The Complete Sportsman; A Compendious View of the Ancient and Modern Chase With Every Instruction and Information Relative to the Diversions of the Field - Softcover
Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1817. Excerpt: ... ppressive severity of the forest laws was not sufficient to restrain the yeomanry from a diversion to which they were so passionately attached. Many of them, taking advantage of that relaxed state which the feudal system naturally produced, retired into the recesses of the large forests, which, at this period, covered a considerable part of the kingdom, and, forming themselves into a sort of banditti, pursued their favourite sport almost without restraint. Hence the tradition of Robin Hood and Little John; whose deeds are related in numberless old songs, which still continue great favourites with the vulgar. The dogs most in esteeni among our ancestors appear to have been the original race of greyhounds; a nobleman never travelled without these dogs, as well as a hawk upon his fist; and payments were frequently made in these animals. However, in the sixteenth century, the deepmouthed southern hound became the favorite, of which wc shall have occasion to speak under its proper head. In this country hunting is confined to the stag, the fox, the hare, and the otter. His majesty George III. when in health, delighted much in hunting the stag; but before we enter more minutely into the subject of modern hunting, it will perhaps be advisable just to sketch the natural fcistory rf THE DOG, Which I shall transcribe from Dr, Goldsmith:--Independent of his beauty, vivaoity, force, and swiftness, lie possesses all those internal qualifications that can conciliate the affections of his master, and induce the tyrant to become a protector. A natural share of courage, ail angry and ferocious disposition, render this animal, in its savage state, a formidable enemy to the different tenants of the forest: these qualities, however, give way to others of a very different desc...
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