cognoscenti far superior to that of the Hare. It was formerly in great repute in England, subse- quently losing its reputation, which of late years it seems to have regained, and is at this time a fashionable Dish, in price at the London Poulterers from ten to fifteen Shillings. It is a Bird of great Pigeons. *^47 Courage, and being wounded, will in turn wound the Shooter with its Bill or Claws, unless laid hold on with Caution. The Red Shank or Pool Snipe. The Water Hen weighs from twelve to fifteen Ounces, at all times good Meat ; from September to December, delicious. It frequents Reeds and Moory Places. Wood Pigeons or Ring Doves were multi- tudinous in this Country, in Times previous to the great increase of Population, and the demand for cultivated Land. At present, we have no where more than a moderate plenty: to shoot these Birds they must be watched in their haunts, among which, Turnip Fields are to be reckoned. Thev are the largest sized Pigeons, excepting the Spanish and other Runts, of the same Species, and are fine flavoured, excepting when too bitter, or when the flavour is lowered by Turnip feeding. I am un- aware of any proof of their being Birds of Passage, and as a Pigeon Keeper, am inclined to think the Attempts to domesticate them have failed through Accident. The Tame Pigeon, naturally various, has been manufactured into a vast Number of artificial Varieties. Nonsense enough in conscience, has been written on the subject of these useful and pleasing Birds. The Speculations of the Learned on their possible immense Increase, are at an\' rate, amusing ; much more so than the sage Direction — " to clean your Dove Cote once a Year." They, who will not clean it owce a Week, deserve all 248 Pii>con Shout in<'. tlie losses which iici^ligLnce never fails to create. It has always proved to me most advantageous, to feed Pigeons at home, wiiich they will repay hy double the Quantity of young which they would produce, irconi[)elled to wander in search of Food. Tlius treated, they would do little mischief to the Corn, which they now destroy to such an extent. Runts and Druirons are amontir the most useful Pigeons for the Table, the former white fleshed, the latter more brown and savour^-. The difl'e- rence in (piality, is great indeed, between Pigeons regularly well fed, and those which are driven to shift for themselves. This the l^oulterers well know, allowing more than double the price for the former. Pigeon Shooting, which prevails most near London, and in the bordering Counties, has been justly stygmatized as cruel by Writers of feeling; but Mr. Lascelles surely makes a laughabli] hand of it, in pronouncing the Pigeon a holt/ Bird! Mr. Daniel has well pourtrayed its Cruelty, yet there is one counteracting Consideration ; a vast number of refuse Pigeons are for this purpose, bought up in London, and taken out of an exqui- site state of Misery, from which Death, could they be sure to meet it, would be the best refuge. Few people, even those accustomed to reflect on animal Suffering, are aware of those of the wretched Town Pigeon, harrassed about from its first quitting the Nest, through the rough hands of scores of un- feeling Blackguards, its feathers pulled, its Wings Rook Shooting. 249 braced, starved and forced to fly against its incli- nation, matched, then utmatched, and its dearest ties broken ; sold, resold, exposed in Cages, im- mured in Cellars, Coal Holes, and loaded with every misery, which can be inflicted by the wanton Caprice, Neglect, and beastly Ignorance of the two legged Race, its Tyrants. We have great Perfor- mances in Pigeon Shooting, although far inferior to those of the famous Toomer and his Brother in Hampshire ; it may be nevertheless true that, our first rale Pigeon Shooters might be, by no means, equal Shots in the Field, which requires another kind of Practice and Experience. Rook Shooting, I think, full as cruel as the foregoing, since Rooks are in part domesticated and under our protection ; at least it is cruel to shoot them near their Nests, and their Home, to which they are so much attached. Their young- may be taken as we take young Pigeons, and they make nearly an equal Pie, and are good both broiled and roasted. Rooks beside, pay their Keep well by the quantity of Insects they devour, and may always be driven from those Crops which they injure. There is in a late Sporting Maga- zine, a very good Plan for establishing a Colony of Rooks. Ducks and Geese are the most plea- sant and inoffensive of Fowls, and Geese of the kindest Nature, and even susceptible of Attach- ments; and I digress a few lines, for the purpose of branding those Cruelties which are exercised upon Geese, in tearing off' their Feathers, four or '250 Wild Fowl Shoofini> — Sorts rt five times a Year, and yet such is the miserable system of Nature, that we can find the most phui- sible Excuses for this and most other cruelties. Mr. Daniel relates an Anecdote of a Gander, which led about an asjed blind Woman, holding her Skirt in its Bill, and taking the utmost care of her. Duck Hunting is one of those wanton Species of Barbarity, for which even a Senatorial Advocate would be puzzled to find an Apoloi'v. It is to drag the innocent and harmless tame Duck from the Sanctuary of our Protection, to suffer Alarms and Horrors worse than Death — to be worried and torn to Death piecemeal — whilst the Sport is enhanced by the continuance of the Animal's Frights and Tortures and Suiferinj]:. Blush, Human Nature ! Wild Fowl Shooting is enjoyed in the Winter Season, upon the Sea Coasts, on the Marshes, Rivers and Pieces of Water, where the Fowl resort for Food or Harbour, during severe Frosts. The chief Objects of the Fowler are, Duck and Mallard, Dunbirds, Easterlinc, Widgeon and Teal. There are beside, Wild Geese, Coots, Curlews and other Fowl, con- sidered of little or no worth for Food. The first List are all excellent Meat, and fit for the best Tables. Wild Geeee are fishy and full of Oil. Coots are held in no estimation, although 'they really deserve a considerable share, as I can testify on my own Experience, having eaten them roasted The Curlew — Diversion by Day only. 2ol and stuffed like Ducks, to which I have sometimes found or fancied the Coot equal. The immense quantities of these Birds, has I suppose taken all value from them. Gunners will not waste a charge upon them, and when they do shoot, will not be at the trouble to pick them up. Reader, I would not deliberately tell thee an untruth ; but if mine Eyes did not deceive me, I have actually beheld upon the Manningtree River in Essex, on the Stutton or Suffolk side, a shoal of Coots reaching two miles in length, as thick as they could well swim, and half a mile over. Being disturbed, in their flight upwards, they absolutely darkened the Sun, then shining brilliantly, upon a Frost-bound Surface of Earth and Water. We know that our Ancestors had a taste different from ours, at present ; hence we need not wonder at their boasts of the Curlew, which ought to be worth ten shillings now, according to the Money Value put upon it, at the time the well known Distich was penned. I have never heard of its being eaten within my memory. I had one cooked, but the stench whilst roasting, was suffi- cient. The severities of Wild Fowl Shooting by Night, during the utmost rigour of the Winter Season, together with the attendant Dangers, are such as some, but very few Sportsmen choose to undergo. The Day Time is the Season of Diversion., but that can only be had, to any great degree,. in severe Frosts, when the Fowl of every description, are y52 Past Eleven o'Ctoch ! — Warm Clothhvr c^ ill flight throughout tlie whole Day, and the Shooter, traversing the Marshes or taking to his Boat, can scarcely fail of a number of successful Shots. I must again request Credit of my Readers, who have never visited the Salt Marshes of Essex and Sutfolk, or Hants and Dorset, in the Shooting Season. The Quantities of Wild Fowl to be seen, are almost miraculous. 1 have been out on par- ticular fine and severe Days, from Morning until the Twilight, when look whichever way 1 might, the Air and Water seemed to be peopled with riocks and Strings of all Descriptions of Fowl, from the Goose and Heron to the Oxbird. They were all shy enough, it is true, and Shots were obtained by concealment and careful watching. In general, Flight time, or soon after Twilight com- mences, is the season for this Sport, which if the Night be fine, is occasionally agreeable enough, until eleven o'clock, as preparatory to a good hot Supper and a jovial party at home. Diversion ceases and the Hardships and fatigues of the Labo- rious, commence at that Period ; which I seri- ously recommend to them, who have the Grace to do Penance for their Sins. The various Noises made in a still Nig»ht, by the different Species of Fowl, as they fly over, are extremely curious and interesting to Ears of sensibility ; and a Walk at Flight time is well worth while, with a contem- plative View, and that of gratifying the Sense of hearing only. The Necessity of warm and Sufficient Clothing Shooting by Ear. — Water Spaniel. 253 on these Expeditions, it is superfluous to mention ; yet more especially for the Night service, it may be proper to point out the necessity of double Woollen Stockings, reaching up to the Middle, over which, Water proof Boots are indispejisibles ; and a Fur or Skin Cap must be worn, as the Fowl are always alarmed at the sight of a Hat. The Gun required for this Sport, must be of as great Length and weight of Metal, as the Shooter can manage, with the size of Shot already directed. Of the Perils and Dangers and Hardships of those, who brave the horrors of a Winter's Night, in Wild Fowl Shooting for a Livelihood, many affecting Anecdotes might be detailed, but they would not be quite in place here, as having nothing in common with Diversion, in the opinion of most Sportsmen, An indispensible addition however, must be made to the Shooter's Skill, who goes in Pursuit of Wild Fowl, only a few hours after Flight Time, for Amusement, which is, the faculty of Shooting by Ear; for should there be no Moon, he will in course not be able to see his Game, but must direct his aim to the noise their Wings make, or other practical Signals. " He will observe," says Colonel Hawker, " the Whistle, which announces the Approach of the Wigeon — the Similitude to a Storm of the rapid flying Dunhirds — the shrill sounding Pinions of the Wild Ducks — and the mournful Notes of the Plover, with the Roar of a bursting Surge and discordant Screams o^Sea Fowl-' Use will gradually insure this Accomplishment, 354 Varieties — Training the Greyhound. however good naturcd, with cursed crabbed tem- pers, particularly when driven from the fire side, and not a little snappish and dangerous to Children. We talk of the difference between Greyhounds bred in a level and hilly part of the Country, upon arable and heathy districts ; but Dogs equally strong and well bred, will run equally well in any Country, after they shall have been accustomed to it. The utility of training the Greyhound in the racing-style, as is done for Matches and great Meetings, is disputed on the ground that, it takes off the edge of his speed, whilst it encourages stout- ness in him, the thing not so much in request. I am well aware, there is some reason in this argument, and am convinced that I have seen Greyhounds exerttheutmostpossibledegreeof speed that Nature had allowed them, running well up to their foot beside, with the common, moderate training; that is to say, being taken out two or three times a week, and being well kept. Two or three purges before training, or coursing in after Seasons, are measures which should not be neglected. The Greyhounds of this Country, a species so favoured, have been doubtless high bred, and ex- cellent, during many Centuries. Of modern Im- provers, the late Lord Orford of eccentric memory, stands at the head : well indeed might his Lord- ship breed the best, without any recourse to the fanciful choice of Bull-Dog blood, from the vast number he kept and tried, amounting sometimes to fifty brace ; a number not approached by any Decoy Ponds. ^55 as necessary, or will take to his Flat or Punt, and pass along the Creeks which divide the Marshes, and by silence and caution, endeavour to get within reach of the Fowl in their feeding Places, or lie in wait for them, as they fly over. In great plenty of Game, several Dogs may be employed, and several Pieces should be ready loaded, ex- clusive of the great Gun, which may be fixed upon a Stauncheon in the Punt ; with especial care how- ever that the Boat be not over loaded and upset. It is necessary to Shoot well before Fowl in their flight, generally at the guess of two or three feet or upwards, according to circumstances. Masked Batteries have been contrived by Fowlers, as sinking Tubs in the Earth, or digging Recesses in the Sides of Hills, but the most feasible plan of that kind is, for a Proprietor to run up small Sheds, in or near the most frequented Places, from which he may shoot his Game undiscovered. In these a Swivel might be fixed. ^ Young Ducks, and I believe Wild Fowl gene- rally, are distinguished from the old, by their softer and redder Feet, and by plucking a Feather from the Wing ; if young, it vi'ill be soft and bloody ; if old, the quill will be dry and hard. Mallards have been taken, when the Season for feeding has been fa- vourable, of nearly the weight of four pounds. Decoy Ponds, generally made near the Sea, or on the Marshes of some great River, are, if well at- tended, on an average of years, very advantageous ; and those most particularly which are not at too 25f) Dccoij Ponds. great a distance iVom the Metropolis, The Pond should 1)0 well sheltered by Wood, and thickly skirted with Reeds. In this Pond, the Fowl rest all dav. At flight time thev rise, inakiiiLra Noise with their ^\'^iI)gs, which in calm A\'t'ather, is heard several Miles. Decoy Ducks are ke|)t, well led, which always return home after Flight, bringing wild ones with them. In a new Undertaking of this kind, Success entirely depends on the lucky choice of the Situation, and the likinj^ which the Wild Fowl may chance to take to it. The Seasons, as settled by Act of Parliament, for catching F'owl in these Decoys, is from tlu' latter Knd of October until FY'bruarv. I lif Maninr of working the De- coys, that is of catching the F'owl, loo long for Insertion, is well worth the Observation of the curious who may chance to have the opportunity. A Decoy has netted Eight or Nine Hundred Pounds in a single, very successful Season. M'lsvellanea. 257 maa^nsaiLiisiaiii. To render Boots Water-proof, from Colonel Hawker:— Drying Oil one pint; Yellow Wax two ounces; Tur{Dentine two ounces; Burgundy Pitch one ounce. Melt over a slow Fire, and add a {evf drachms of Essential Oil of Lavender or Thyme. Brush the Boots with this, in the Sun, or at a distance from the Fire. The Application to be repeated, as often as the Boots become dry, until they be fully saturated. The following from Mr. Daniel, on the Autho- rity of the late Dr. Harward, one of the best Wild- Fowl Shooters in the Kingdom — For new Boots, half a pound of Bees* Wax, one quarter pound of Resin, and the like Quantity of Mutton Suet or Tallow : boil them together, and anoint the Boots well with the preparation lukewarm. Should the Boots have been used. Beef Suet to be substituted instead of Mutton. To preserve Gun Barrels from Rust occa- sioned by Salt Water:— Three ounces of Black Lead, half a pound of Hog's Lard, one quarter ounce of Camphor, boiled upon a slow Fire. The Barrels to be rubbed with this, which, after three days is to be wiped off with a Linen Cloth.— Twice in a Winter will be sufficient. s 258 Gun Locka — I)(><('Kcn/iiis. The practice of cleaning Gun Locks, by hoitin^ them, adverted to page 83, being mentioned to a Maker, he strongly ridiculed it, as the readiest method to loosen and spoil the best lock. Pointers are, I believe, generally kept in Ken- NELS, on which Mr. Lascelles's Directions are judicious. Dog-Kennels should be made of the driest wood, and roomy enough ibr a Dog to lie down, in any l*osition, and also to stand in, per- fectly upright, l^ach Kennel should have a Door, with an opening above, to admit the air, when the Door is shut. Kennels are too often defective in these needful particulars, whence chietly the pre- sent notice of them. Let ihem be placed on rollers, from which results a twofold advantage — that of raising them above the ground, and beinpf able to move, and place them with the Front to leeward, in cold Winds. Kennels should be placed in a large open Space, walled round, with a Shed, each having a separate feeding Trough. In the middle of the paved Yard, should be a Pump with a lea- thern Pipe to distribute Water, in any Quantity or Direction. Cast-iron Vessels for Water and Pood, to be kept clean. The Boiling-House in an inner Court, communicating by a Door, and the Meat to be brought from thence and portioned out in proper Quantities to all at once, the Doors of each Kennel being closed in the interim. — The Dogs all to feed at the same time, under a strict Discipline, that they interfere not, one with another. Great Shooting — Tame Partridges. 959 Shooting in September, the present Year 1817. At the Eari of Fife's in Mar Forest, notwith- standing the incessant Rain, the List of Slanghter during one Week, beside red Decr^ Rocs, and Ptarmigan, amounted to 821 brace of Grouse. The Marquis of Huntley's Party shot upwards of 1100 brace of Grouse. And notwithstanding the wet Weatlier, the Marquis of Tavistock shot in three days, 40, 45, and 51 brace. The accounts do not state whether Forsyth's fuhiiinating Lock, or any new Contrivance was resorted to, which resists the water. A wounded Partridge is instantly killed by a trifling Blow on the Head, against the butt end of the Gun : not so the Woodcock ; prick him im- mediately behind the Pinion Joint under the Wing, and he will instantly expire. When Grouse are wild, a perforated Bullet fired among them, will sometimes cause them to drop and lie very close. The Bullet to be perforated with two Holes, in- tersecting each other in the centre. The whizzing of the Ball in the Air, frightens the Birds. Care is necessary^ in giving sufficient Elevation to the Ball, to prevent Danger. — From Mr. Ncedham. Mr. Spencer, Schoolmaster of Durham, has at this time, a Brood of well-grown young Partridges following a Hen. They are quite domesticated, and may frequently be seen in the Public Street in front of Mr. Spencer's House. On the 11th of August last, Mr. Roots, Gamekeeper to the Earl of Chichester, killed atone Shot, in Stanmer Park, I 260 Rijies — Flints — Gun Barrclfi. Sussex, three Sparrow Hawks on tlie Wing, a Shot unprecedented as it regards the Hawk. — John Fuller, Esq. ot'Rosehill, Sussex, an excellent Shot, in beating tbr Partridges, sprung nine Land Railsy five of which were killed by Mr. Fuller, two by Mr. P. Willard, and one by the Game- keeper. In IS 13, near Dorrington, in Wilts, a Shooter beating down a River, shot with a single Barrel and bagged tour wild Ducks, which rose in a parallel line to his Gun. lliFLE Shooting. This nice and curious Branch of Gunnery, certainly merits Attention. We learn from the Sporting Magazine that, on Oc- tober 12th, The Achkotomotari an Society, mustered in great Style, and on the whole made an eminent Display of scientific knowledge of this powerful Weapon. The Rifles of these Gentle- men, who had spared no expense, were in high perfection, and all excepting that of Captain For- man, from the Manufactory of Riviere, in Oxford- Street, London, an Artist of high reputation, and himself a capital Rifle Shot. The Gold Medal was won by Mr. Adams, after a very animated Contest. Rifles, now made in England, in the highest perfection, were little known among us, in the first American War, when People were amused on this side of the Water, by the Story of an American Woodsman, who had actually shot an Eagle with his Rifle, when it loas out of Sight — a thing by no means impossible. Flints. The hard while Flint Stone, it seems. Quotation on Shooting. 26 1 maintained but a short-lived reputation; it requires too great force in the Cock, and is extremely in- jurious to the Hammer. In adverting to the Sub- stance and Safety of Gun Barrels, and the Merit of our improved British Manufacture, I omitted an Observation in which the National Character "%,: and Commercial Interests, are deeply involved. In former Times, our Manufacturers were stigma- tized for the infamy of purposely making cheap and unsound Barrels for Exportation to Africa and North America, where the poor ignorant Pur- chasers frequently lost their Limbs by the bursting of such unsound Pieces. Surely these base and wicked Frauds no longer exist, in a country of such high religious Pretensions as ours. 1 shall conclude this Department of our Subject, with a truly practical Quotation, from the, Sport- ing Magazine, and with a singular Epitaph on a favourite Dog, by Lord Byron, the Prince of mo- dern Poets, and the unrivalled Master of the Pas- sions. We may yet hope that, the Calm produced by Increase of Years and philosophic Reflection, may abate a considerable Portion of that Misan- thropy^ by which the glowing mind of the Noble Poet is too deeply tinctured. " On the Nature of Game, it may be necessary to make a Remark, common to all feres NaturtB^ as if they were conscious of their being the more immediate Objects of Man's Pursuit— and that is theirWatchfulness, the unremitted Vigilance which they observe in every Act and in every Motion • 262 Extract Jrom the Sporting Magazine. so that in order to cope with their Wariness, the Sportsman himself is reqnired to be all Kyes and Ears also. Obvions then is it, that Silence and Circumspection constitute the Key-Stone to the attainment of Sport. Even in Cover with Spaniels well trained, whistling is quite sulficient. More Noise only lakes the Dogs from their Work, driving the Game in any direction, but that from whence the said Noise proceeds. It is from this Circumstance that many an old, and if I may so say, experienced Hare, with one Ear forward, and the other in her Poll, pops out of Cover before the Sportsmen have entered it. Hence the Phea- sant is found at the opposite side of the Cover, though the Scent was strong as possible at the Entrance of the same. Hence too the firm, yet vain Point, at the Place, whence the Covey has just escaped ; and hence also the common Occur- rence, that the quiet Companion who saunters round, has more Shots than the Principal who hunts the Dogs in the Cover: Field Amusements being considered as a relaxation from more impor- tant Concerns, a vulgar Notion has gone forth, as to their requirin<; no Attention. That without this, the Man shall have his Air, and his Exer- cise, I am ready to grant ; but if on this Principle he meets with Success, it must be casual only. In this, as in all other Cases, general Success can only be expected from unremitted Attention, Vigilance, and Perseverance ; and if Expectation be the first Feature of the Morning, it is the relax- Epitaph on a Dog. 263 ation from the continued and intense Bent of the Faculties to the ' hoc age* after the Success which crowns the Evening of the Sporting day; when Society itself is rendered still more sociable ; when the hit and the miss, so often told, yet have a Relish; when, according to the Words of an old Shot — ' We find Angels in Women, Venison in Mutton, and ISfectar in Wine ; when, in short, viewing the poorer Resources of other Nations, we exult in our better Fare, and bless our Stars that We Hue in such a Country.'* INSCRIPTION ON THE Monument of a Nezifoundland Dog. (seep. 13S.J BY LORD BYRON. When some proud Son of Man returns to Eartli, Unknown to Glory but upheld by Birth, The sculptur'd Art exhausts the Pomps of Woe, And storied Urns record who rests below ; When all is done, upon the Tomb is seen, Not what he was, but what he should have been : But the poor Dog, in life the firmest Friend, The first to welcome, foremost to defend, Whose honest Heart is still his Master's own. Who labours, fights, lives, breathes, for him alone, Unhonour'd falls, unnoticed all his Worth, Denied in Heaven the Soul he held on Earth : While Man, vain Insect ! hopes to be forgiven, And claims himself a sole exclusive Heaven ! Oh, Man ! thou feeble Tenant of an Hour, Dcbas'd by Slavery, or corrupt by Power, Who knows thee well, must quit thee with Disgust, Degraded Mass of animated Dust! 264 Epitaph on a Dog. Thy Love is Lust, thy Friendship all a Cheat, Thy Smiles Hypocrisy, tliy Words Deceit! By Nature vile, ennobled but by Name, Each kindred Brute might bid thee blush for Shame. Ye! vvhu perchance behold this simple Urn, Pass on — it honours none you wish to mourn : To mark a Friend's Remains these Stones arise, I never knew but one, and here he lies, Newsiiad Abbey, Oct. 50, 1808. c. V, .' •>-,. --- Quaiyical'um — Ceriijiaifc. 26o ^IBIB ©ASaa ILiiWS The Qualifications for pursuing or killing Game, or, in more accurate Language, the Exemptions from the Pains and Penalties imposed by the Statute Law, arise from Es- tate and Certificate, technically called the Qualification. Qualification. — Charles IL Stat. 22 and 23, Chap. 25t — No Person not having a Freehold or Copyhold (See Cal- decofs Cases, p. 230,) Estate, in his own or his Wife's Right, of the clear yearly value of 100/. or Leasehold Pro- perty for Life, or at least for Ninety-Nine Years, of the clear Yearly Value of 150/. can pursue or kill Game, or have in his Possession any Gun, Dog, or other Instrument for the taking or killing of Game, on pain of forfeiting by the Statute, 5 Anne, Chap. 24, Five Pounds for every Of- fence : nor can any Person, even having the above Qualifi- cation as required by the Statute, pursue or kill Game with- out a Certificate, on pain of an additional penalty of 20/. Anne, Stat. 9, Chap. 25. But of the Son and Heir Apparent of an Esquire, or other Person of higher Degree, and the Lords, Owners, and Keepers of Manors, Forests, Parks, Chases, and Warrens, as also Gamekeepers duly appointed, no Qualification by Estate is by virtue of Charles IL Stat. 22 and 23, Chap. 25, required. And the Statute, 54 Geo. III. Chap. 141, relieves all Persons aiding and assisting qualified Persons in the taking or killing of Game, provided that the Act of aiding and assisting be done in the Company or Presence, and for the Use of sucii qualified Persons. Certificatk. — Geo. III. Stat. 52, Chap. 93. — A quali- fi, Chap. 22, to enter any Warren or Rabbit Ground, armed and disguised, and robl)ing the same, or, though not armed and disguised, to rescue, or procure any Person to join in rescuing, any Person in Custody for such offence, is Felony, without Benefit of Clergy. PiGKONs. — James I. Stat. 1, Chap. 27, and Geo- III. Stat. 2, Chap. 29. To shoot at, with intent to kill, or by any means to kill, or to take with an intent to destroy, any House Dove, or Pigeon, incurs a Forfeiture of 20*. for every Pigeon, or Imprisonment from One to Three Months. Partridges and Pheasants- — James I. Stat. 1, Chap. 27, and James I. Stat. 7, Chap. 18- To shoot at, kill, or destroy, with any kinds of Hawks, or Dogs, any Pheasant or Partridge, incurs a Forfeiture of 205. for every Bird, or Three Months Imprisonment. If in the Night-Time, with Net or Snares, for every Pheasant, 20.?. and for every Par- tridge, \0s. or One Month's Imprisonment. Heath Fowl, Grouse, and Moor Game. — To shoot at, kill, or destroy, with a Gun or Bow, any Grouse, Heath- cock, or Moor Game, incurs a Forfeiture of 20*. for each Bird, or Imprisonment for Three Months- IViid Fowl — Ei>-o\s of Game. 269 Wild Fowl.- — James I. Stat, i, Chap. 27. To shoot at, kill, or destroy with a Gun or Bow, any Mallard, Duck, Teal, or Wigeon, incurs a like Forfeiture or Imprisonment. Herons. — The same Statute inflicts a like Penalty or Punishment for shooting at, killing, or destroying any He- ron j and the Statute, 19 Henry VIII. Chap. 2, prohibits any one from taking of young Herons out of their Nests, except on his own Grounds, on Forfeiture of 10 5. for each Heron. Swans. — ^To take any Swan lawfully marked, although at large, or even marked, if within the Manor or private Rivers of the Owner, is Felony, without Benefit of Clergy. Hawks. — Henry Vll. Stat. 2, Chap. 17. To disturb Hawks in their Coverts, or destroy them. Forfeiture 10/.; and by Edw. III. Stat. 37, Chap. 19, to steal them. Felony, but within Clergy. Eggs ok Game. — Wilfully to destroy the Eggs of Phea- sants or Partridges, incurs a Penalty of 20*. for each Egg, or One Month's Imprisonment, James I. Stat. 1, Chap. 27. Of Wild Fowl, for every Egg of a Crane or Bustard, 20 d.; of a Bittern, Heron, or Shoveland, 3d.', of a Mallard, Teal, or other Wild Fowl, Id.; if from the 1st March to June SOth; Henry VIII. Stat. 25, Chap. 11. Of Swans, whe- ther in or out of the Nest, 20s. for every Egg, or Three Months Imprisonment, James I. Stat. 1, Chap. 27. Of any Falcon, Goss-Hawk, &c. Fine and Imprisonment at the Option of the Magistrate, Henry VII. Stat. 11, Chap. I7. And by the last Statute, no Person must take the Eggs of any Swan found on his Ground or that of another, on Pain of Imprisonment for a Year and a Day, and Fine at the King's Pleasure. Geo. III. Stat. 57, Chap. 90. To enter any Forest, Chase, Park, or other open or inclosed Ground, between Six in the Evening and Seven in the Morning from October 1st to Fe- bruary 1st; between Seven in the Evening and Five in the Morning from February 1st to April 1st; and between Nine in the Evening and Four in the Morning for the Remainder ^270 Forest or Chase — Ncfs, (S'c. of the Year, ainicd, and liavini^ any Net or otlior Instrii- inent, with tlic Intent to take or kill Game, or wilfully to destroy the Game, or to aid and assist therein, snhjects to Transportation for Seven Years. Rani^ers, Keepers, ike. may seize and apprehend all OiVenders, and take from them their Arms, Snares, Dogs, ^e. as also the Game they have unlawfully taken. — Geo. I. Stat. 9, Chap. 22; Charles II. Stat. 22 and 2.i, Chap. 25; and Geo. III. Stat. 57, Chap. •JO; and by Geo. I. Stat. I), Chap. 22, Constables and Peace OlVicers, if authorized to that Eflect by the Warrant of a ]Mat:;istrate, may enter Houses of suspeetcd Persons not (pialided, to search for Venison ; as they may also by Wil- liam and Mary, Stat. 1 and .'>, Chap. 2.'i, for Hares, Par- tridges, Pheasants, or other Game, e.\cept Rabbits, and seize all Dogs, Nets, or other Engines employed in the De- struction of Game, and destroy the same. Wounding or beating Keepers of Forests, subjects to Transportation for Seven Years. J)((i/ifii>- and Sclliui^ of Game. James 1. Stat. 1, Chap. 27. Tosell, or buy to sell again, any Deer, incurs a Penalty of lOcV. for every Deer. — Ann, Stat. 5, Chap. 11. Any Higler, Chapman, Carrier, Inn- keeper, Victualler, or Alehouse-keeper, who shall have in his Custody any Hare, Pheasant, Partridge, Moor Game, Heath Game, or Grouse, or who shall buy, sell, or offer to sell the same, to forfeit 5/. for every Hare, &c. or be impri- soned for Three Months. But this Act does not extend to Carriers having in their Possession Game belonging to Per- sons qualified to kill Game, And by Geo. II. Stat. 28, Chap. 12, if any Person, whe- ther qualified or not qualified to kill Game, sells, exposes or offers to sale any Hare, Pheasant, Partridge, Moor or Heath Game, or Grouse, he shall for every offence be sub- ject to the Penalties of the Statute, 5 Ann, Chap. 14- But by Virtue of James I. Stat. 1, Chap. 27, the Sale or Expo- Buying and Selling Game. 27 1 sing to Sale of Partridges and Pheasants reared in Houses, or brought from Abroad, does not subject to any Penalty. Game found in the House or Possession of a Poulterer, Salesman, Fishmonger, Cook, or Pastry-Cook, deemed an exposing to Sale within the Meaning of the Act. Geo. II. Stat. 28, Chap. 12. And by Ann, Stat. 9, Chap. 25, all unqualified Persons having Game in their Possession are liable to the Penalties of the Statute, 4 and 5 William and Mary, Chap. 25, unless it be ticketed by a qualified Person, or give a good Account how they came by the same, or produce the Party of whom they bought it, or procure some creditable Person to depose upon Oath the Sale thereof. Ann, Stat. 5, Chap. 14. Persons having destroyed, bought, or sold any Game, and who shall within Three Months make discovery of any Higler, Chapman, Carrier, Innkeeper, Ale- housekeeper, or Victualler, having bought, sold, or offered to buy or sell, or having had in his Possession any Game, shall, on Conviction of the Offender, be discharged from the Pains and Penalties for having killed or sold Game. Game- keepers selling or exposing to Sale any Game, without the Consent and Knowledge of their Lord, subject to Three Months Imprisonment in the House of Correction. — Ann, Stat. 9, Chap. 25. And Keepers or other Officers of Fo- rests, &c. killing Deer, without the Owner's Consent, to for- feit bOl. for each Deer, or be imprisoned for Three Years, and set on the Pillory. Geo. I. Stat. 5, Chap. 15. Gamekeepers. — Only One Gamekeeper can be appointed within one Manor. By Charles II. Stat. 22 and 23, Chap. 25, they are not only empowered to seize Game, but all Guns, Nets, Dogs, &c. intended for its Destruction ; and by Geo, III. Stat. 57, Chap. 90, to seize and apprehend all Persons found in any Forest, Park, or other open or inclosed Ground, armed, and with Nets, Snares, &c. for the Destruction of Game. \The Law respecting the Commission of Trespass in the Pur- suit of Game, will he found tinder the Title Hunting.] '272 Hawkimr. is>AiLiJX)riia'2'^ mm aiiiwisiia®; A BRIEF Notice will suffice of this antiquated Sport, which, it is not within the range of proba- bility, will ever be revived in Britain, although several Noblemen and Cjcnilemen of the present Day, in particular Colonel Thornton, who seems disposed to leave nothing untried in the Sporting Line, unless we may except Racing, still keep Hawks from motives of Curiosity, or fond Obedi- ence to ancient Custom. Hawking, practised in this Country as early as the Saxon Times, continued gradually to de- cline in fashionable repute, until the Restora- tion, subsequently to which Period, it seems to have been entirely superseded by the improved Fovvling-I^iece, to which that noble Contrivance the Lock and Cock had been added. With such an Implement for bringing down Game upon the Wing, by the exertion of his own personal Skill, the Sportsman had little need for a recourse to that of the Hawk, or desire to ride Star-gazing about the Country, and watching a Bird Hunt in the Air. Nevertheless, such was once a noble ^nd princely Sport, and an intimate Knowledge therein, held an indispensible part of the Education of a great Man, whilst Reading and Writing were Ancient Learning — Slang of Falconry. 273 matters of such inferior Estimation, as to be held proper for needy persons only, and those of inferior degree. Well might Sir Francis Burdett wonder, where the Barons assembled at Runnemede, picked up that distinguished Portion of Political Know- ledge there displayed; since in all probability, few of them were able to inscribe their noble Names, otherwise than with a +, or hammer out much in the reading way beyond a Pater Nosier. But we see or read of a Play, without being able to dis- cover or give a History of the Prompter. By the way, it is a curious Reflection that, the deposit of such rare Principles, must necessarily have been with the Clergy, derived in great part no doubt from Saxon Usage, and in all probability, also from the more pure and precise source of the Italian Republics. At any rate, we ought to hold that Era in no slight degree of admiration, for at what other do we behold in the Clergy and Nobi- lity of a Country, the revolutionary Advocates of the Rights of Man ? There was, more Majorum^ according to the Custom of our Sporting Ancestors, a Slang apper- taining to Falconry, which, on repetition, would at this Time be perfectly ludicrous. Gervase Mark- ham tells us that — " Hawks are divided into two kind, that is to say, short winged Hawks, as the Goshawk and her Tercell, the Sparrow Hawk and her Musket, and such like, whose wings are shorter than their Trains, and do belong to the Os- tringer : and long winged Hawks, as the Faulcon- T 27'i Coi. Thornton — Trapping (he Hawk. gentle, anil her Tercell, tlie Gerfnlcon and Jerkin, the Lanner, Merlin, Ilohln^ and divers others." From Markhani we learn that, the Hawk, like the Race-horse, requires Scouring or Purgation to prepare him for Flight, and that Aloes Cicalrine^ as he styles it, is the hcst Purge for Hawks; the Dose of the size of a Hean, being wrapped up in her Meat. Hawks are for Field or River, and the largest Size were used for the largest Kinds of (Jame. Foreigners tVom all parts were introduced, and mixed with our native fJreeds. Our chief modern Falconer, Colonel Thornton, counsels those few Gentlemen, who still follow the noble Amusement of Falconry in this Country, to supply themselves with Hawks of all Ages, by trapping them, without having recourse to the tedious Expedient of taking them from the Nest. The Trap recommended for this purpose by the Colonel, is on the Plan of the Goldfinch Trap- Cage, eidarged to the size of the Hawk, to be baited with two House Sparrows, or other small Birds. This Plan has been successful, and rnav be a useful Aid to the Guns of the Keepers, upon Estates where Hawks abound, to the De- struction of Hare, Partridge, and all kinds of Game. It is further said that. Eagles, Herons, Vultures, and the larger Birds of Prey, which do so much Mischief in the North, mioht be cauirht in simi- lar Cages of proportionate Dimensions. Colonel Thornton farther gives Instructions for Pheasant- Hawkins with the Goshawk, in Coverts; but I Criielli&s of Hawking — Grand Falconer. T(5 should apprehend that, the necessary fuss and trou- ble of this Diversion, so superior to either its Plea- sure or its Profit, will weigh too heavy in the Scale, opposite to that of any Recommendation in its favour. With respect to my own opinion, I have a heavier and more forcible objection to Hawking-, which is the cruelty with which it is invariably attended, in the Trespasses on the Feel- ings of those Birds, that are sacrificed in feeding and luring the Hawk. When at large, they have their fair and natural chance of Escape. In this Sport, wretched Pigeons, Fowls, and other Birds, are held almost in contact, or in sight of that Enemy, of which Nature has furnished them with an in- stinctive and mortal Dread, and they exist under those cruelly protracted Agonies, until the long expected moment arrive, of their being torn alive Limb from Limb. We have even Instructions in some of the Old AVriters, to tear open the Breast of a living Bird with our Fingers, for the Gratifi- cation or Teasing of the Hawk ! Of the agonizing Apprehensions of those poor harmless Victims, any one may judge, who has held a Wild Pigeon in his Hands, and attended to the beating of its Heart. The Cruelties of brute and undistinsfuish- ing Nature, are surely sufficient, let not the Sum be exaggerated and increased by human Reason, the first Duty of which is to discriminate. The Ofl^ice of Grand Falconer of England, is hereditary in the Duke of St. Albans, as that of Master of the Game is, in the Duke of Graf- 976 Fdlconri/ in ihc liust. ton. Ihit Hawks are no longer kept lor Iloyal Diversion. The Salary attached to the Office of Grand Falconer is 9^>2/, lO.f. per Annum, and 30/. each Lunar Month, niakini; together 1372/. 10.?. but from various deductions, it does not net above one Thousand Pounds per Year. An early \\r iter gives the following account of their proficiency in the Art of Training the Hawk, in the Eastern Countries. In the vicinity of Na- zarcth, in the Holy Land, an Arab mounted on a swift Courser, let loose a Falcon which he had on his fist, at an Antelope on the Summit of a Moun- tain, which flying in a direct line like an Arrow, fixed the Talons of one of his Feet into the Ante- lope's Cheeks, and those of the other into its Tbroal ; extending his Wings obliquely over the Animal, spreading one towards one of its Ears, and the other to the opposite Hip. The Antelope ih\is attacked, made a leap twice the height of a Man, and freed himself from the Hawk ; but be- ing wounded, and losing both its Strength and Speed, it was again attacked by the Hawk, which then fixed the Talons of both his Feet into its Throat, and held it fast, until the Huntsman coming up, took it alive, and cut its Throat. The Falcon was allowed to drink the Blood, as a reward for his labour ; and a young Falcon in training, was likewise put to the Throat. The Chase, Ancient and Modern. 277 ^IHia (BISASlia^ The modern Chase, in this Countrv, is divided into Fox, Deer, and Hare Hunting, Cours- ing the Hare, Otter Hunting, and the Pur- suit of inferior Animals, such as the Badger, Martern or Marten, and Squirrel, which may not inaptly be styled la petite Chassc, the lower or lesser Chace. In ancient Times, anterior to the Progress of Cultivation in the three Kingdoms, Beasts of Prey usually found in Countries, the Surface of which is covered with Forests, were objects of Veneri/, or of the Chase. The chief of those was the Wolf, and the Wild Boar was joined in this species of military chase, the intent of which was a union of the pleasures of Hunting, with the exercise of Hardihood and personal Prowess. How great a 278 The Old Forest Laws. portion of Patriotism, and of a desire to clear tlie Country of dangerous Animals, subsisted with those Views, may perhaps be best determined by the tenor cf the Forest Laws. The frightful De- vastations of the Country, and cruel Breaches of social Right, in favour of their Hunting System, by the Tyrant Plantagenets and their Associates in the Sovereignty, the l^arons, have been chroni- cled with a horrible minuteness, and afterwards controverted, whether with regard to the Rights of Truth, or with the common Views of Palliation. Rut the following abominable suggestions of the grossest Passions, nicknamed Laws, may, in the second instance, be assumed as a rule of Judgment. The Heads and Hearts which could conceive, and the Hands which could execute, the Forest Laws, could possibly have little scruple for the same I Purposes, to lay waste three or four score miles of Country, and to turn out to misery and want, the wretched Ldiabitants; Animals in their Sovereign estimation, of far less worth and consequence than the Beasts of Chase. The stealing a Hawk waS punished by a Fine, equal to that, which was decreed for the Murder of a Slave. The hunting or coursing a Royal Stag, until he panted, by a Freeman, was punished by his loss of Liberty for one Year ; if a Boiidman^ he was outlawed. What an unjust and senseless division of Men into free and bond, free and not free ! Among other Pu- nishments for ofTending against the Game Laws, in those dark Ages, which, shame to modern en- I Xenophon — The Morning Chronicle. 279 lightened Europe, subsisted on the Continent in all probability, until within the last twenty or thirty years, were Castration, Loss of Eyes, and cutting off the Hands and Feet ! Laws, which some Centuries afterwards, found their Counterpart in those, which condemned to Im- prisonment in Chains, Banishment, and Death, that Vagrancy and Beggary, which was the neces- sary creation of a vicious and monopolizing System of Government. If we may judge by analogy of the following Passage from Xenephon, as given by Mr. Daniel, the great Hunters of Classical Antiquity, had some sense of regard for human Rights and Pro- perty. — " In hunting cultivated Lands, the Sports- man should abstain from damaging the Fruits of the Earth that are in Season.'* The Revolution in France compelled this justice. Its previous state may be appreciated by the well-known Mo- tion in the National Assembly, of a Farmer De- puty, for the Suppression of PigeoriSf Rabbits, and Monks, which he justified by the averment that — " the first devour us in the Seed, the second in the Blade, and the third in the Sheaf." Since the late counter-revolutionary Change, however, in France, Complaints of this Nature have revived, and although they have been suppressed instead of redressed in that Country, they have found their way over hither, and that Publicity which is their due, through the openness of our Press, and the liberality of one of our public Prints. The Inha- 280 Petition of the French Communes. bitants of the Communes of Beau-rejjuire, Verne- inly F/eurine, Villars-Saint Franebuurg, Iville, Pompointy Pont St. Maxence, in January last, pre- sented a Petition, containing One Hundred and Forty-Six Signatures, attested by their respective Mayors, to their House of Lords, setting forth that — " Situated on the Borders, and in the Interior of the Forests o\' Alate, and of Chantiili/, these Com- munes see their Fields, and even their Gardens, a Prey to the Ravages of a prodigious number of wild Boars. All efforts are ineffectual to drive them ofl\ Discouragement spreads every where. It is remembered with dread that, thirty Years ago, the Country had been a Desert from the same Cause. In 1789j the Inhabitants themselves were permit- ted to destroy these dangerous animals, and a few Weeks sufficed to clear all the Territories of them. Within eight years they appeared again ; and espe- cially icithin three Years, they multiply in an alarming manner. This very Year, in which the Dearth of Grain renders it so precious, the Com- munes have had still more to suffer from this De- vastation. They have already destroyed all the Rye which has been sown. The Prince's (sup- posed of Conde) Hunts, for which these Forests are reserved, are of no sort of Utility. Those alone who have an interest to struggle against this Scourge, are able to destroy it. Already at differ- ent times, Petitions have been addressed to the local Authorities : some have had no effect, others Liberty of the Press. International Communion. 2^61 have been followed by very insufficient mea- sures." We have in the above, a home felt Example of the inestimable benefitsof the Liberty of the Press, and of an Intercommunication between Nations, for their mutual Improvement. But for a Nation to submit to the Tyranny of which we have been discoursing, it must be completely immersed in political darkness, and under the fatal influence of Religious Superstition, the most highly approved Pander of Political Slavery. AVhere Light and Despotism subsist together, in the same Country, the blame ought rationally to attach to the People, not to the Tyrants, who are but acting the parts which nature has assigned them, an example which it is the duty of the People to follow. In this Country, the open and unveiled practice of Despotism, has long been suppressed; and Anec- dotal History furnishes us with an example in a late Reign, granting its authenticity may be de- pended upon, of the sovereign power of a Proprietor over his own Domain. It is related that, some time after the Accession of George I. to the Throne of these Kingdoms, he had a Hunting Party, and that he pursued the Track of the Game, over a Gentleman's Fence, into his Enclosure or Park, where he chanced to be then vvalkino-. The Gen- tleman is said to have accosted the King, with — " Stop, Sir, this is not a Patent Path." The Royal Sportsman, unaccustomed to such freedom of Address, replied with emotion—" Do you 282 Anecdotes. George I.— Gen. Wolfe. know who you have, Sir ?" " Yes," rejoined the Gentleman, " I know that I have the King ot" Great Britain talking to me, but I am a King upon my own Property." With great presence of mind, the Story continues, and a frankness that did honour to Royalty itself, the King, clapping his hand on the Pommel of the Saddle, exclaimed with an air of Exultation and Pleasure — " 1 am the greatest King on Earth, for while other Mo- narchs rule over Slaves, I reign over Princes." They who are apprized of the capabilities and motives of our extensive and noble Anecdote Manufactory, need no Guide, with respect to the decrees of credence to be bestowed upon the above shining Specimen. Those not in the secret, will be startled at any demur, and dreading to be un- deceived, will be apt to exclaim with the Poet, Pol! me occidistiSi amici — nevertheless if they chuse, they may accept a needful caution, with respect to the fine and memorable Sayings of Princes and great Men, in general, about as much entitled to credit as the Speeches in Livt/^ or any other ancient Historian. At the period alluded to, George I. could scarcely muster half a dozen words of English ; and perhaps, from what is known of his Character, was as unlikely a Monarch as ever sate upon the British Throne, to make the Speech attributed to him, or to assume an e.vulting and theatrical Air from the Pommel of his Saddle. This then may very well couple with the impres- sive dying Words, so full of the Amor Patrice, of Damage hy Hiniling — Earl of Essex. 283 General Wolfe at Quebec. The General was a brave Soldier, and a liberal and high-souled Cha- racter, as he evinced when Colonel Wolfe, on a certain very delicate Occasion ; nevertheless, although in anecdotal, or useful truth he did, in actual and real truth he did not, utter one single Word, after being stricken with the fatal Ball, as was testified by a Native of the Isle of Wight, who assisted in taking him up, and carrying him to a place of Safety. His faculties were instantly sus- pended by the Stroke of Death, his Eyes fixed, and his Face pallid as already a Corpse. Late Complaints there no doubt have been, of Oppression, and of great and extensive Damages done to cultivated Land, by Deer Hunting and Fox Hunting ; but these Shadows of former and obsolete Tyranny, will gradually vanish oflfa Stage of more just and rational principles of Action. The Cause of Common Sense and National Profit, has a noble Champion in the Earl of Essex. British Hunting in old Times, or ought we not rather, in imitation of an acute Observer, to style them young Times, since we are so many Cen- turies older than they ? — partook of all that Gran- deur and Parade, which are yet in fashion upon the Continent; but the English soon improved upon the Instructions of their Norman Masters, and have ever excelled the Nations of the Conti- nent, in the Arts and Practice of Hunting and other Field Sports, and in the decided Superiority of their Dogs and Horses, notwithstanding they 2S4 Superioiily of English Hislory — lAidies. have been generally iudebted to other Countries for theiai'esof the breeclsof those Animals. The English Ladies even, in former times, used to participate, al- tliough it is probable, not very generally, with their ]jords and (jientlemen, in the pleasures, fatigues, and dangers of the Chase ; in which for safety sake, they rode astride like niei]. This Custom, it is said, was abolished by our I'irgin Queen, or by some other Princess not very remote from her time ; and although we have since been occa- sionally honoured with the presence of a capital Horsewoman in the Field, among the foremost of whom may be reckoned Lady Craven, Mar- gravine of Anspacb, not to forget a late female Jockey, they have ridden in the modest, althouij^h dangerous mode, universally appropriated to their sex. Some few and rare examples have occurred of an ambition to excel in the ancient Style of Riding, both in the Field and upon the Road ; and I remember, many years ago, two young Ladies, the Daughters of a Man of Rank, in •******, who sported their Doe-skins and Mens' Hats, riding astride, to the infinite surprize and amusement of the Neighbourhood ; keeping up a haut ton by also sporting and using their IVork Bags at the Theatre ! It may not be improper, were it even merely pro forma, for Etiquette sake, to endeavour to con- vey some general idea to the Reader, of the Nature of Hunting the Wolf and the Wild Boar, as practised by our Anglo-Saxon and Norman Ances- The Wolf in Ancient and Modern Timea. 286 tors. The Wolf is one of the most solitary, natu- rally and determinedly, savage and blood-thirsty of Animals ; and although gregarious, his Society is rather a state of quarrel and warfare, than of amity. Hunger impels them to assemble, generally in the Winter Season, when their savage Howlings are dreadful Notes of apprehension to the unfortunate Neighbourhood, where they abound. The Wolf breeds annually, producing from five to ten Whelps at a Litter, being sufficiently prolific to stock a Country most abundantly, where is Covert and Provision for them, and where they are indolently suffered to exist. As lately as the first Quarter of the last Century, during severe Frosts, Wolves were to be seen in various parts of the Continent, to the number of several Hundreds in a Rout, lay- ing whole Districts waste, by devouring Sheep, Cattle, and Horses, and even attacking the Vil- lages. At the present Day, no Season passes, without some accident to Life or Property, from the Wolves, in France and the neighbouring Coun- tries ; yet measures, it seems, are constantly taken for their destruction, by Poison, Snares, and the Gun. Surely a considerable number of Watch- Houses, in which large Guns might be fixed, would be among the most effectual Remedies. In the Reign o^ Athelstan the Saxon, Wolves so abounded in Yorkshire, that a sort of Fort was erected at Flixton, in that County — " to defend Passengers from the Wolves, that they should not be devoured by them." And such havoc was made 286 Laws against Wolves — Wolf Hunt. by these terrible Marauders, during the Winter, and when the frost was most severe and pinching, that January was distinguished by the Saxons, as the Wolf Month. Such active and effectual Mea- sures were however adopted, in this Land of energy, by leasing Lands in the districts most infested, on the tenure of Wolf-hunt^ by accepting Wolves Heads as tribute, and as a commutation of Punisliment for Crimes, that Wolves have totally disappeared in England and Wales, for some Cen- turies, although one remained in Scotland, to fall by the hands of the brave Sir Ewen Cameron, as lately as the Year 1680. The ancient Wolf and Wild Boar Hunt was a sort of Warfine, or Military Hunting, since the pleasure consisted not merely in the Pursuit of Game, but in vanquishing an Animal, which would defend himself at the last, with the most determined Resolution, and to the probable maiming or de- struction of some of his Assailants, whether Dogs, or Men. Indeed, with whatever of Honour, a Chase of this kind might partake, the Wolf or Boar being at full growth, it seldom concluded without some serious Danger or Accident to the Dogs at least, unless the opportunity occurred, which was never neglected, of effectually using the Cross Bow or Spear. The Gentlemen and their Attendants were always on Horseback, their Horses being trained for the purpose ; and although the honour, in all justice and fairness, ought to be awarded to the animal, who singly and bravely coped with such a Host Ancimt Wolf Hiinling. 237 of armed Assailants, yet the latter often encoun- tered sufficient Danger, the limbs of many of the most forward Dogs being broken, or their Entrails torn out, and not seldom the Horses and their Riders severely wounded. Blood Hounds, Mas- tiffs and Greyhounds, or mixtures of those, were used in those perilous Hunts, in Relays, and Packs of considerable number. The Dogs had generally substantial Collars for their protection, to which sometimes Bells were attached, and the whole was conducted in the midst of the greatest Noise that could possibly be made by the Hunters and Dogs. The Haunts being well marked, trails were made with Horse Flesh, or Carcases of Sheep, to draw the Wolf from his Den or Covert, and the Hunt commenced early in the Morning, in order to in- tercept him. As the Coverts were drawn, and the Wolf unkennelled, he would stand to bay, or run, according to circumstances, and the Diversion consisted both in the Combat and the Chace. The Terms formerly in use to express the diffe- rent periods of Life in the Wild Boar, are scarcely worth repetition, since the Animal itself can never more become an inmate of this country, until it can be said, the chaos of Barbarism is come again. Whatever mischief he may occasion, at the present time, in other countries, the report of him in this, is nothing but what is good. A cross of him with our native Sow, makes the finest Pork we have. His flesh, it is to be presumed, must have been in repute with our ancient Hun- 288 /Fm. /. — Chas. I. — Wild Jioar maldnsr. ters, who esteemed him so higiily as a Beast of Chace, that ^yiUiam the Norman punished, with the loss of Eves, those who were convicted of killing him without his authority. Charles I. had commenced breeding Wild Boars in the New Forest, until the Civil Wars afforded that unfor- tunate Hunter, a still more dangerous kind of Chase; in the meantime, liis Wild Boars were soon eradicated. Could such a thing be desirable, a breed of Wild Swine, as fierce and savage as Hunter's Heart could wish, might easily and speedily be raised. As we domesticate and tame wild Animals, so the Swine particularly, being turned out to shift for himself, or straying away, retrogrades, with great facility, to the state of Nature ; and both the Boar and the Sow are parti- cularly of high courage, fierce and voracious. Several Wild Boars of this accidental kind have flourished within my memory ; in particular, two in the Woods between Mersey Island and Col- chester, in Essex, which, many years since, were the terror of that neighbourhood for a considerable time, and stood many a gallant Hunt. Speed be- ing a prime object in Beasts of Venery, none in Britain could be better qualified for Wild Boar making, than the old Breeds of Pigs, in Cornwall and Wales, which rivalled the Lurcher in form and action. Hunting of the Wild Boar resembled, in most points, that of the Wolf, the same breeds of Dogs being employed, and the twofold Objects in view Chase of the Wild Boar. ^89 of Chase and Combat ; for the latter the Hunters being prepared with well-trained Horses, seasoned Dogs, suitably defensive Habiliments, and Arms, which consisted of Cross Bows, Swords, and Spears. The Boar Spears, or Pikes, were broad and divided into several tines or forks. The season for hunting the Wild Boar began in September and ended at Christmas. This Animal, it cannot be sup- posed, has the Speed, or Runs so long as the Wolf, nor does he ever by choice trust himself to the open Country ; but when he is roused from his Den, which is in the thickest and most thorny part of the Forest, he runs constantly to Covert, watchfully listening to the Cry, and if not headed, often making a Circle, and retracing his steps to the Den from whence he was roused. A Boar will sometimes lie so close, that he is with difficulty roused by all the Thunder which proceeds from the baying of the Dogs, the Noise of the Horses, and Shouts of the Hunters. Being roused, it is said he will stand the bay with nve or six couple of Dogs, and perhaps spoil the greater part of them, not flinching until the Hunters ride in upon him, when he will turn tail, and make way through the thickest recesses. In this Hunt, success seems to consist in the number of Dogs, and their being judiciously hunted, so as to surround the Boar, and give a fair chance to the Hunters, by whose Spears or Shot he is usually dispatched. There is great danger with young Dogs, when first entered, many passionate and forward ones u 290 Change of Objects in the Chase. being destroyed J^t the first onset, and few acquire their seasoning without some severe hurts. The Hoar in:^tinctively receives all Blows upon his Snout, wiiich is his guard, and the Spearmen ex()erl at tiiis I'.xercise, in consequence, strike higli, above his Head, aiming to wound him be- hind the Ear, in the middle of the Forehead, or upon the Shoukler, eitlier of which Strokes, home directed, will prove mortal. He dies bravely, without uttering Cry or Groan. It is obvious, no untrained Horse could be got near a Wolf or Boar, and the Danger would be great in using a Spear from such a Horse, as from his unsteadiness, tlie Hunter would be liable to wound him in making his Stroke. The Bites of either of the enraged Animals, are extremely difficult of Cure. F^nglish Gentlemen have complained that, even with their own Hounds, they can make no hand of Wolf and Boar Hunting, upon the Continent, but they ought to consider that, tempora mutantur; that the Age of Chivalry in this line, is past ; that the old Prepa- ration, Pomp, and Circumstance of Hunting, no longer please, and Diversion is no longer valued in proportion to its Hazards and its Perils. The Chase, in this Country, has long since been divested by circumstances, of a distinguished and prominent feature in ancient Hunting — the Pur- suit of Beasts of Pr^-, ^s a preparatory School, in which the youthful Aspirant fleshed his Sword, became familiar with personal danger, and habi- tuated to deeds of Blood. Diversion and Convivi- British Sf Foreign Si/stems — W Orleans. 291 ality are now our sole objects, Health our pretence. Hunting in Britain and Ireland possesses an ac- knowledged Character of Superiority over that of all other Countries, grounded in some respects, on an inbred propensity in the People, and the attach- ment of the landed Proprietors to their Estates in the Country ; but chiefly to the scientific matu- rity, if I may be allowed such a phrase, of our Sporting Systems, and to the elaborated excellence of our Breeds of Dogs and Horses. There is no other Country in Europe, where our Plan o{ speedy Chase, continued also so many miles over an inclosed Country, is either practised, understood, or relished. The great Hunting Establishments in France, previous to the Revolution, were merely theatres of Profligate Expence, to which their grand Noblesse occasionally resorted for the sporting purpose of butchering Waggon loads of Game, with precisely the same degree of knowledge and equal gout., as is shewn by a froward and mischie- vous Boy, who delights to knock on the head every Animal he comes near. D* Orleans, after- wards Citizen Egalite, and a precious Citizen truly was he, according to report, declared upon the Course at Epsom, several years before the Re- volution broke out, that " he equally despised the political and hunting Systems of his Country." He had already begun to innoculate his Coun- trymen with the Anglomania for Racing and Hunting. With respect to the Turf, the infection 29'i The Charms of the Chase — Quotaliim. had spread, and but for the Rcvokilionary War, France would probably soon have rivalled us, both upon the Turf and in the C'hase. In this Country, " the Charms of the Chase" have an almost universal influence, even to fasci- nation. They ibrni one of our grand National lyrical Subjects, and arc held very convenient rivals to certain others. National likewise, which would mope mortal Man to Death before his time. Not only the Noble, the Squire, the Parson, and the Farmer, delight in the Joys of the Chase, and have always a spare Neck for Fox Hunting;, but the Country Labourer, the Citizen, and the Mechanic, are inspired by the same enthusiastic ardour, which only waits the occasion to call it forth, in which the latter make few distinctions as to the object — a hunt is every thing, and all is fish that comes to net. 1 shall again draw a Text from our old Friend the Squire^ on the effect which the Chase has in arousing and stimulating to action, the Minds and Bodies of Englishmen. The old Buck, however, brimfull of his subject, his imagination heated, and his judgment undermost, cannot restrain his rapid Goose Quill, which, like a run- away Horse, dashes over hill and dale into the thickets of point blank contradiction. — " The Vulsrar cannot have the least Notion of these noble Entertainments. These Things are above the Apprehension of those who inhabit blind Alleys and dark Piazzas. Our wise Citizens have Harriers in full Cry ! 293 prudently ordained the Morning for Sleeping : since he that is first up, and abroad in the Streets, is sure to be treated with a Thousand Prospects of the HestenicB Crapulce. But fob ! let us return to the delicious Country. " I wish our morose Philosophers could but once be Witnesses of the Gladness I have often diffused through a whole Parish by a Visit with my Cry ! Poor fainting Puss having in vain made trial of the Hills and Heath-Fields, at last ven- tures to expose her Fortune to the Highways and Villages. The Pack follows with full Mouth, making the Tower and Chimneys echo to the tuneful Melody. At the enchanting Sound, what single Soul does not forget every Call of Mammon or the Flesh, and (throwing down his Food, his Tools, or his Prayer Book) run out to partake ? the Thresher in his Shirt and reeden Fillet, hastily exposes the open Barn to the Pigs and Poultry ; the whistling Ploughman drops his Tune, and leaves his Cattle staring at the Tumult : and the Taylor follows after. Slipshod and Hatless, with his Thread over his Shoulder. The School-boy flies from the hated Bellfry to the top of the Tower : the old Women hobble out three Steps beyond the Door, before they think on their Crutches ; and even the Parson of the Parish (though the gravest Man alive) mounts the old Pacer; and if he can but keep in upon the Can- ierburi/, is so gay and youthy, as to join his Halloo in Chorus with the Boys. Such a Moment is able 29-1 IJiunane Quotation — Tlu Hare. to brinir him back from Sixty to Eighteen." I o JO really believe, 1 caught my late habit of the inor- dinate use of Capital Letters, from this cmphatical and dashing literary Sf]uire. In turn, let us humanize a while, from the har- monious numbers of that soft hearted and inspired Scot, Jamie Thomson, who had not one drop in his heart, of that black blood which inflated the veins of a certain other Scotchman, prompting him to teach that — the spectacle of a few labourers perishing in the Streets for want^ might operate as a useful example of industry — nor of those at the present time, who write themselves into reputation and preferment, on the same just, humane, and politic principle. " Upliraid, ye laveniiig tribes, our wantun rage, For hunger kindles you, and lawless want. But lavish fed, in Nature's bounty roU'd, To joy at anguish, and delight in blood, Is what your horrid bosoms never knew. '* Poor is the triumph o'er the timid hare; Scar'd from the corn, and now to some lone seat Retir'd, the rushy fen ; the ragged furze, Stretch'd o'er the stony heath ; the stubble chapt ; The thistly lawn ; the thick-entangled broom ; Of the same friendly hue, the wither'd fern ; The fallow ground laid open to the sun, Concoctive : and the nodding sandy bank, Hung o'er the mazes of the mountain brook. Vain is her best precaution : tho' she sits Conceal'd with folded ears, unsleeping eyes. By Nature rais'd to take the horizon in ; And head couch'd close betwixt her hairy feet ; The Stag. 295 In act to spring away. The scented dew- Betrays her early labyrinth ; and deep, In scatter'd sullen openings, far behind. With every breeze she hears the coming storm, But nearer and more frequent, as it loads The sighing gale, she springs ainaz'd, and all The savage soul of game is up at once : The pack full-opening, various ; the shrill horn Resounding from the liills ; the neighing steed, Wild for the chase ; and the loud hunter's shout : O'er a weak, harmless^ flying creature, all Mix'd in mad tumult, and discordant joy. " The stag, too, singled from the lierd, where long He rang'd the branching monarch of the shades, Before the tempest drives. At first, in speed He, sprightly, puts his faith ; and> rous'd by fear, Gives all his swift aijrial soul to flight ; Against the breeze he darts, that way the more To leave the lessening murderous cry behind: Deception short ! tho' fleeter than the winds Blown o'er the keen-air'd mountain by the north, He bursts the thickets, glances thro' the glades. And plunges deep into the w ildest wood ; If slow, yet sure, adhesive to the track. Hot-steaming up behind him come again The inhuman rout, and from the shady depth Expel him, circling thro' his every shift. He sweeps the forest oft, and sobbing sees The glades mild-opening to the golden day ; Where, in kind contest, with his butting friends He went to struggle, or his loves enjoy. Oft in the full-descending flood he tries To lose the scent, and lave his burning sides; Oft seeks the herd ; the watchful herd alarm 'd. With selfish care avoid a brother's woe. What shall he do ? His once so vivid nerves, So full of buoyant spirit, now no more Inspire the course; but fainting breathless toil Sick seizes on his heart : he stands at bay ; 296 Hare and Slao- lluntimr. And puts liis last weak rcfuj^e in despair. 'Die big round tears run down his dappled face ; He groans in anguish ; while the growling pack, Blood-happy, hang at his fair jutting chest, And mark his beauteous chtcker'd sides with gore. " Of this enough." Thomson. I must freely own that, these sentiments of the Poet, at once so humane and rational, have ever had considerable weight in my mind, and I humbly conceive, that Hunting would lose nothing, either of its charms and allurements, or its real advan- tages, by a distinction in favour of the timid and harmless Animals ; to which, in the words of the Author I am about to quote, " the Gun and the Knife, might afford a speedy and unexpected exit." Time perhaps, and habits of gradual reflection, may work this change in their favour, and I by no means presume to advocate their cause, in the style of a liissing hot Enthusiast; far from which, were I at this instant mounted, and in view of a Hare or Stag Hunt, the probability is that, I should leave reflection behind me — Tally ho ! and join the jovial Chase. Thus much however, of matter of fact mav be adduced, on the side of distinction — no small number of our staunchest and mightiest Hunters before the Lord, have all other except Fox Hunting in supreme contempt, styling Cours- ing and Hare Hunting, child's plai/, and the Chase of the T) t ex Calf Hunting ; and I remember thirty years ago, it was a standing joke with your staunch old Fox-hunters, *' A Cocknei/^ who rides a Calf Joys of the Fox Chase ! 297 Hunting with the KingV^ The following quo- tation will shew that a man may make humane distinctions, and yet be no Enemy lo the Sports of the Field. " Hunting the Fox, which is a beast of prey, greedy of blood, a robber prowling about, seeking what creature he may devour, is not liable to a single one of the preceding objections, nor indeed to any one, in a moral view, with which I am ac- quainted. He is a fair object of Sport, who sports with the feelings of all other creatures, subjected to his powers : and a fierce and pugnaceous Animal can be liable to none of those horrors, either in his pursuit or capture, which must inevi- tably agonize the feelinars of the timid. I could never agree with the fastidious disciples of the Chesterfield School, who condemn this noble Sport in toto, merely because a number of Blockheads may chance to be attached to it ; I hold it an ex- ercise by no means unbecoming the Student or Philosopher, who may seek and find health in the pleasing fatigues of the Chase; who will feel the sympathetic and musical chords of the Soul, vibrating to the harmony of the deep-toned Pack; who will find ample cause of admiration at the wonderful and various instinctive gifts of Nature, in the sagacity and perseverance of the high-bred Hound; whilst borne as it were, on the wings of the Wind, across the " Country wide," scarcely conscious of obstacle, by their fleet and staid Cour- sers, they acquire hardihood, a love of enterprize, SyS CoHvivialiii/ — .S'o//i; ui full Cliorns. and contempt ol' danger. The labours of the day ended, the genial banquet awaits the elated and keen-set Sportsman ; the purple and golden nectar circulates briskly, among" these terrestrial Gods — Not one of them, but in his mind, echoes sinnlar sentiments with the jovial Archdeacon of Oxford, in ancient days, old W alter de Mapes. Mihi sit propositum in labcrna mori^ Vinum sit appositum yiioricntis ori, It ilicant, cum renerint Aii'^cloruin chori, Deus sit propitius Ituic potatori. *' Now goes round the Song of triumph in full Chorus, ' the Traitor is seized on and dies' — until the hospitable and almost responsive walls resound. The hap[)y Domestics, those humble friends of generous opulence, recovered from their fatigues, become inspired by the general joy, and instinctively join in the chorus. The Song is relieved by pleasing relations of hair-breadth 'scapes; of the staunchness and speed of the Hounds, and the blood and game of the Horses ; nor is love and beauty, the delight and reward of true Sportsmen, ever forgotten — old friendships are cemented, new ones cordially formed. Happy if no acts of unmanly cruelty have passed, to cloud the sunshine of mirth in the bosom of sensibility." — Lawrence s Philosophical and Practical Treatise on Horses. The Works of Markham were quoted at page 125, on the Subject of Hounds. He flourished in Markham—Old and New Chase. 5^99 the Reisns of Elizabeth and James 1. as a Writer of the greatest authority on all Veterinary and Rural Subjects, and his numerous Works had the most wonderfully extensive circulation, until within the last three or fourscore years, when men of superior pretensions, regular Surgeons and Physicians, first began to bestow their attention in this Country, on the Res Veterinarian the Veteri- nary Subject, but chiefly as it related to the Horse. The date of this Era may be fixed at about 1720. But Markham is very sufficient, indeed the best authority for our present purpose, which is merely to take a glance at the state of Hunting in his time, and to determine as to the agreement in the basis and principles of the Sport, which subsists between that period and the present time. It will perhaps thence appear, that certain, not altogether just conclusions, have been formed. Markham says — " Some love Hunting for the exercise of their own Bodies, some for the Chase they hunt, some for the running of the Hounds, and some for the training of their Horses, whereby they may find the excelling of their goodness and indurance." This latter part refers to their mixing the Chase with Racing, in Steeple Running and matching their Horses to run Train-Scents^ prac- tices long since out of date, excepting that a match across the Country to a Steeple, may periodically occur between two Men, who have more of the daring in their Constitution, than he who can snufl" a candle with his fingers. A Race of this kind 300 Agrcemenl in Essenlials. may, I tliink, be found in the Sporting Magazine, within these vear or two. Most of the grand points in the Book of Mr. Beckford, deservedly our Oracle on the Subject of Hunting, are to be Ibund in Gcrvase Marhham, which shews how early they had been considered and weighed, and rules of practice founded thereon. The middle-sized JJoiind was already preferred, the harmony of the Pack in ^lusic and Size reofu- lated, and a decided jireference given to speedy Hunting, for which the best bred Horses, calcu- lated either for the Chase or the Turf, were chosen by Sportsmen of the greatest name. This being the case, at what period are we to look for the Old English Hunter, the loss of which some Writers lament so feelingly, describing iiim as a Horse equal to very high weights, and of a common or indigenous description. To look at the Portraits of our old English strong Horses of the common kind, they would be objects of choice, I conceive, to very ievf Sportsmen. The truth is, the old English Hunter was, as the modern Hunter is, often a thorough bred Racer, still oftener a seven- eightli or three parts bred Horse, sometimes but half bred. Perhaps short legged Horses of this description, fit for the Field, might be formerly in greater plenty than at present. Rules for the Si- tuation and Construction of the Kennel, the rising Ground or Uiil, the convenience of Water, the fenced green Court, the House or Lodge, the Cauldron for Cookery, and all other essentials so Hunting — Composition of lite Pack. 301 strongly insisted on by latter Writers, aretobefound in Markluun. Hear his Panegyric on Hunting: " Now for as much as these Sports are many and divers, I think it not amisse to begin and give that recreation precedency of place, vvhich in mine opinion (however it may be esteemed partial) doth many degrees goe before, and precede all other, as being most ro3'a11 for the statelenes thereof, most artificial! for the vvisdome and cunning thereof, and most manly and warlike for the use and indurance thereof. And this I hold to be the hunting of wild Beasts in generall." On the composition of a Kennell of Hounds he teaches — " When you intend to set up a Kennel of Hounds, examine your fancy what be the best pleasures you take in Hounds, whether it be cunning in Hunting, sweetnesse, loudnesse, or deepnesse of Crie, whether it be for the training of your Horse, or else but merely for the exercise of your own body" — "if it be for cunning Hunters, you shall breed your dogges from the slowest and largest of the Northern Hounds, and the swiftest and slen- derest of the West Country Hounds, being both male and female, approved to be staunch, faire, and even running, of perfect fine sent, and not given to lie off fSkirtersJ or looke for advantages. These Hounds will neither be so exceeding slow, that you will wait many dayes without some fruit of your labour, nor so unnimble, that you shall need men to help them over every Hedge, as I have many times seen to my much wonder, but 502 AJiddle Sized—Swift Ilotoids. Imving- botli strength and nimhloncssc, will hold you in continual delight and exercise; for they are neither so swift that they will far out runnc the sent, and so fetch many tedious rings to re- cover it, nor so slow, that for want of speed they will lose the sent, and let it grow cold by their own lasinesse — so that I conclude the middle-sized hound, of good strength, sound mouth, and rea- sonable speed, which will make a horse gallop fast and not runne, is the best for the true art and use of Hunting/* The following passage will shew that, speedy Hunting, with bred Horses, is by no means a novelty : — '* If you would have your Kennell for the trayn- ing of your Horse onely, labouring thereby to bring him to the full perfection of speed, truth, and toughness, then you shall compound your Kennell of the lightest, nimblest, and swiftest dogges, such as for the most part, all your North- ern Hounds are, which running swiftly away with the Chase, will draw your Horse up to that extra- ordinary speed, that he will forget all ease or loiter- ing, and acquaint himself daily with the violence of such exercise, being so familiar therewith, that in the end it will be less troublesome to him than a slow gallop ; and hence it was and is that the North parts are so famous for the truth and swiftnesse of their Horses above all other Counties in this King- dom ; for it is most certaine that their Horses are not better bred there, than in other places, but their exercise is much stronger, and violent, through Arguments for Swift Hunting. 303 the natural swiftness of their Hounds, insomuch that unlesse a Horse either out of nature or educa- tion, be brought to a more than ordinary speed, it is impossible that his master should either see Sport, or keep company with his companions. Therefore I would have al young Gentlemen, which are addicted to the delight of Hunting or Running Horses, by all means to train them up after the swiftest Hounds." Here I conceive, we have a stone or two out of Tenterden Steeple, in old Ger- vase's logic ; for although it be obvious enough that the speediest Hounds must require well-bred, perhaps thorough-bred Horses, it is not quite so clear that, speed and stoutness in Hounds, will create the same qualities in the Horses which fol- low them. To the objections made against fast Hunting, Markham makes the following answer — " Albeit the labor be for the time most violent, vet it is not of so long continuance as that which is more slow, and to run twelvescore swiftly is not so paineful, as to walk twenty miles: for you must understand that these swift Hounds out of their metall and swiftness, do soone overshoot and run beyond the sent, and then retiring backe upon it againe, give the Horse time to ease himself, and catch new breath, whereas the slower dogges carrying the sent ever before them, keep your Horse in a con- tinuall labour, which is more paineful, and makes him a tousjh enduring: Lackev, but not a most swift running Gentleman ; besides the many faults and 30i Finders — Highwu'/ Dogs. castinos about of the swift Dosrsfes, adde such a comfort unto the Horse, who perceivcth the strength of his hibour to have no case till he come up to those faults, that he will out of the willing- nesse of his owne nature, double his courage to pursue them most swiftly, seeing his ease is ever the greater, by how much hee keepeth ever neerer to the Hounds ; for the danger of bursting, melting his grease, and other infirmities, the discretion of the Jlidcr and skill of the Keeper must prevent." Our ancient Oracle proceeds to state that, swift Hounds, from their haste, nimbleness, and mettle, are more liable to come to a fault than the slow Hounds, and yet are full as curious and of as deli- cate a power of scent as the other, which he says may be perceived by the quick apprehension of their own errors, their voluntary casting about and re- covering the scent, before the best Huntsman can come on to help them. It was the custom in ISIarkham's time, for every regular Pack of Hounds to have a Couple of good Finders, dogs staunch of mouth, and not given to open unless they lie upon a certain Train. These staunch-mouthed Dogs, Hounds or Terriers, were found lo promote the Sport, and to improve the young Hounds, silenc- ing and correcting the straggling babblers, and ren- dering them more laborious and correct. In addi- tion to these, no Pack was deemed complete with- out a Couple of staunch hight^ay Dogs, Hounds so named from their superior tenderness of Nose, which enables them to hunt as well upon a dry and Harmomj of the Pack. S05 hard-trodden Highway, as upon the freshest mould or newly ploughed earths ; such as will hunt as truly through flocks of Sheep, or herds of Beasts, as though their train of Scent had met no interrup- tion. The assistance afforded to the Pack by these two descriptions of Hounds were said to spare the Huntsman infinite pains, and to go a great way towards ensuring success. To come to the Harmony of the Pack as well in respect to the Music of their Tongues as to their Colours and equal assortment^ the old opinions and practice were as follows. If Melody or Sweetness of Cry, be the chief object, Gervase Markham thus counselleth ; but on this point, a matter of taste, it ought to be remembered that. Sportsmen differ widely, and these quotations are made only to de- monstrate how much the Subject had been studied and canvassed in those early days. " If you would have your Kennell iov sweetnesse of Cry, then you must compound it of some large Dogges, that have deepe, solemne mouthes, and are swift in spending, which must as it were, beere the base in consort, then a double number of roaring and loud ringing mouthes, which must beere the counter tenor, then some hollow, plaine, sweete mouthes, which must beere the meane or middle part: and so with these three parts of Musicke you shall make your Cry perfect : and herein you shall observe that these Hounds thus mixt, do ru7i just and even together^ and not hang off loose one from another^ which is the vilest sight X JOG Loudness — Deepness of Crt/. that may l)cc ; and you shall uiulListaiul that this composition is ijest to bee made ot" the swiftest and largest deep mouthed Dog, the slowest middle sized Dog-, and the shorter Icgd slender Dog ; amongst these You cast in a Couple or two of small singulis Beagles, which as small trebles may warble amongst them ; the Cry will be a great deal tlie more sweeter.'* " If von would have vour Kennel for loudness of Mouth, you shall not then choose the hollow deepe mouthe, but the loud clanfiing- mouthe, which spendeth freely and sharpel)', and as it were redoubleth in the utterance; and if you mix with them the mouthe that roarelh^ and the mouthe that whyneth, the Cry will be both the louder and the smarter; and the Hounds are for the most part of the middle size, neither extreme tall, nor extreme deepe flewed, such as for the most part, your Shropshire, and ^V^orceste^shire Dogs are ; and the more equally you compound thesemouthes, having as many Bourers'ds Spenders, and as many Winners as of either of the other, the louder and pleasanter your Cry will be, especially if it be in soundinc: tall Woods, or under the Eccho of Rocks." For DEEPNESS of Cry, the largest, greatest mouthed and deepest flewed Hounds are recom- mended ; and such were then bred in the Western Counties, Cheshire and Lancashire ; to five or six Couple of which, bass mouths were to be added, not more than two couple of Counter tenors, as The Pack — Present Ohjecis. 3O7 many of mean voice, and an equal number of Roarers; which being heard but now and then, as at the opening or hitting on a scent, produced a pleasant melody, not attainable in the solemn and grave sounds of the deep mouthed cry alone. I have generally presented this old Author, in his own garb of phrase and orthography, to mark the contrast of manner between his time and ours, which is far greater than the contrast of Hunting practice, in essentials at least. Few Sportsmen however of the present day, are such Martinets and Precisians, with respect to the Music of their Pack of Hounds, as were the Masters or the Pupils of Markham. Harmony is yet attainable to a high degree, where abilities of both kinds, are joined in the Master of the Pack ; and when the Master does not make a Pojic of his Huntsman, equally the fashion, as a Man of the Turf, pinning his faith on the sleeve of his head o^room. Our chief objects at present, and rational enough, because forced upon us by the nature of the case, are to suit our Hounds and Horses to the soil and con- dition of the Country, over which they are to hunt ; for although good Dogs and good Cattle will perform well in any Country, yet assuredly, a strong bred Hound and a short legged and com- pact Horse, are pointed out by common sense, as best adapted to deep and uneven lands and thick enclosures. The topic of Hunting on Foot, or Hunting BY THE Pole, so little in unison with our present 308 Hunting hi/ the Pole— Mr. Beckford. taste and custom, may be dispatched in a few words. The Pack for this hihorious Hunt, was composed of the largest and stoutest Do^rs which could he obtained, depth of mouth and close hunt- ing, being the great requisites. And these Hounds were trained to be so staunch and obedient that, when upon the hottest scent, or in full cry, upon the Pole being cast before their eyes, they would instantly make a dead stop, and afterwards, watch- ing the signal from the Huntsman, be hark'd for- ward again, at whatever rate they were directed to keep. I had formerly, a belly full of Coursing on foot, but never 9,?iw premcdilatcd Hunting on foot, nor can I conceive the very obvious facility of get- ting near enough upon two legs only, however speedy and stout, to a Pack of even the slowest Hounds running upon a hot scent, to be able to cast the hunting Pole before their eyes. It is far easier to me to take a leap of the length of two centuries, that is to say, from the time of IMarkham,to that of Mr. Beckford — who hasso well described our present Practice of Hunting, and given such solid and rational advice on the sub- ject, that his Treatise has, from the date of its publication, become a general Text Book. This Gentleman, who seems to make some pretension of belonging to the ' rhyming tribe,' remarks on the great difficulty of finding a rhyme to porringer : so great indeed, that he would hope to finish a great part of his Book, before he could complete that rhyme. But — Crambo revived — Lord Rochester. 309 Had he went to Horringer, He'd found a rhyme to Porringer, And at Horringer in Suffolk, is a Fair, where in case of need, he might have purchased a good Cow or a good Horse, and so have cranihoed profitably. Mr. Beckford remarks farther, that the game of Crambo is out of fashion ; perhaps too, that kind of ready wit, which formerly, ' sparkled in a ban mot and glittered in a reply' is lamentably out of fashion too. If so, the so often repeated Anec- dote of that Prince of Crambo, the pious Earl of Rochester, * The earliest Wit and the most sudden Saint,' may yet bear a repetition. And although I have ventured to expose my little faith in the authenti- city of Anecdotes, and of extemporaneous wise and witty sayings, referring generally their origin to the closet, yet I feel myself more inclined to give credit to the whole of the witty Crambo attributed to the aforesaid Lord, than to onehalf of that, which was afterwards related of him, by a certain grave Perso- nage. The old Story, be it a Joe Miller, or fact, is well known. Charles II. that real phenomenon, a witty King ! — said to Rochester, whilst in favour, and just arrived atone of the Royal jovial parties — We have all been here some time, a Crambo, and cannot find a rhyme to Lisbon. Rochester, with little premeditation, ended the difficulty in the fol- lowing pointed lines — 310 The Kennel— ' Here's a hcaltli to Kiite Our Sov'reigu's Mute, Of the Royal House of Lisbon, But tlic Devil take Hyde, And tiie Bishop beside, Who made her bone of his bone !' Readers of History will recollect ' the barren Sheet' of the Portugal Match. Let us now chuse the Scite, and construct a Kennel, and then replenish it with Hounds. With respect to accommodations for a few Couples of Hounds, no Person in the Country, and with a little room, need be at a loss. Part of a Barn, or Stable, or Shed, will answer the purpose with the proviso of good shelter, dry lodging, fresh air, and regular sufficient feeding, all which are however sine quel' non^ of absolute necessity, if either plea- sure or profit be seriously aimed at. I advert to this small scale, because I have sometimes known Persons who really had the ability to do better things, incumber themselves, from motives which one feels a difficulty to guess, with a few miserable, neglected, dirty and half manged Hounds, of no possible use themselves, a sore plague to their neighbours, and of which nobody would willingly rid the owner. But our business is with the Ken- nel upon a considerable and respectable scale. The preparatory step to the erection of a Ken- nel, ought to be the close inspection of several of the highest repute in the Country, for situation and convenience of every kind, the Principal being at- tended by his proposed Architect. Perhaps ac- Situation — Construe lion. 311 cording to ancient advice, a Dog Kennel ought not to be too near the Mansion House. As actual inspection will afford far more correct and satisfac- tory information than the most laboured description, it will be necessary only to bring into view the chief points. Mr. Becktbrd's advice to build to a suffi- cient extent at first, is good, since after-additions are not always made with convenience, seldom with symmetry ; and many Gentlemen have found it more advantageous to pull down and rebuild entirely, than to make additions and repair an old Kennel. If situation ctm be commanded, ' some little eminence,* in the words of the Poet, will de- serve a preference ; at any rate a dry foundation, natural or artificial, is of the utmost consequence to the health and prosperity of the Pack. An East and Southern Aspect will occur in the same view. Fronting to the ruddy dawn; its Courts On cither hand wide op'ning to receive The Sun's all-cheering beams. In the front of the Buildiiig, should be one, or two Doors, with one opposite, backwards, both for theimportant purpose of ventilation, and as in other respects, useful. All the windows and doors indeed, must be made convenientl}'^ subservient to this great purpose ; and equally so to the exclusion of cold, damp and foggy air, inimical in a degree, with the want of air, to the health of domestic Animals. It is of much consequence that, the divisions or rooms in a Kennel, be sufficiently numerous for all those separations, which must be periodically ne- ;)l^ Divisions of the Kennel — Benches. cessary. For example, the tlraugliting off of Hounds for the next day's Hunt — of the sick or hurt, or weakly which require nursing — of the Bitches in heat — of young or strange Dogs. The floor of each kennel or room, should be laid with bricks or clinkers, a descent on each side to the centre, forming a channel or gutter to carry off the water, none of which ought to be stagnant for an instant; the bricks also being mo|)ped and kept completely dry. The convenience of water must be had through leaden pipes. Stagnant moisture and damp lodging, are not only dangerous to the general health of Hounds, but produce catarrhal af- fections in the head, which diminish and blunt that acute sense of smelling, the most important property of the Animal; and many times, seem- ingly unaccountable variations in a Dog's hunting, may be attributed to this perhaps hidden cause. To keep the olfactory Nerves of the Hound, in their highest state of susceptibility and perfection, such care ought to be taken, joined to the most puncti- lious cleanliness and the avoidance of all fetid and improper scents. Seats or Benches for the Hounds to rest upon, are both agreeable to the inclinations of the Animals themselves, and of very ancient usase. Markham directs these to be five feet in breadth, and two feet and half in heicrht; they should never be so high, as to render it fatiguing for a tired Dog to leap upon them. These Benches are hinged to the Wall, and if thought necessary, may be folded up out of the way with hooks. The several Aspecl — Conveniences. 3 1 3 Courts or Yards, one of which is of Grass for the benefit of the Dogs, the others paved — the feeding Court covered in, the boiling House, and certain useful Store Houses, amply fenced with wall, or lofty paling, complete the Kennel. The Aspect should secure the presence of the Sun to as late a period of the day as possible, to bask in wliich, the Dog takes particular delight; nor should shelter against its rays, be deficient in the hot season. It is thence advantageous to plant trees around the Grass Court, with perhaps a clump in the centre. Mr. Beckford describes a Mount in this Court, a convenience, I should sup- pose particularly agreeable to the Dogs, on which to sit and enjoy themselves in the Sun. The two chief Courts should be as spacious as can possibly be allowed. About them may be placed a suffi- cient number of urining Posts, for the use of the Dogs, which will be at first attracted to them, by straw bound round the bottom, which has been rubbed with Golbanuni. Both the dung and urine of Dogs, are a powerful Manure, and should be preserved. A Gallows is necessary at the back, to hold the flesh for the Hounds, which formerly used to be preserved under water. The Gallows should be thatched above, and a defence put upon the posts, to prevent the ascent of vermin. If water could be turned to form a running stream, or brook, through the Courts of the Kennel, it would be convenient and healthy for the Dogs; but otherwise, there should be no deficiency of 314 Kennel Economtf and Managemcnl. that most necessary element. The old Huntsmen were great Advocates for one or two spacious Chimneys, in a Kennel, where, in the rigjorous season, and after a hard day's Hunt, their wearied Hounds might stretch, clean, and dry themselves for an hour or two, by a good fire, before they were put up for the night. The outlines of the Kennel have been defined, and its chief divisions and needful conveniences enumerated, leaving however, their arrangement, their juxta-position or desirableseparation,tochoice and the government of local circumstances. It is in place next, to speak of Economy and Ma- nagement. The Attendants upon a consi- derable Pack of Hounds, consist of the Huntsman and his Whipper-in, and additionally, as circum- stances may require, a Feeder. The first, of course, stands at the head of his Department, and must be qualified to stand pledged to a gene- ral responsibility, in all things relative to it, and from him there can be no appeal, but to the Lord or Proprietor. It is a place of trust, and of con- fidence in many material respects, and a Huntsman ought to be of steady and decent character, and not less than thirty years of age, and some years experience in one of the best Schools. So much has already been said on the important topics of patience and coolness of temper that, I shall only re- peat, those virtues, whether hereditary, or acquired by virtue of con"mon sense, are in no character more necessarvtl a" in that of the Huntsman. A^ Duties of the Huntsman. 315 to his natural aptitude, in point of the true game shrewdness and quickness, and that peculiar per- sonal quality, so attractive to the domestic Animals, I remind the Reader of my former hints in page 88. He ouGfht to have received sufficient education, to be able to write fairly, to keep common Accounts worthy of inspection, and to indite a letter intelli- gibly in the common forms. It is a material branch of the Duty, of this Head of the Hunting Depart- ment upon an Estate, to keep a regular account of all Outgoings, subject to the inspection and perhaps controul of the Steward, with whom periodical set- tlements are to be made and signed. A regular Kennel-Book of sufficient size, and with divisions conveniently arranged, should also be kept by every Huntsman. In this should appear, a clear account of all the Transactions of the Pack, and of the Hunt — such as the Names and Pedigrees of the Hounds — date when littered, purchase or parting with them, their state of health, different qualities, and degrees of goodness, together with all remark- able circumstances which may occur in the Chase. Between the Huntsman, and the chief Hunting- Groom, there ought ever to be a good under- standing, as between Officers in two Departments closely connected. The duties of the Kennel are, in a considerable degree, similar to those of the Stable. The Feeder enters at a certain regular stated hour in the morn- ing, according to the season, and his first business, if the mornins: be fair, is to turn out the Hounds, 3 1 G Kennii DutUs. which arc well and at large, into the open Court, to stretch, empty themselves, and prepare for their breakfast. In the mean time, the weather permit- ting, all the doors and windows are thrown open, and the Slceping-Ilooms swept, dried, and cleared of all impurity, the beds well shook, the foul straw replaced, and the whole rendered perfectly clean and airy ; ventilation being kept up through the day, by the Windows remaining wholly, or in part open, according to. the season or weather. It will occur to the Reader that, Hounds must not be turned out, to remain unsheltered in the open air, in bad weather, but into those parts of the Kennel, in which they remain in security, since none of our domesticated Animals are proof against the ill ef- fects of the atmospheric vicissitudes of this Coun- try, to which, indeed. Hounds as well as Horses are peculiarly, although irregularly subject. It is to be understood that, not only the great Sleeping- Rooms, but that every Room, Court, or part of the Kennel, be preserved in a state, comparatively, as neat and clean as those of a Dwelling- House. The walls and ceilings of every Room in the Kennel, should receive their due attention, and be kept sub- stantially white-washed ; and if any predominant offensive scent be noticed by Strangers, it will be removed by an occasional fumigation, which is also comfortable and salubrious to the Hounds. The Breakfast, already in a state of preparation, must be forthcoming by the time the Kennel is finished, into which the Hounds may afterwards Feeding — the Hours — Various Food. 317 retire to digest their meals, unless the fineness of the weather renders the open air more desirable. It will fully engage two men, to feed between twenty and forty Couple of Hounds, that the Feeder will always, on the occasion, need the assistance of the Huntsman or Whipper-in; and in fact, feeding is a duty of too much importance, not to require the constant and discriminating attention of the Hunts- man. The old Huntsmen tell us, they used to feed their Hounds before Sun-rising and at Sun-set; and in those days, the young Ladies of the family, took their Breakfasts of Neats' Tongues, hung Beef, and Bread and Cheese, washed down with good strong Beer, at six. But times have long since changed, and I am not aware of any great use it can be of, in general, at present to disturb a Kennel of Hounds before six o'clock of a summer's morning : at the same time I think that, in sum- mer-time particularly, Hounds, in many Kennels are fed too late. A punctual regularity ought to be observed as to the hours of feeding. The various kinds of food adapted to the use of Sporting Dogs, or any other, have been particu- larized at page 193. Generically, they consist of Flesh, farinaceous Substances, Roots, and Vegeta- bles ; and as in human food, a mixture of those, is most salubrious and nourishing to the Dog. The preference assigned to Oat, before Barley-meal, I have observed to be well grounded ; but I have a still higher opinion of fine Pollard, mixed in the proportion of one quarter, or one half of the Oat- 3\S rotaincs — S/orcd Oaf-mrai. meal. Potatoes also, I have used with success, and would advise the annual growth ot" some ot" the largest and most mealy sorts, tor the use of Hounds. They are, for the most part, fed in the Vacation or Summer Season, without flesh, but it is probable that, no Dog can be possessed of his full native strrnGjth and vii^^our, independently of the substantial nutriment conferred by animal food; and at any rate, all Hounds which remain weak and reduced, after the Hunting Season, should be con- stantly flesh fed, however small the quantity of flesh may be, throughout the following summer. Straw, I hold to be necessary for the comfort of Hounds, in the Summer season, although perhaps, not in so large a quantity as in Winter. Reckoning the substantial effect of each, it is not true that 15arley-meal is even so cheap as the meal of Oats; and it is a saving and convenient plan, to grow Oats of the finest and heaviest kind, which are also the cheapest, expressly for the use of Hounds. New Oats, it is well known, should not be given to Horses, nor new Meal to Dogs; thence a year's consumption at least, for the Ken- nel, should be broken into rather coarse grits, and stowed away in bins, firmly trodden down and co- vered ; or in Sugar-Hogsheads placed upon stands for a defence against Vermin. The old Kennel allowance of Oat-meal, was on the average, one quart each Dog, per day, in addition to the Flesh, Vegetables, and other aids in feeding. The cast iron Cauldron may be proportioned to the number of Feeding — Discipline. :3 1 9 Hon lids, or two may be necessary. The flesh is cooked and taken up first, when the meal is put into the Soup, and requires nearl}' an hour's boil- ing, making when cool, a fine thick jelly, which with the assistance of a middling portion of animal food, forms the strongest nourishment for Hounds. Half a bushel of good Oat-meal, to three Pecks, is sufficient, with flesh, to make up one meal for twenty Couple of Hounds. Poor Horses purchased for slaughter, and not immediately wanted, should be put into good keeping, which may greatly enhance their value to the Hounds. The Soup and Bouilli being placed in the troughs, at the usual time, it is the Huntsman's particular business, knowing as he ought to do, the state of health, condition, and appetite of every individual Dog, to be scrupulously cautious that, each and every one is fairly served, and has his full share. Both himself and Assistant must be furnished with their Whips, with which they must keep up the strictest discipline, at no time more necessary to be enforced than during meals. Amongst all Animals the strongest will drive the weak from their meat, the thing to be prevented in the present case, when the greatest attention should be bestowed upon the weakest Hounds, and those which are not hasty or good feeders ; such indeed should be fed sepa- rately, and the greatest pains taken that their ap- petites be duiv satisfied. Invalid Hounds, when 320 Discipline — Cruclltf. not too numerous, recover soonest by being suf- fered to run at large under proper inspection. The low and beir^arlv Condition of certain in- ferior Packs, demonstrate ])ut too plainly the want of intelligence ami attention in the Projjrietor, and of honesty and dilitLence in the Huntsman. Nothing is more comfortable to Hounds, in a raw and wintery morning, and more especially that immediately after a hard day's run, than to have their Soup at as high a temperature of heat, as they can receive without injury; but a dangerous ex- treme of heat must be avoided, and the conse- quence may be easily guessed, of letting in hungry and contending Dogs, to scalding pottage. Feed- ing time is that generally chosen, for grounding their Names upon the memories of the young Hounds, and for confirming habits of obedience, the attention of Animals, being particularly awake and lively, when their appetites are keen. Some are called singly, and by name, to their meal. It is a rule of Hunting Discipline that, a Hound being called, he should immediately approach you, and being touched with the handle of your Whip, or Switch, should follow you close. It is another rule, to have a roll-call of all the Hounds, in and about the Kennel, at least several times in a week. So much has been already said, on the dark and ungrateful subject of Cruelty in the manage- ment of Dogs, that a hint, as mere matter of form, will here suffice. There must be no indiscriminate Correction — Separafion. 32 1 periodical Whippings of the Hounds in the lump, the pretended necessity for which, is a sure sign of the greatest ignorance, laziness, and ill ma- nagement. One would suppose these Dog-whip- ping fellows were bred on ship-board under some flogging Martinet of a Captain, or Negro flogger, in a West India Kennel. A union of the severest discipline with the highest possible degree of kind- ness and compassion, will assure the utmost obe- dience, whether from Man or Beast. There are yet naturally refractory dispositions, which no discipline can curb at all seasons, and the best Huntsman may find his Hounds disor- derly and riotous, on some particular occasion, when there may be need of all the severity he can possibly use. Such accidents may happen in the night, or early in the morning, and the Hunts- man or Feeder should sleep within hearing of the Kennel. Quarrels and Combats will necessarily occur among the Hounds, should a proud Bitch be inattentively left among them. Dogs also, not indeed in so great a degree as Swine, are apt to take an antipathy against one in particular, and will fall upon him in a body, as they would upon a Fox, and tear him to pieces. When symptoms of growing hatred against one, appear to manifest themselves in the Kennel, the individual should be timely withdrawn. Bitches also should be withdrawn on the first symptoms of their l>eat, and it is better at any Season, to keep the young and unentered Dogs separate from the Pack. Y 322 Summer Season — Management. The Summer Season is spent in rcpniring all the losses and damages of the hist Campaign. In get- tins; rid of worthless Dogs, and replacing them, Tn nursing the sick and hurt. In disciplining the young Hounds to be entered next Season, which go out in Couples ; and in regularly exercising the Pack abroad, preparatory to the approaching, intended to be a vigorous Campaign. Hounds should be well kept between the Seasons, and prevented from growing fat by sufficient exercise, and receive the benefit of a swim of some length and continuance in a River, once a week, to which if they have to accompany the Horses ten or a dozen miles, it will be beneficial exercise, and help to harden and enseam their flesh, and prove a lar better preventive of tat, than certain economi- cal plans of Starvation^ which never yet answered the proposed end, either with Dog or Horse. He who would ride and hunt well, must feed both his Horses and Dogs constantly well. I repeat — Mange in Hounds is generally the result of a mangy management ; otherwise. Vegetables in the Summer, boiled in their Victuals, together with plenty of Dog-grass, are a cjood preventive, and the rest may be effected by an exhibition of Sulphur and Antimony, during two or three weeks. Hounds given to gorge themselves, will require perhaps two or three Aloetic purges, previously to the commencement of the Hunting Season. I have occasionally witnessed such occurrences at a Hunting Establishment, as the whole Summer Feeding — Opinions. 323 being made a season of indolence, drinking and jollity, to the utter neglect of essentials both in the Stable and Kennel. Such charges will, in more senses than one, be placed to the account of the Proprietor. Servants like these, are the ministers of pleasure, and fairly entitled to their share of it; but it is equally fair that, the condition should be a faithful discharge of their duty. It was a maxim with the old Huntsmen, to feed their Hounds in the Hunting Season, on their days of rest, with the strongest meat ; in their phrase — ' to breed strength and lust in a Hound.* Their strongest meat consisted of — ' horse-flesh newly slain and warm at the feeding, the entrails and gar- bage of Beasts, lungs only excepted, or the heads, plucks and bowels of Sheep, or generally any Car- rion which is not old, nor cold after death.' They entertained a notion, and it prevails with some still, that horse-flesh ought not to be allowed the day before hunting,as the excessive high scent of it may so prevail in their nostrils as to render their sense of smelling obtuse, and interfere with the scent which they are to hunt. I must own, I have never seen the slightest indication of a Hound's nose being affected in that way, nor do I think it possi- ble, especially after the lapse of so many hours; nor am I, by any means, an advocate for light feeding of Hounds, the day before Hunting, more especially after they have worked hard, and in the advance of the Season. I conceive, if Hounds be fed early the previous day, and thence have a long 39 \ Feed in a;. repose, no indulgence in feeding can be too great for tlieni, since their meat will be perfectly di- gested, and their bodies sufficiently emptied and lightened, in all probability, long before they have found, and are required to run. Moreover, they may have ten or a dozen miles to travel to cover, after having performed which journey, the light feeding and speedy Hounds, which have eaten nothing for the past sixteen or eighteen hours, ap- pear as if matched to be drawn through a ring. I know well from multiplied observations that, neither Dogs nor Horses can run fat or full. In either case, the functions of the diaphragm, on which continued action depends, are impeded, or in case of great stress, instantaneously suspended, and down drops the Animal; having run, as we should say, until he burst himself. But the apprehension of this, has led the Trainers for the Turf and Chase, into another extreme, and another danger at least equal to that, which they have been so solicitous to avoid. They have often brought their Racers to the Starting Post, and their Hounds to Cover, in too weak a state. Hounds which have alreadv worked hard, and which hunt eagerly, supposing they had a journey to cover, could I conceive, contract no possible in- jury from a light repast, even on the morning of Hunting ; of which however, I do not insist on the necessity. The Meat given on the day before Hunting, in the old time, was called Mang or sweet-meat, consisting of the usual Oatmeal broth Feeding after the Chase. 325 made thick and enriched with Butter-milk or Whey, Kitchen offal, broken bones, or any thing to be procured of that description. There can be no better than the old Rules for the treatment of Hounds, on their return from Hunting. It was directed to prepare for them an ample and hot repast, in which if possible, horse flesh, fresh killed, made a considerable part ; and to feed them instantly on their arrival. A comfort- able bed of sweet fresh straw was an important consideration, previously to their retirement to which, the Hounds, in cold weather, as has been said, were indulged with the privilege of basking before good fires. The next direction was to wash the feet of all the Hounds, in warm butter and beer. Beef broth, or water in which Mallows and Nettles had been boiled soft and tender; every claw being afterwards carefully searched for thorns, stubs or wounds ; a business, for which leisure is seldom found, until the next morning, nor are wearied Hounds in a proper condition to admit of it. The Soup ordered for weak and sickly Hounds consisted of Sheeps' heads with the wool on, bruised to pieces, and trotters bruised, boiled with Oatmeal and Pennyroyal, given quite warm. I know nothing of the virtues of Pennyroyal in the case, as little of those of wool, taken into a Dog's stomach ; but I am inclined to think that, onions, affording the strongest nutriment of all Vegetables, would be a good substitute for both. We have many princely and magnificent Hunt- J26 Kennels on the great Scale. ing Establishments in this Country, at the head of which probably, are to be ranked those of the Duke of Richmond in Sussex, and the Earl of Darling- ton in Yorkshire. The Duke*s Kennel at Good- wood, according to Mr. Daniel, cost nineteen thousand Pounds, being sufficiently extensive to accommodate two Packs of Hounds. The building comprises five Kennels : two, 36 feet by 1 5 — three 30 by \5 — and two feeding Rooms 20 by 15; with Stoves to warm the air in Winter. The Huntsmen and VVhij)pers-in, have each a Parlour, Kitchen and Bedroom, We believe however that, the great Establishments cited, are distinguished rather by that grand and extensive scale of conve- nience, so well becoming the high estate and dig- nity of their princely Owners, than by that gor- geous and ostentatious magnificence which it was the purpose of the Poet to reprobate — Let no Corinthian Pillars prop the Dome, A vain expence, on charitable Deeds Better dispos'd, to clothe the tatter'd Wretch, Who shrinks beneath the Blast, to feed the Poor Pinch'd with afflictive Want : For Use, not State, Gracefully plain, let each Apartment rise. O'er all let Cleanliness preside. — In a great fortune well dispensed, magnificence of expenditure may well join hands, and even co- operate with the most extensive charity. The present writer is no leveller ; he entertains no envy or hatred towards the rich and great, but the strongest attachment to the just and good of what- Purchase and Naming the Pack. 327 ever degree ; and as an advocate for general right, never overlooks the sacred rights of property. To provide a Pack of Hounds in the first in- stance, is a matter of some difficulty, with respect to a choice of the means ; nor ought it to be ex= pected that a capital Pack can be obtained, but from the sedulous exertions and experience of some years. The purchase of such a Pack when the opportunity offers, must necessarily be high. Sir William Lovvther some years since, purchased Mr. Noel's Fox Hounds at the price of one thousand Guineas. As a Gentleman devoted to the Sport, cannot aftbrd to lose time, his readiest mode I ap- prehend, is, having engaged a Huntsman on whom he can depend, to commission him to collect twenty or thirty Couples of Hounds, in lots, as he can find them. Thus a tolerable Pack, the ut- most which must be expected, may be formed for the commencement ; occasional additions and im- provements may be made, and time afforded for BREEDING and the gradual attainment of that su- perior excellence, of which the Proprietor ought to be ambitious. The different Species of Hounds and their various appropriations have been already adverted to. The NAMING of Hounds would seem to be a matter of some difficulty and consequence, by the long lists of both male and female Appellatives, which we find in Sporting Books. Of the conse- quence there can be no doubt, since a Huntsman would be truly at fault, with a Pack of Dogs be- fore him, and without a name to call them by. 328 Branding- — Rounding. An old iViend of mine, ccjually a V'^otary of the Bottle and the Chase, whose mind could endure no fatigue, nor memory any stretching, asked the Parson of the Parish, over the second or third bot- tle, to furnish him with some names for his Hounds, and his Reverence began with Carahonludiy New- bockenlobcLshoJux, and Aldcharan ! The combined wits of the Owner of a Pack, his Huntsman and Whipper-in, will surely always be sufficient to in vent the names, which !nay be as pithy as can be ima- gined, and may lawiully consist of one syllable, but ifpossible,should never exceed two. Young Hounds should be nametl soon after they have left the Bitch and are caj)able of some little discipline. It is an old Custom to name all those of one litter, with a name commencing with the initial letter of the Dog that got, or the Bitch that bred them. All young Hounds should be branded in the side, with the initials of their Proprietor's name, as a caution against loss or dispute. From the Bitch they are usually put out to Walk or keep, until old enough to be admitted into the Kennel. Their Ears may be rounded at six months old, in cool weather, that they may not bleed profusely, but not while under the Distemper. It is directed to feed young Hounds twice a day, but all Hounds ought to be fed twice a day, to make the most of them. If it be judged worth while to keep thin filleted and ill formed Dogs, from an opinion of their blood or other reason, they may as well be castrated, which will take something from the trouble of keeping ihem ; the same with respect to Bitches, if a skil= Spading — Like produces Like. yro- porliofiallf/, considering the inferior size and extent of reach, in the smaller Animals. Several oppor- tunities have occurred of a trial between the Grey- hound and Race Horse. In December 1800, a Speed of the Greyhound — Charles I. 353 Mare having been matched to run over Doncaster Race Course for one hundred Guineas, started alone ; and having galloped about a mile, a Grey- hound Bitch joined her, and ran with her the other three miles, head to head, the Jockey, as it was understood, really making it a race, and the Mare shewing the same emulation as she would have demonstrated towards a racing Antagonist of her own Species. At the Distance Post, five to four were betted on the Bitch ; when they reached the Stand it was even betting. The Mare won by a head. Many instances have occurred of real racing Courses of the Hare, by Greyhounds in an open Country, to the length of five or half a dozen miles, in which the Hare has been fairly run to death, and the Dogs to a stand still ; the Horses, parti- cularly the common bred ones, being more dis- tressed for the short time, than in a Chase with Hounds, and even most of the Field knocked up. Neither the Greyhound nor Hare, it may be ob- served, are so stout, in the Turf phrase lasting, as the Horse, the Hound, the Fox, and the Deer, and I believe, it may be added, the Wolf. Of the two former, speed is the play. Charles I. indubitably intended by nature for an honest man, butruined by a fanatical and despotic education, was said during his troubles, to have described the Greyhound as endowed with all the good nature of the Spa- niel without his fawning. Craving the old King's pardon, I have found a number of Greyhounds, A A 354; Varieties — Trainin