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THE
SCHOOL
OF
Recreation:
OR A
GUIDE
To the
Most Ingenious Exercises
OF
Hunting. Hawking.
Riding. Tennis.
Racing. Bowling.
Fireworks. Ringing.
Military Singing.
Discipline. Cock-Fighting.
The Science of Fowling.
Defence. Angling.
By _R. H._
_London_, Printed for _H. Rhodes_, at the _Star_, the Corner of _Bride
Lane, Fleet-street_. 1696.
_The School of Recreation._
[Illustration]
_Printed for Henry Rodes near Bride lane in Fleet streete._
The PREFACE TO THE READER.
_Reader, in this small Book you will find such Variety of Recreations,
that nothing of the nature ever appeared so like Accomplish'd in any one
Volume, of what Largeness soever: For besides my own Experience in these
acceptable and delightful Particulars, reduced under proper Heads, easy
to be understood, and put in practice; I have taken the Opinions of
those whose Ingenuity had led them to these Exercises in Particular or
General, and are approved for the Performance of them in the exactest
manner, whose judicious Approbations the more embolden'd me to a
Publication of them: In which you will not only find Pleasure, and keep
up a Healthful Constitution in moderately pursuing them, but in most or
all of them find considerable Profit and Advantage, when you can spare
leisure Hours from your Devotions, or to unbend your Cares after the
tiresome Drudgery of weighty_ Temporal Matters; _Not that I think it is
proper so eagerly to pursue them, as if you made them rather a_
Business _than a_ Recreation; _for though in themselves they are
harmless, yet a continual or insatiate Prosecution of any Thing, not
only lessens the Pleasure, but may render it hurtful, if not to your
self, yet in giving Offence to others, who will be apt to reflect upon
such as seem to doat upon them, and wholly neglect their other Affairs._
_We find the Taste of Honey is delicious and desirable, yet Nature
over-burthened with too great a Quantity, Surfeits, and begets a
loathing of it. Wherefore to Conclude, I commend them as they are,_ viz.
_Suitable_ Recreations _for the_ Gentry _of_ England, _and others,
wherein to please and delight themselves. And so not doubting this_ Work
_will be accepted, as it was well meant to serve my_ Country-Men, _I
take leave to subscribe myself, Kind Reader_,
Your most humble
and obliging Servant,
_R. H._
OF HUNTING.
Hunting, being a Recreation that challenges the sublime Epithets of
Royal, Artificial, Manly, and Warlike, for its Stateliness, Cunning, and
Indurance, claims above all other Sports the Precedency; and therefore I
was induced to place it at the Head to usher in the rest.
But to come to the Purpose: The young Hunter, as yet raw in the true
Knowledge of this Royal Sport, with what is meerly necessary and useful,
without amusing him with superfluous Observations for his Instruction: I
shall therefore observe throughout this Treatise this Method: 1. The
several _Chases_ or Games which fall under the First Denomination,
Hunting. 2. The genuine of Infallible Rules whereby we are to direct our
selves, for the obtaining the true Pleasure in prosecuting the same, and
the desired Effects of it.
Know than; the Beasts of Venery or Forest, are, _viz._ The _Hart_,
_Hinde_, _Hare_.
As likewise the Wild Beasts, or Beasts of Chace are, _viz._ the _Buck_,
_Doe_, _Fox_, _Marten_, _Roe_.
The Beasts of Warren, are, _viz._ _Hares_, _Coneys_, _Roes_.
_Note_, The _Hart_ and _Hind_ before spoken of, though they are of one
kind, yet, because their Seasons are several, are esteemed distinct
Beasts; and in the _Hart_ is included the _Stag_, and all red _Deer_ of
Antlier.
And because I reckon it the most necessary part of the Hunter to
understand the Names, Degrees, Ages, and Seasons of the aforesaid
different Beasts of Forest or Venery, Chase, and Warren, I therefore,
present him with these following
_Beasts of Forest_, &c.
The _Hart_, the first year is called a _Hind-Calf_, 2 A _Knobber_, 3 A
_Brock_ 4 A _Staggard_, 5 A _Stag_, 6 A _Hart_.
The _Hind_ the first Year a _Calf_, 2 A _Hearse_, 3 A _Hind_.
The _Hare_, the first Year a _Leveret_, 2 A _Hare_, 3 A great _Hare_.
_Beasts of Chase._
The _Buck_, The first Year is called a _Fawn_, 2 A _Pricket_, 3 A
_Sorrel_, 4 A _Sore_, 5 A _Buck_ of the first Head, 6 A Great _Buck_.
The _Doe_, the first Year a _Fawn_, 2 A _Teg_, 3 A _Doe_.
The _Fox_, the first Year a _Cub_, 2 a _Fox_.
The _Marten_, the first Year A _Cub_, 2 A _Marten_.
The _Roe_ the first Year A _Kid_, 2 A _Gyrl_, 3 A _Hemuse_, 4 A
_Roe-Buck_ of the first Head, 5 A Fair _Roe-Buck_.
As for the Beasts of Warren, the _Hare_ being spoken of before, little
or nothing is to be said. The _Coney_ is first A _Rabbet_, and then an
Old _Coney_.
Thus much for their Names, Degrees, and Ages: Now let us next observe
their proper Seasons for Hunting.
The _Hart_ or _Buck_, beginneth fifteen days after _Mid-Summer-Day_, and
lasteth till _Holy-Rood-Day_.
The _Fox_, from _Christmass_, and lasteth till the Annunciation of the
Blessed _Virgin Mary_.
The _Hind_ or _Doe_, from _Holy-Rood-Day_, till _Candlemas_.
The _Roe-Buck_, from _Easter_, till _Michaelmas_.
The _Roe_, from _Michaelmas_, till _Candlemas_.
The _Hare_, from _Michaelmas_, to the end of _February_.
Thus much I thought fit to speak briefly of the proper Names, Degrees,
Ages, and Seasons of the several Chases which we Hunt: But having almost
forgot some, I shall insert here, as intending to speak somewhat of
them, and they are the _Badger_, _Otter_, and Wild _Goat_.
As for the Terms of Art appropriated to Hunting. And now I bring you to
the second thing I proposed, _viz._ the Rules and Measures we are to
learn and observe in the aforementioned Sports or Chases; and in this we
must begin with the Pursuers or Conquerors of these Chases, namely.
_Of Hounds._
There are several kinds of Hounds, endued with Qualities suitable to the
Country where they are bred; and therefore consult his Country, and you
will soon understand his Nature and Use: As for instance, the Western
Countries of _England_, and Wood-land, Mountainous Countries, as also
_Cheshire_, and _Lancashire_, breed the _slow-Hound_; a large great Dog,
tall and heavy. _Worcestershire_, _Bedfordshire_, and many other well
mixt Soyls, where the Champaign and Covert are equally large, produce
the _Middle sized_ Dog, of a more nimble Composure than the
fore-mentioned, and fitter for Chase. _Yorkshire_, _Cumberland_,
_Northumberland_, and the North parts, breed the Light, Nimble, swift
slender Dog. And our open Champaigns train up excellent Grey-Hounds,
hugely admired for his Swiftness, Strength, and Sagacity. And lastly,
the little _Beagle_ bred in all Countries, is of exceeding Cunning, and
curious Scent in Hunting.
For the Choice of Hounds we are to rely much on their Colours, and
accordingly make our Election. The Best and most Beautiful of all for a
general Kennel, is, the White Hound, with Black Ears, and a black spot
at the setting on of the Tail, and is ever found to be both of good
Scent, and good Condition, and will Hunt any Chase, but especially the
_Hare_, _Stag_, _Buck Roe_, or _Otter_, not sticking at Woods or Waters.
The next is the Black, the blacktann'd, or all Liver hew'd, or the milk
White Hound, which is the true _Talbot_, is best for the string, or
line, as delighting in Blood; the Largest is the comliest and best. The
_Grizled_, usually shag-hair'd, are the best Verminers; and so fittest
for the _Fox_, _Badger_, or other hot Scents; a couple of which let not
your Kennel be without, as being exceeding good cunning Finders.
For the Shape of your Hound, you must consult the Climate of his Breed,
and the natural Composition of his Body; but by these following
Characters you may know a good Hound. If you like a large, heavy, true
_Talbot_ like Hound, see
His Head be round and thick. Nose short and uprising. Nostrils wide and
large. Ears larger and down-hanging. Upper lip-Flews lower than his
Nether Chaps. Back strong and rising. Fillets thick and great. Thighs
and Huckle-bones round. Hams streight. Tail long and rush grown. The
Hair of his Belly hard and stiff. Legs big and lean. Foot like a
_Fox's_, well clawed and round. Sole dry and hard. All these shew an
able Hound.
If you would choose a swift light Hound, the _Yorkshire_ one in the
generality will please you; for that (as these have) he ought to have a
slenderer Head, longer Nose, shallower Ears and Flews, broad Back, gaunt
Belly, small Tail, long Joynts, round Foot; and in fine of a
Gray-Hound-like Make.
Thus much to direct the choice of Hounds; now something ought to be
spoken of the Composition of Kennels, wherein I must appeal to the
Affection of the Gentleman, the Lover of this Sport, and let him tell me
the Reasons that induced him take pleasure in Hounds, whether it be he
fancies Cunning in Hunting? Or Sweetness, Loudness, or Deepness of Cry?
Or for the Training his Horses? Or for the Exercise of his Body only?
If for Cunning Hunting; breed your Dogs from the slowest and largest of
the forementioned Northern Hounds, and the swiftest and slenderest of
the West Country, of both Kinds, approved to be not given to lie off, or
look for Advantages, but staunch, fair, even running, and of perfect
fine Scent. These will make a Horse gallop fast, and not run; being
middle-siz'd, not too swift as to out-run, or too slow as to lose the
Scent; are the best for the true Art and Use of Hunting.
If for Sweetness of Cry; compound your Kennel of some large Dogs, of
deep solemn Mouths, and swift in spending, as the _Base_ in the Consort;
then twice so many roaring, loud ringing Mouths, as the _Counter-Tenor_:
And lastly, some hollow plain sweet Mouths, as the _Mean_: So shall your
Cry be perfect. Observe that this Composition be of the swiftest and
largest deep Mouth'd Dog, the slowest and middle-siz'd, and the shortest
Legged slender Dog. For these run even together.
If for Loudness of Mouth, choose the Loud clanging (redoubling as it
were) Mouth, and to this put the roaring, spending, and Whining Mouth,
which will be loud, smart, and pleasant: Such are for the most part your
_Shropshire_, and _Worcestershire_ Dogs.
If (lastly) for deepness of cry, the largest dogs having the greatest
Mouths, and deepest flews, are the best; such are your West-Country,
_Cheshire_, and _Lancashire_ Dogs.
But if you have your Kennel for Training Horses only; then compound your
Kennel of the lightest, nimblest, and swiftest Dogs, such as your
Northern Hounds are. For the strong and violent Exercises of their
Horses, through the Natural Velocity of their Hounds, in the North
parts, have render'd them famous for Truth and Swiftness above all other
parts of _England_.
Lastly, If for the Maintenance of your Health, by preventing Infirmities
and Grossness of Humours, you compose your Kennel; consult first your
own Ability for this Exercise; and if you think you are able to foot it
away, then the Biggest and slowest Dogs you can get are best. But if
you would pad it away through an Unability of footing it, than choose
the slowest or middle-siz'd Hounds, of good Mouths and Noses, for loud
Cry, and ready Scent.
Thus far for the Composing a Kennel: I come now to the _Kennel it self_,
of which I need say little, as indeed unnecessary, leaving that to the
Discretion of the _Huntsman_; only I would have him observe, that it be
built some pretty way distant from the Dwelling-House, in a warm dry
Place, free from Vermine, and near some Pond or River of fresh Water;
and so placed, that the Morning Sun may shine upon it. Be sure to keep
it clean, and let them not want fresh Straw every day. Feed them early
in the Morning at Sun-rising, and at Sun-set in the Evening. As for the
Meat, I leave to the ingenious Huntsman to get when they come from
Hunting; after you have fed them well, let them to their Kennel, and
wash their Feet with Beer and Butter, or some such thing, and pick and
search their Cleys, for Thorns, Stubs, or the like: If it is in
_Winter_, let a Fire be made, and let them beak and stretch themselves
for an hour or so at the fire, and suffer them to lick, pick, and trim
themselves; hereby to prevent the _Diseases_ incident to them, upon
sudden Cooling, as the _Mange_, _Itch_, _Fevers_, &c.
But before I treat of the keeping your Hounds in Health by curing their
Diseases, I must speak a Word or two of the way to _Breed good Whelps_,
viz. Having a Hound and a Bratch of that general Goodness in Size,
Voice, Speed, Scent, and Proportion you like, put them together to
ingender in _January_, _February_, or _March_, as the properest Months
for Hounds, Bitches, and Bratches to be Limed in; because of not _losing
time_ to enter them. When you put them together, observe, as near as
you can, if the _Moon_ be in _Aquarius_ or _Gemini_; because the Whelps
will then never run Mad, and the Litter will be double as many Dogs, as
Bitch-Whelps. When your Bitch is near her _Whelping_, separate her from
the other Hounds, and make her a Kennel particularly by her self; and
see her Kennell'd every Night, that she might be acquainted and
delighted with it, and so not seek out unwholsom Places; for if you
remove the Whelps after they are Whelp'd, the Bitch will carry them up
and down till she come to their first Place of Littering; and that's
very dangerous. Suffer not your Whelps to Suck above two Months, and
then _Wean_ them.
When your Whelps are brought up, _enter_ them not into Hunting till they
are at least a Year and half old: That is, if whelpt in _March_, enter
them _September_ come Twelve Month; if in _April_, in _October_ come
Twelve Months after, _&c_.
When you would _enter_ them, bring them abroad, with the most Staunch
and best Hunting hounds; (all babling and flying Curs being left at
home:) and a _Hare being the best entering Chase_, get a _Hare_ ready
before, and putting her from her Form, view which way she takes, and
then lay on your Hounds, giving them all the Advantages may be; if she
is caught, do not suffer them to break her, but immediately taking her,
strip off her Skin, and cutting her to pieces, give every part to your
young Whelps; and that beget in them a Delight in Hunting.
_Diseases incident to Dogs, and their Cures._
_For Sick Dogs._ Take Sheeps-heads, Wooll and all, hack, and bruise them
into pieces, make Pottage of it with Oatmeal, and _Penny-Royal_, and
give it warm.
_Lice and Fleas._ Boyl four or five handfuls of _Rue_, or _Herb of
Grace_, in a Gallon of running Water, till a Pottle be consumed, strain
it, and put two Ounces of _Staves-acre_ poudered, and bathe them with it
warm.
_Itch._ Take Oyl of _Flower-de-Lys_, Powder of _Brimstone_, and dry'd
_Elicampane-Roots_, of each a like quantity, and _Bay-Salt_ powdered;
mix these Powders with the Oyl, and warm it, anoint, scratch, and make
it bleed, it will do well.
_Tetter._ Take _Black Ink_, Juice of _Mint_ and _Vinegar_, of each
alike, mix them altogether with Powder of _Brimstone_ to a Salve, and
anoint it.
_Worms._ Give your Hound _Brimstone_ and new _Milk_, it will kill them.
_Gauling._ May _Butter_, yellow _Wax_ and unflackt _Lime_, made to a
Salve, and Anoint therewith, is a present Remedy.
_Mange._ Take two Handfuls of _Wild-Cresses_, of _Elicampane_, of the
Leaves and Roots of _Roerb_ and _Sorrel_, the like quantity, and two
Pound of the Roots of _Frodels_, Boyl them all well in Lye and Vinegar,
strain it, and put therein two Pound of _Grey Soap_, and after 'tis
melted, rub your Hound with it four or five days together.
_For any Ear Disease._ Mix _Verjuice_ and _Chervile_ Water together, and
drop into his Ears a spoonful or two, Morning and Evening.
_Sore Eyes._ Chew a Leaf or two of _Ground Ivy_, and spit the Juice into
his Eyes.
_Surbaiting._ Wash his feet with _Beer_ and _Butter_, and bind young red
_Nettles_ beaten to a Salve to his Soles.
_Biting by Snake, Adder_, &c. Beat the Herb _Calaminth_ with
_Turpentine_, and yellow _Wax_ to a Salve, and apply it. To expel the
inward Poyson, give the said Herb in Milk.
_Biting by a Mad Dog._ Wash the place with _Sea-Water_; or strong
_Brine_, will Cure him. The quantity of a Hazel-Nut of _Mithridate_,
dissolved in Sweet Wine, will prevent inward Infection.
_Madness._ Lastly, If your Hound be Mad, which you will soon find by his
separating himself from the rest, throwing his Head into the Wind,
foaming and slavering at Mouth, snatching at every thing he meets, red
fiery Eyes, stinking filthy Breath; then to Knock him in the Head, is a
present Remedy, and you'l prevent infinite Dangers.
And now I proceed to give some brief Instructions for Hunting the
several Chases, _viz._ the _Time when?_ and the _Manner how?_
Having your Kennel of Hounds in good order and plight, lead them forth,
and to your Game; only take this Caution; do not forget to have in your
Pack a couple of _Hounds_, called _Hunters in the High-wayes_, that will
Scent upon hard Ground, where we cannot perceive Pricks or Impressions;
and let a couple of _Old stench Hounds_ accompany you, by whose sure
Scent, the too great Swiftness of the young and unexperienced Ones may
be restrained and regulated.
_Of Hart_ or _Stag Hunting._
To understand the _Age_ of this our Game, it is known by several Marks,
amongst which this is the most authentick: That if you take his view in
the ground, and perceive he has a large Foot, a thick Heel, a deep
Print, open Cleft and long space, then be assured he is Old; as the
Contrary concludes him Young.
To find him? Examine the following Annual, or Monethly.
_November_, in Heaths among Furs, Shrubs, and Whines.
_December_, in Forests among thick and strong Woods.
_January_, in Corners of the Forests, Corn-fields, _Wheat_, _Rye_, &c.
_February_ and _March_, amongst Young and thick Bushes.
_April_ and _May_, in Coppices and Springs.
_June_ and _July_, in Out-Woods and Purlieus nearest the Corn-fields.
_September_ and _October_, after the first showers of Rain, they leave
their Thickets, and go to Rut, during which time there is no certain
place to find them in.
When you have found him in any of these places, be careful to go up the
Wind; and the best time to find him is before _Sun-rising_, when he goes
to feed; then watch him to his Leir, and having lodged him, go and
prepare; if he is not forced, he will not budge till Evening.
Approaching his Lodging, cast off your _Finders_, who having Hunted him
a Ring or two, cast in the rest; and being in full Cry and maine Chase,
Comfort and Cheer them with Horn and Voice. Be sure to take notice of
him by some _Mark_, and if your Dogs make _Default_, rate them off and
bring them to the _Default_ back, and make them cast about till they
have undertaken the first _Deer_; then cheer them to the utmost, and so
continue till they have either set up or slain him. It is the Nature of
a _Stag_, to seek for one of his kind, when he is Imbost or weary, and
beating him up, ly down in his place; therefore have a watchful eye unto
_Change_. As likewise by taking _Soil_ (i.e. Water) he will swim a River
just in the middle down the Stream, covering himself all over, but his
Nose, keeping the middle, least by touching any Boughs he leave a Scent
for the _Hounds_; And by his Crossings and Doublings he will endeavour
to baffle his Persuers: In these Cases have regard to your _Old Hounds_,
as I said before. When he is Imbost or weary, may be known thus: By his
Creeping into holes, and often lying down, or by his running stiff, high
and lumpering, slavering and foaming at Mouth, shining and blackness of
his Hair, and much Sweat; and thus much for _Stag_ or _Hart Hunting_. As
for the _Buck_ I shall not speak any thing, for he that can Hunt a
_Stag_ well, cannot fail Hunting a _Buck_ well. As likewise for the _Roe
Hunting_, I refer you to what is spoken of the _Hart_ or _Stag_.
_Of Hare Hunting._
As for the _Time_, the most proper to begin this Game, note; That about
the middle of _September_ is best, and to end towards the latter end of
_February_, when surcease, and destroy not the young early Brood of
_Leverets_; and this Season is most agreeable likewise to the nature of
_Hounds_; moist and cool. Now for the _Place_ where to find her, you
must examine and observe the Seasons of the Year; for in Summer or
Spring time, you shall find them in Corn-fields and open places, not
sitting in Bushes, for fear of Snakes, Adders, _&c_. In _Winter_ they
love Tuffs of Thorns and Brambles, near Houses: In these places you must
regard the _Oldness_ or _Newness_ of her _Form_ or _Seat_, to prevent
Labour in Vain: If it be plain and smooth within, and the Pad before it
flat and worn, and the Prickles so new and perceptible, that the Earth
seems black, and fresh broken, then assure your self the Form is new,
and from thence you may Hunt and recover the _Hare_; if the contrary, it
is old, and if your _Hounds_ call upon it, rate them off. When the
_Hare_ is started and on Foot, step in where you saw her pass, and
hollow in your _Hounds_ till they have undertaken it, then go on with
full Cry. Above all, be sure to observe her first Doubling, which must
be your direction for all that day; for all her other after Doublings,
will be like that. When she is thus reduced to the _slights_ and
_shifts_ she makes by Doublings and Windings, give your Dogs _Time_ and
_Place_ enough to cast about your Rings, for unwinding the same; and
observe her _leaps_ and _skips_ before she squat, and beat curiously all
likely places of Harbour: She is soon your Prey now.
_Of Coney Catching._
Their _Seasons_ are always, and the way of taking them thus: Set
Pursenets on their Holes, and put in a _Ferret_ close muzzled, and she
will boult them out into the Nets: Or blow on a sudden the Drone of a
Bag-Pipe into the Burrows, and they will boult out: Or for want of
either of these two, take Powder of _Orpiment_ and _Brimstone_, and
boult them out with the Smother: But pray use this last seldom, unless
you would destroy your Warren. But for this sport _Hays_ are to be
preferred above all.
_Of Fox-Hunting._
_January_, _February_, and _March_, are the best Seasons for Hunting the
_Fox_ above Ground, the Scent being then strong, and the coldest Weather
for the _Hounds_, and best finding his Earthing. Cast off your sure
Finders first, and as the _Drag_ mends, more; but not too many at once,
because of the Variety of Chaces in Woods and Coverts. The Night before
the Day of Hunting, when the _Fox_ goes to prey at Midnight, find his
Earths, and stop them with Black Thorns and Earth. To find him draw your
_Hounds_ about Groves, Thickets, and Bushes near Villages; Pigs and
Poultry inviting him to such Places to Lurk in. They make their Earths
in hard Clay, stony Grounds, and amongst Roots of Trees; and have but
one Hole straight and long. He is usually taken with _Hounds_,
_Grey-Hounds_, _Terriers_, _Nets_ and _Gins_.
_Of Badger Hunting._
This Creature has several Names, as _Gray Brock_, _Boreson_, or
_Bauson_; and is hunted thus. First go seek the Earths and Burrows where
he lieth, and in a clear Moon-shine Night, stop all the Holes but one or
two, and in these fasten Sacks with drawing Strings; and being thus set,
cast off your _Hounds_, and beat all the Groves, Hedges, and Tuffs
within a mile or two about, and being alarm'd by the Dogs they will
repair to their Burrows and Kennels, and running into the Bags, are
taken.
_Of the Martern or wild Cat._
These two Chases are usually hunted in _England_, and are as great
Infesters of Warrens, as the two last mentioned Vermine, but are not
purposely to be sought after; unless the Huntsman see their place of
Prey, and can go to it; and if the _Hound_ chance to cross them, sport
may be had. But no Rule can be prescribed how to find or hunt them.
_Of the Otter._
This Creature useth to lye near Rivers in his Lodging, which he
cunningly and artificially builds with Boughs, Twigs and Sticks. A great
Devourer of Fish. It is a very sagacious and exquisitely Smelling
Creature, and much Cunning and Craft is required to hunt him. But to
take him, observe this in short. Being provided with _Otter-Spears_ to
watch his Vents, and good _Otter-Hounds_, beat both sides of the River's
Banks, and you'll soon find if there is any. If you find him, and
perceive where he swims under Water, get to stand before him when he
_Vents_, (_i.e._ takes breath) and endeavour to strike him with the
Spear: If you miss him, follow him with your _Hound_, and if they are
good for _Otter_, they will certainly beat every Tree root, _Bul-rush
Bed_, or _Osier-Bed_, so that he cannot escape you.
_Of the wild Goat._
The _Wild-Goat_ is as big and as fleshy as a _Hart_, but not so
long-legg'd. The best time for hunting them is, at _All-hallontide_; and
having observed the Advantages of the Coasts, Rocks, and Places where
the _Goats_ lie, set Nets and Toils towards the Rivers and Bottoms; for
'tis not to be imagined, the Dogs can follow them down every place of
the Mountains. Stand some on the tops of the Rocks, and as occasion
offers throw down Stones; and place your Relays at the small Brooks or
Waters, where the _Goat_ comes down; but let them not tarry, till the
_Hounds_ come in, that were cast off.
_Thus much for Hunting._
_Of RIDING._
Here we must first examine the Ends and Design of our proposing this Art
to our selves, and accordingly lay down as briefly as may be the
necessary Rules and Lessons are to be observed and learnt; and I take
these to be the usual Perfections we aim at. _To ride well the great_
Horse, _for the Wars or Service, and the_ Horse _for Pleasure_; of both
which as concisely as I can, in their order.
We must begin with _Taming a young Colt_. After you have kept him at
home some time, and made him so Familiar with you, as to suffer
_Combing_, _Currying_, _Handling_, and _Stroaking_ any part, 'tis high
time then to offer him the Saddle, which you must lay in the _Manger_
first, that by its smell, he may not be afraid of it, or the _Styrrups_
Noise. Then gently saddling him (after his dressing) take a sweet
_Watering Trench_, anointed with Honey and Salt, and place it in his
Mouth so, that it may hang directly over his _Tush_; then lead him
abroad in your hand, and Water him; and after he has stood an hour
rein'd take off his Bridle and Saddle, and let him feed till Evening;
then do as in the Morning; dress and Cloath him, having _Cherisht_, by
the Voice delivered smoothly and gently; or by the Hand by gently
stroaking and clapping him on the neck, or Buttock; or lastly by the
_Rod_, by rubbing it on his Withers or Main.
On the next day as before; and after that, put him on a strong
_Musrole_, or sharp _Cavezan_, and _Martingale_; which is the best guide
to a Horse for setting his head in due place, forming the Rein, and
appearing Graceful and Comely; it Corrects the yerking out his Head, or
Nose, and prevents his running away with his Rider. Observe therefore to
place it right, that it be not buckled straight, but loose, and so low,
that it rest on the tender Grizsle of his Nose, to make him the more
sensible of his fault, and Correction; and so as you see you win his
Head, bring him straighter by degrees; let him but gently feel it, till
his Head be brought to its true perfection.
Having observed this well, lead him forth into some soft or new Plowed
Land, trot him about in your hand a good while: Then offer to Mount; if
he refuse to suffer you, trot him again; then putting your foot into the
_Styrrop_, mount half way; if he takes it impatient, correct him, and
about again; if not, cherish him, and place your self a moment in the
Saddle, dismount, cherish, and feed him with _Grass_, or _Bread_: All
things being well, remount, even in the Saddle, keeping your Rod from
his Eye; then let one lead him by the _Chaff-Halter_, and ever and a-non
make him stand, and cherish him, till he will of his own accord go
forward; then come home, alight gently, _dress and feed him well_. This
Course in few dayes will bring him to Trot, by following some other
Horse-man, stop him now and then gently, and forward; not forgetting
seasonable _Cherishings_ and _Corrections_, by Voice, _Bridle_, _Rod_,
_Spurs_.
Being thus brought to some certainty of _Rein_, and _Trotting_
forth-right, then to the treading _forth of the large Rings_. And here
first examine your Horses Nature, before you choose your Ground, for, if
his Nature be dull and sloathful, yet strong, then _New-Plow'd-Field_ is
best; if _Active_, _Quick_ and _Fiery_, then _Sandy-ground_ is to be
preferred; in the most proper of which mark out a large Ring, of a
Hundred paces circumference. Walk about it on the right seven or eight
times, then by a little straightning your right Rein, and laying your
left leg calf to his side, make a half Circle within the Ring upon your
right down to its Center; then by straightning a little your left Rein,
and laying your right Leg Calf to his side, make a half Circle to your
left hand, from the Center to the outmost Verge, and these you see
contrary turned make a Roman _S_. Now to your first large Compass, walk
him about on your left hand, as oft as before on the right, and change
to your right within your Ring; then Trot him first on the right-hand,
then on the left, as long as you judge fit, and as often Mornings and
Evenings, as the Nature of your Horse shall require. In the same manner
you may make him to _Gallop_ the same Rings, though you must not enter
it all at once, but by degrees, first a Quarter, then a Half-quarter;
and the Lightness and Cheerfulness of your Body, not the Spur, must
induce him to it.
The next Lesson is to _Stop Fair_, _Comely_, and without Danger. First
see that the Ground be hard and firm, then having cherisht your Horse,
bring him to a swift Trot, about Fifty Paces, and then straightly &
suddenly draw in your Bridle hand; then ease a little your hand to make
him give backward, and in so doing, give him liberty and cherish him;
then drawing in your Bridle hand, make him retire, and go back; if he
strike, ease your hand: if he refuse, let some by-stander put him back,
that he may learn your intention and thus he may learn these two Lessons
at once.
_To Advance before_, when he stoppeth, is thus taught: When you stop
your Horse, without easing your hand, lay close and hard to his sides
both Calves of your Legs, and shaking your Rod cry, _Up_, _Up_; which he
will understand by frequent Repetition, and Practice: This is a
Gracefull, and Comely Motion, makes a Horse Agile, and Nimble, and ready
to turn; and therefore be careful in it: That he take up his Legs Even
together, and bending to his Body; not too high, for fear of his coming
over; not sprawling, or pawing; or for his own pleasure; in these faults
correct him with Spur and Rod.
To _Yerk out behind_ is the next Lesson, thus learnt, Presently upon
your making him stop give him a good brisk jerk near his Flank, which
will make him soon understand you. When he does it, cherish him; and see
he does it comely, for to yerk out his hinder Legs, till his Forelegs be
above Ground, is not graceful; or one Leg yerk't farther out than the
other; or one Leg out while the other is on the Ground; in this case a
single Spur on the faulty side, is best. But to help him in Yerking,
staying his Mouth on the Bridle, striking your Rod under his Belly, or
Touching him on the Rump with it.
To _Turn readily on both hands_, thus: Bring his large Rings narrower,
and therein gently walk him, till acquainted. Then carry your
Bridle-hand steady and straight, the outmost rather straighter than the
inmost Rein, to look from, rather than to the Ring; trot him thus about,
on one side and the other successively, as aforesaid. After some time
stop, and make him advance twice or more, and retire in an even Line;
then stop and cherish him. To it again, after the same manner, making
him lap his outmost Leg above a foot over his Inner. And thus the _Terra
a Terra_, _Incavalere & Chambletta_, are all taught together. Perfect
your Horse in the large Ring, and the straight Ring is easily learnt.
Your Horse being brought thus far to perfection, with the _Musrole_ and
_Trench_, now let a gentle _Cavezan_ take their place; with a smooth
Cannon-Bit in his Mouth, and a plain watering Chain, Cheek large, and
the Kirble thick, round and big, loosely hanging on his nether Lip; and
thus mount him, and perfect your Horse with the _Bit_ in all the
aforesaid Lessons, as you did with the _Snaffle_; which indeed is the
easier to be done of the two.
To teach your Horse _To go a side_, as a necessary Motion for shunning a
blow from an Enemy, is thus: Draw up your Bridle hand somewhat straight,
and if you would have him go on the Right, lay your left Rein close to
his Neck, and your left Calf likewise close to his side (as in the
_Incavalere_ before) making him lap his left Leg over his Right; then
turning your Rod backward jerking him on the left hinder Thigh gently,
make him to bring to the right side his Hinder parts, and stand as at
first in an even direct Line: Then make him remove his Fore parts more,
that he may stand as it were Cross over the even Line, and then bring
his hinder parts after, and stand in an even Line, again. And thus you
must do, if you would have him go on the Left hand, using your
Corrections and Cherishings on the right. Use it, and you may be sure of
Perfection.
For the _Carreere_, only take this: Let it not extend in length above
six score yards, give your Horse warning before you start him by the
Bridle hand, and running full speed, stop him suddenly, firm and close
on his Buttock.
For the _Horse of Pleasure_, these following Lessons are to be learnt.
As first to _Bound aloft_, to do which: Trot him some sixteen yards,
then stop, and make him twice advance; then straighten your Bridle-hand;
then clap briskly both your Spurs even together to him, and he will
rise, tho' it may at first amaze him; if he does it, cherish him, and
repeat it often every day, till perfect.
Next to _Corvet_ and _Capriole_ are Motions of the same nature, and in
short are thus taught. Hollow the ground between two joyning Walls a
Horses length, by the side of which put a strong smooth Post of the same
length from the Wall, and fasten at the Wall an Iron Ring over against
the Post: Thus done, ride into the hollow place, and fasten one of the
_Cavezan_ Reins to the Post, and the other to the Ring; then cherish
him, and by the help of the Calves of your Legs, make him advance two or
three times; then pause, and Cherish him; make him advance again a dozen
times more, and then rest; double your Advancings, and repeat them till
it becomes habitual to him, to keep his Ground certain, advance of an
_equal hight_ before and behind, and observe a _due Time_ with the
motions of your Legs. The Inequality of his advancing his hinder Legs,
is helpt by a Jerk on the Fillets by some body behind him with a Rod.
_Of RACING._
A Racer must have the _Finest Cleanest Shape_ possible, and above all,
_Nimble_, _Quick_, and _Fiery_, _apt to Fly with the least Motion_; nor
is a long Bodied contemptible, it assuring _Speed_, tho' it signifies
_Weakness_ too. The _Arabian_, _Barbary_, or his Bastard, are esteemed
the best for this Use, these excelling _Fennets_, tho' they are good
too.
Having furnished your self with a Horse thus qualified, you are to
observe his right and due _Ordering_, before your designed _Racing_.
_Bartholomew-tide_ is the most proper time to _take him from Grass_; the
day before being Dry, Fair, and Pleasant: That Night let him stand
conveniently, to empty his Body; the next day _Stable_ him, and feed him
with _Wheat-straw_ that day, and no longer; lest you exceeding that
time, it straighten his _Guts_, heat his _Liver_, and hurt his _Blood_;
for want of _Straw_, Riding him Morning and Evening to Water, Airing, or
other moderate Exercises will serve. Then feed him with good old sweet
_Hay_, and according to the Season, and Temperature of his Body clothe
him; for a _Smooth Coat_ shews _Cloth_ enough, and a _Rough Coat_ want
of it. Observe likewise where you _Water_, your _Race-Horse_, that it be
a Running _Water_, or clear _Spring_, far distant (a Mile or more) from
the _Stable_, adjoyning to some _Level_; where after he has once well
drank Gallop him, and so Water and Scope him till that he refuse to
drink more, for that time; then Walk him gently Home (being an Hour on
your way, or more) clothe, and stop him round with soft _Whisps_, and
let him stand an Hour upon his _Bridle_, and after feed him with sweet
sound _Oats_, throughly dryed either with _Age_, _Kilne_, or _Sun_; if
he be low of flesh, or bad Stomacht, add a third part of clean Old
_Beans_, or two parts of _Oats_, or Wash his _Oats_ in strong _Beer_ or
_Ale_.
For _Dressing_ take these Rules. _Dress_ your Horse twice a day, before
you Water him, both Morning, and Evening, thus: _Curry_ him after he is
uncloath'd, from his _Ear-tips_ to his _Tayle_, and his whole Body
intirely (save his Legs under the Knees, and Cambrels) with an
_Iron-Comb_; then Dust him, and Rub him with a Brush of _Bristles_ over
again; Dust him again, and wetting your hand in clean Water, rub off all
the loose Hairs, and so rub him dry as at first; then with a fine _Hair
Cloth_ rub him all over; and lastly, with a fine Linnen Cloth; and then
pick his Eyes, Nostrils, Sheath, Cods, Tuel, and Feet clean.
The best Food for your _Racer_, is good, sweet, well dryed, sunned, and
beaten _Oats_: Or else Bread made of one part Beans, and two parts
_Wheat_ (_i.e._) two Bushels _Wheat_, to one of _Beans_, ground
together: Boult through a fine Range half a Bushel of fine _Meal_, and
bake that into two or three Loaves by it self, and with water and good
store of _Barm_, knead up, and bake the rest in great Loaves, having
sifted it through a _Meal-sieve_: (But to your finer, you would do well
to put the whites of Twenty or thirty _Eggs_, and with the _Barm_ a
little _Ale_, 'tis no matter how little water:) With the Courser feed
him on his Resting days, on his Labouring days with the finer.
The best time for feeding your _Runner_ on his Resting days is, after
his Watering in the Morning, at One a Clock at Noon, after his watering
in the Evening, and at nine or ten a Clock at nights: On his Days of
Labour, two Hours after he is throughly Cold outwardly and inwardly, as
before.
As for the Proportion of Meat, I shall not confine your Love to a
Quantity, only give him a little at once, as long as his Appetite is
Good: When he begins to fumble and play with his Meat, hold your hand,
shut up your Sack.
As for his _Exercise_ it ought to be thrice a Week, as his bodily
Condition requires; if he be foul, moderate Exercise will break his
Grease; if clean, then as you judge best, taking heed of breaking his
Mettle, or discouraging him, or laming his Limbs. Before you air him, to
add to his Wind, it is requisite to give him a raw Egg broken in his
Mouth: if your Horse be very fat, air him before Sun rising and after
Sun-set; if lean, deprive him not of the least strength and Comfort of
the Sun you can devise. To make him Sweat sometimes by coursing him in
his Cloaths is necessary, if moderate; but without his Cloaths, let it
be sharp and swift. See that he be empty before you course him; and it
is wholesome to wash his Tongue and Nostrils with _Vinegar_; or _piss_
in his Mouth, before you back him. And after his Exercise, cool him
before you come home, house, litter and rub him well and dry; then
cloath him, and give him after every Course a Scouring thus prepared.
_For scouring a Race-Horse._
Take 20 _Raisins_ of the _Sun_ stoned, 10 _Figs_ slit in the midst, boyl
them till they be thick in a Pottle of fair Water, mix it with Powder of
_Annis-seeds_, _Lycoras_, and _Sugar-candy_, till it come to a stiff
Paste, make them into round Balls, roul them in Butter, and give him
three or four of them the next morning after his Course, and ride him an
hour after, and then set him up Warm. Or this may be preferred, being
both a Purge and a Restorative, a Cleanser and a Comforter, thus
prepared.
Take three Ounces of _Annis-seeds_, six Drams of _Cummin-seeds_,
one Dram and half of _Carthamus_, one Ounce and two Drams of
_Fennugreek-seed_, one Ounce and half of _Brimstone_; Beat all these to
a fine Powder, and searse them; then take a Pint and two Ounces of
_Sallet-Oyl_, a Pint and half of _Honey_, and a Pottle of _White-Wine_;
then with a sufficient Quantity of fine white Meal, knead and work all
well into a stiff Paste; keep it in a clean Cloath, for use. When
occasion requires, dissolve a Ball of it in a Pail of Water, and after
Exercise give it him to drink in the Dark, that he may not see the
Colour, and refuse it: If he does refuse, let Fasting force him to be of
another mind.
To conclude, these Instructions, I will give you 'em in short before you
run, and then away as fast as you can.
_Course not your Horse hard four or five days before your Match, lest
you make his Limbs sore, and abate his Speed._
_Muzzle him not (except a foul Feeder) above two or three Nights before
the Race, and the Night before his bloody Courses._
_Give him sharp, as well at gentle, Courses on the Race he is to run._
_Shoe him a day before you run him._
_Let him be empty on the Match Day._
_Saddle him in the Stable, and fix to him the Girths and Pannel with
Shoe-makers Wax._
_Lead him with all Gentleness to his Course, and let him smell other
Horses Dung to provoke him to stale_, &c.
And Lastly, being come to the starting place, rub him well, uncloath
him; then take his Back, and the Word given, with all Gentleness and
Quietness possible, start and away; _And God speed you well_.
School _of_ Recreation. _How to make Artificial Fire-works of all sorts,
for Pleasure_, &c.
Of Artificial Fire-works for Recreation, there are three general sorts,
_viz._ Those that ascend or mount in the Air. Those that consume on the
Earth: And such as burn on the Water. And these are again divided into
three Particulars, _viz._ For the Air, the Sky-Rocket, the flying
Saucisson, and Balloon: For the Earth, the Ground-Rocket, the fiery
Lances, and the Saucissons descendent. For the Water-Globes or Balls,
double Rockets, and single Rockets; and of these in their particular
Orders, to make them, and such other Matters as may occur relating to
Fire-works.
But before I enter particularly on them, it will not be amiss to give
the Unlearned Instructions for making his Moulds for Rockets, _&c._
This Mould must be of a substantial piece of Wood, well season'd, and
not subject to split or warp; and first the Caliber or Bore of it, being
an Inch in Diameter; the Mould must be six Inches long, and Breech an
Inch and half; the Broach that enters into the Choaking part, three
Inches and a half long, and in Thickness a quarter of an Inch. The
Rowler on which you wrap the Paper or Paste board, being three quarters
of an Inch Diameter, and the Rammer somewhat less, that it may easily
pass and re-pass, made hollow to receive the Broach; for the Cartoush
Coffin must be filled with the Materials, the Broach being in.
If the Bore be two Inches Diameter, the Rocket must be twelve Inches in
Length: If an inch and a half in Bore, then nine Inches Long, and so
proportionably to any other Diameter. The Cartoush or Case must be
either strong Paper or fine Paste-board, choaked within an Inch and a
quarter of the Top, rowled on the Rowler with a thin Paste, to keep the
Doublings the higher together, that it may have the greater force and
higher flight. Having thus far considered your Mould and Cartoush or
Case, I proceed to the Composition and filling part, &c.
_A_ Sky-Rocket, _how to make it_, &c.
In the Composition of your filling Materials be very cautious that you
exceed not the just Proportion, for which I shall give Directions to be
a Standard in this case, _viz._ Having beat a Pound of Powder very fine,
and sifted it through a Lawn Sieve that no whole Corns remain in it; do
the like by two Ounces of Charcole; then sift them together, so that
they may mix well, which done, fill a small Rocket with this Mixture,
and if it break in Mounting before it come to the supposed height, or
burns out too fierce, then is there too much Powder, and more fine
sifted Charcole must be added; but if there be too much Charcole in the
Composition, then upon tryal it will not ascend, or very little.
Observe in charging your Rocket, at every quarter of an ounce of
Ingredients or thereabouts, you ram it down very hard, forcing your
Rammer with a wooden Mallet, or some weighty piece of Wood, but no Iron
or Stone, for fear any Sparkles of Fire fly out and take your
Combustible Matter; so fill it by degrees: If you design neither to
place Stars, Quills, or small Rockets on its Head, you may put in about
an Inch and a half of dry Powder for the Bounce, but if you are to place
the fore-mention'd things on the Head of a great Rocket, you must close
down the Paper or Paste-board very hard, and prick two or three holes
with a Bodkin, that it may give fire to them when it Expires, placing a
large Cartoush or Paste-board on the head of the Rocket, into which you
must put the Stars or small Rockets, Paper-Serpents, or Quill-Serpents;
of which I shall speak more hereafter.
Note further, That if you would have your Rocket sparkle much, you must
put some grosly bruised Salt peter into the Composition; but then it
must not lie long before it be let off, for fear it give and damp the
Powder. If you would have it leave a blue Stream, as it ascends, put
fine beaten and sifted Sulphur into it, but of neither of these more
than a third part of Charcole; and in this manner greater and lesser
Rockets are made, but the lesser must have more Powder and less Charcole
than the greater, by a fifth part in six.
_Golden Rain, and Golden Hair._
For Golden Rain, or streams of fire, that will, when at height, descend
in the Air like Rain: Take large Goose-Quills, take only the hollow
Quill as long as may be, fill it with beaten Powder and Charcole; as for
the Air Rocket only add a little Powder of Sulphur. Being hard filled to
a quarter of an Inch, stop that with wet Powder, called Wild-fire; place
as many as you think convenient on the Head of a great Rocket, pasted on
in a Rowl of Paper, so that it may not fall off till the Rocket bursts,
there being a little dry Powder in it to force the end when the stream
of fire ceases, at which time they taking, will appear like a shower of
Fire of a golden Colour, spreading themselves in the Air, and then
tending directly downwards. This is to be considered when you stand
directly, or something near under them; but if you are at some distance,
then they will appear to you like the Blazing Tail of a Comet or Golden
Hair.
_Silver Stars, How to make them._
To make Stars that will expand in Flame, and appear like natural Stars
in the Firmament for a time: Take half a Pound of Salt-peter, the like
quantity of Brimstone, finely beaten together, sifted and mingled with
a quarter of a Pound of Gunpowder so ordered: Then wrap up the
Composition in Linnen Rags or fine Paper, to the quantity of a Walnut,
bind them with small Thread, and prick holes in the Rag or Paper with a
Bodkin, and place six or ten of them on the Head of a great Rocket, as
you did the Quills, and when the Rocket expires, they take fire and
spread into a Flame, hovering in the Air like Stars, and descend
leisurely till the matter is spent that gives them light.
_Red fiery Colour'd Stars, How to make them._
Take in this Case half a Pound of Powder, and double the quantity of
Salt-peter; as much fine flower of Brimstone as Powder, wet them with
fair Water and Oyl of Petrolum till they will stick together like
Pellets; then make them up somewhat less than the former, and rowl them
in sifted dry Powder, then let them harden, by drying in the Sun or Air,
and place them on a great Rocket, as you did the other Stars, and you
will perceive them when the Rocket is at the height, fall, like Bodies
or Globes of Fire, in the manner as if real Stars were shooting or
falling from the Sky, for by reason of their wetness or density they
cannot expand into Flame, which occasions them by the pressure of their
weight to descend with greater Impetuosity till they waste and vanish
into Air, _&c._
_Another sort of Stars that give great Reports in the Air, as if Armies
were fighting._