Chapter 3

If a _Hawk take a Tree_, and will not fly at all, feed her then upon quick Birds, and make her foot them, and in the plain Champaign Feilds unhood her, and riding up and down a while let one cast out a Feild-_Partridge_ before her, let her fly at it, and footing it feed on it. If they be _too fond of Man_, that after a stroke or two will not fly, be seldom familiar with her, and reward her not as she comes so improperly: Otherwise reward her well.

As for _Mewing of Hawks_, the best time for _Long-winged Hawks_ is about the middle of _April_, and _March_ for the _Short-Winged Hawks_. There are two kinds of Mewings. 1. _At the stock or stone_; so called from its being low upon the ground, free from Noise, Vermin or ill Air. 2. _At large_; so called from being in a high Room, with open Windows towards the _North_ or _North-East_. The former is accounted the best Mewing. I shall not insist on the erecting or ordering of this Mew, leaving that to the Discretion of the Faulconer; only before he mews his _Hawk_, see if they have _Lice_, to pepper and scowre them too. The best _time to draw _the Field_-Hawk from the Mew_, is in _June_, and she will be ready to fly in _August_; the Hawks for the River in _August_, will be ready in _September_. And because _Hawks_ are subject to divers Infirmities and Diseases, I shall prescribe some Remedies, and so Conclude.

_Cures for Hawks Diseases._

The good Faulconer ought diligently to observe the Complexions of his _Hawks Castings_ and _Mewtings_, to judge of their Maladies, and is prescribed by some as an excellent way; and is indeed so; but an assured sign of knowing whether they are sick or distempered is this. Take your _Hawk_, turning up her Train, if you see her Tuel or Fundiment swelleth, or looketh red; Or, if her Eyes or Eares be of a fiery Complexion, it is an infallible sign of her being not well and in good health; and then Scouring is necessary first; which is done by the most Soveraign _Aloes Cicatrine_, about the quantity of a Bean, wrapt up in her Meat; and this avoids Grease, and kills Wormes too.

_For the Cataract_: Take one Scruple of washt _Aloes_ finely beaten, and two Scruples of _Sugar-candy_, mix these together, and with a Quil blow it three or four times a day into your _Hawks_ Eye.

_Pantus_ or _Asthma_: Pour the Oyl of sweet _Almonds_ into a Chickens Gutt, well washt, and give it the _Hawk_: Or, scower her with _Sellandine_-Pellets, and Oyle of _Roses_, and then wash her meat in the Decoction of _Coltsfoot_.

_Filanders_ or _Wormes_: To prevent them, seeing your Hawk low and poor, give her once a month a Clove of _Garlick_. To cure or kill them; take half a dozen Cloves of _Garlick_, boyle them very tender in _Milk_, then take them and dry the Milk out of them; put them into a spoonful of the best _Oyle of Olives_, and having steept them all Night, give them both to your Hawk, when she has cast, in the morning; feed her not til two hours after, and then with warm Meat, and keep her warm all that day.

_Lice_: Mail your Hawk in some Woollen Cloath, put between her Head and Hood a little Wool, and take a Pipe of _Tobacco_, put the little end in at the Tream, blow the smoak, and the Lice that escape Killing, will creep into the Cloth: _Probatum_.

_Formica_: Take a little of the Gall of a _Bull_, and beating it with _Aloes_, anoint the Beak of the Hawk, Morning and Evening.

_Frounce_: Take the Powder of _Allume_, reduced to a Salve with strong Wine Vinegar, and wash her mouth with it; then take the Juice of _Lollium_ and _Raddish_, mixt with Salt, and anoint the Sore.

_Apoplex_: Gather the Herb _Asterion_ (the Moon being in the Waine and in the Sign _Virgo_) wash your Hawks meat with the Juice thereof when you feed her, is Soveraign.

_Wounds_: Take the Juice of _English Tobacco_, or _Mouse-eare_, after you have sticht it up, with a little Lint, bathe the place is highly approved.

Many other Diseases there are, which others have largely treatad of, and to whom I refer you in case of some Diseases, which may occur; and here take leave to conclude this my discourse of Hawking:

Of Riding,

This Noble Art being rightly and throughly learnt, qualifies a Gentleman for the three preceding Sports, and is for that Reason placed here, as a necessary Attendant of them. And here we must first examine the Ends & Design of our proposing this Art to our selves, & accordingly lay down as briefly as may be the necessary Rules and Lessons are to be observed and learnt, for the obtaining and prosecuting the same, and I take these to be the usual Perfections we aime at, _To Ride well the great _Horse_, for the Warrs or Service, and the _Horse_ for Pleasure_; of both which as concisely as I can, in their Order.

As a _Preface_ to this, we must begin with _Taming a young Colt_. After you have kept your Colt 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 _Watring 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 thus, take off his Bridle and Saddle, and let him feed till Evening; Then do as in the morning; then dress and Cloath him, having _Cherisht_ him before, _i. e._ 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 Gracefull 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 Grissle 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, and to take off his wanton knavish Tricks, 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 one accord go forward; then come home, alight gently, and do a good Horsemans Duty, _To dress and feed him well_. This Course in few dayes will bring him to Trot, by following some other Horseman, 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 _Reine_, 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. Now then 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 and 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 the 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 carefull 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 further 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, are reckoned necessary.

To _Turn readily on both hands_, thus: Bring his large Rings narrower, & therein gently walk him, till acquainted. Then carry your Bridle-hand steady and straight, the outmost rather straighter then 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, & 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 'foresaid Lessons, as you did with the _Snaffle_; which indeed is the easier to be done of the two.

To teach your Horse _To go aside_, 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 & Cherishings on the right. Use it, and you may be sure of Perfection.

As for the _Manages_, somewhat have bin spoken of them, there being but two (among many) useful call'd _Terra a Terra & Incavalere_ before treated of; & 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, firme 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, though 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 _equall height_ before and behind, and observe a _due Time_ with the motions of your Leggs. The Inequality of his advancing his hinder Legs, is helpt by a Jerk on the Fillets by some body behind him with a Rod.

The laborious Motion of _going sideways_, being fitter for the War-Horse, than the Horse for Pleasure, usefull for the avoiding a Blow may come from an Enemy, I omit here, refering you to that.

Thus much for those material Lessons which the Rider ought to teach his Horse for _War_ or _Pleasure_, and therefore I shall conclude this Head, with this _Caveat_, _That in whatever Lesson your Horse is most imperfect, begin and end with_; and remember, that _Exercise_ makes things as it were natural; when _Desuetude_ is the forerunner of Forgetfulness, and _Ignorance_ the Consequent of Both.

OF

Cock-fighting

I shall not enlarge on the praises of this Recreation, its _Nobleness_, _Delight_, and _Simplicity_, devoyd of Cheat or Deceit, but what is most material to our purpose succinctly declare. And herein let us first observe the _Choice_ of a _Cock_ of the Game, directed by these four Characters following: That he be

1. Of a strong _Shape_, proud and upright, and for this the _Middle-sized_, neither too small or too large, is best, because most matchable, strong and nimble. His _Head_ small like a _Spar-Hawks_; his _Eye_ large and quick; _Back_ strong, crook't at the setting on, and coloured as the Plume of his Feathers; The _Beam of his Leg_ very strong, and colour'd as his Plume; _Spurs_ long, rough, and sharp, hooking inward.

2. Of a good _Colour_, and herein the Gray, Yellow, or Red Pyle, with a black Breast, are to be preferred; the Pyde rarely good, and the White and Dun never. A Scarlet Head is a demonstration of Courage, but a Pale and wan of Faintness.

3. Of _Courage_ true, which you shall observe by his proud, stately, upright Standing and Walking, and his frequent Crowing in his Pen.

4. Of a _Sharp and ready Heel_, which is (in the Opinion of the best _Cock-Masters_,) of high Estimation; a _Sharp-heel'd Cock, tho somewhat false, is better_ (as dispatching his business soonest) _than a true Cock with a dull Heel_. Enfine choose your _Cock_ endued with all these Qualifications together above mentioned.

For _Breeding_ good Cocks for the Game, or Battel, the best season is from the Moon's Encrease in _February_, to her Encrease in _March_. The _March_ Bird is best. And now first get a _perfect Cock, to a perfect Hen_, as the best Breeding, and see the Hen be of an excellent Complexion (_i. e._) rightly plumed, as black, brown, speckt, grey, grissel, or yellowish; tufted on her Crowne, large bodied, well poked, and having Weapons, are Demonstrations of Excellency and Courage. Observe further her Comportment, if friendly to her Chickens, and revengeful of Injuries from other Hens. _Fortes creantur a Fortibus._

Having placed her _Nest_, private from other Fowles disturbance, and warme, observe your Hen in sitting, if she be busie in turning her Eggs; if remiss, to help her. Set by her Sand, Gravel, Water and necessary food, to prevent her Straggling.

After one and twenty dayes observe her _Hatching_, to take the newly hatcht Chickens, and wrap them in Wool and keep them warm by the fire till all be disclosed; then put them all under her, and let her keep them warm, and let none of them straggle abroad till they are three Weeks, or a Month old; and then let them run in some Grass-plat, or green Court, to pick Wormes, Grass and Chick-weed, to feed and scour themselves; but let them not ramble near Puddles, or filthy Channels; and to prevent any malady, a few Leek-blades minc'd small amongst their Meat is good.

When they are grown so, as that their Sexes may be distinguish't, assoon as the _Comb_ or _Wattles_ but appear, cut them away, and anoint the Sore with sweet _Butter_, till whole. This early cutting them, is highly necessary to prevent Flux of Blood, (which is dangerous in doing it later) and Gouty thick Heads.

When the _Cock_, and _Hen-Chickens_, (going till now promiscuously one with another) begin to quarrel and peck each other, part them and separate their _Walks_: And the best for a _Fighting-Cock_, are private and undisturbed _Walks_, as, _Wind-mills_, _Water-mills_, _Grange-houses_, _Park-lodges_, &c. and their _Feeding-place_ on soft Ground, or Boards; and have for his Meat, _White Corn_, or _White-bread Tosts_, steept in _Drink_, or _Urine_, is good, both to Scowre, and Cool them. And do not debilitate and debauch his Courage and Strength, by having too many _Hens_ to walk with; Three _Hens_ are enough for one _Cock_.

If before they be Six Months Old any of your _Chickens_ _Crow_ clear and loud, and unseasonable, then to the _Pot_ or _Spit_ with them, they are _Cowards_; the true _Cock_ is long ere he gets his Voice, and when he has gotten it, keeps good and judicious _Time_ in Crowing.

Next observe your _Roosting-Perch_, for this makes or marrs a _Cock_; for forming of which, consult the best _Cock-Masters_ Feeding-Pens, and the Perches there, and accordingly proportion your own, therefore I shall not propose any form here; Only pray take care that the ground underneath the Perch be soft, for if the ground be rough and hard, in leaping down he will hurt his _Feet_, and make them Gouty and Knotty.

For the _Dieting_, and _Ordering_ of your _Cock_ for _Battle_, observe these Rules. Let your _Cock_ be full two years Old, then in the latter end of _August_, take up and _Pen_ him, (it being now _Cocking-time_ till the end of _May_) and see that he be sound, hard-feather'd, and full summed. As to the moving _Perch_, and _Pen_, take my foregoing Advice.

The first four dayes after _Penning_; Feed him with the Crumb of Old _Manchet_ cut into square bits, thrice a day, and with the Coldest, and Sweetest Spring-water that can be had. And after you think by this time he is throughly purged of his _Corne_, _Wormes_, _Gravel_, and other course Feeding, take him in the Morning out of the _Pen_, and let him _Sparr_ with another _Cock_ some time to heat and chafe their Bodies, break Fat and Glut, and fit them for Purgation; first having covered their Spurs with Hots of Leather, to hinder their Wounding and drawing Blood of one another.

After they have sufficiently _Sparred_, that they pant again, take them up, and remove their Hots, and prepare them for a Diaphoretick or Sweating Bout thus: Take _Butter_, and _Rosemary_ finely chopt, and _White-Sugar-candy_, mixt together; and give them the quantity of a _Wallnut_; which will scower, strengthen, and prolong Breath: Then having (purposely) deep _Straw Baskets_, fill them half way with _Straw_, put in your _Cock_, and cover him with _Straw_ to the top; lay the lid close, and let him stove till the Evening. At Five a Clock take him out, and lick his Head and Eyes with your Tongue, then Pen him, and fill his _Trough_ with _Manchet_ (as above) and hot _Urine_.

After this, let his _Diet_ be of _Bread_ thus made: Take a _Gallon_ of _Wheat_, and _Oat-meal-flower_, and with _Ale_, half a score _Whites_ of _Eggs_, and _Butter_, work it into a stiff _Paste_; bake it into broad _Cakes_, and when four dayes Old, cut it into square Bits, as abovesaid.

The second day after _Sparring_, bring your _Cock_ into a _Green Close_, and shew him in your Arms a _Dung-hill-Cock_, then run from him, and allure him thus to follow, suffering him now and then to strike the _Dunghill-Cock_, and so Chase him up and down for half an Hour, till he pants again; and thus heated, carry him home, and scower him with half a Pound of _Fresh-Butter_, beaten with the _Leaves_ of the _Herb_ of _Grace_, _Hysop_, and _Rosemary_, to the consistence of a _Salve_, and give him the quantity of a _VVallnut_, then _Stove_, and _Feed_ him as above. And thus for the first _Fortnight_, _Spar_ or _Chase_ him every other day.

The second _Fortnight_, twice a Week will be enough to _Chase_ or _Spar_ your _Cock_: Observing, that you _Stove_ and _Scower_ him, proportionable to his Heating.

The Third and Last _Fortnight_ (for Six Weeks is long enough) _Feed_ him as before, but do not _Spar_ him, but Chase him moderately twice, or thrice, as before; then roll his aforesaid scowring in _Brown-Sugar-candy_, to prevent his being Sick; rest him four dayes, and then to the Pit.

Now, Gentlemen, _Match_ your Cock Carefully, or what you have hitherto done, is nothing. And here Observe the _Length_, and _Strength_ of Cocks. The _Length_ is thus known: Gripe the Cock by the Waste, and make him shoot out his Legs, and in this Posture compare, _And have your Judgment about you._ The _Strength_ is known by this Maxime, _The largest in the Garth, is the strongest Cock._ The Dimension of the _Garth_, is thus known: Gripe the Cock about from the joynts of your Thumb, to the points of your Great _Finger_, and you will find the Disadvantage. _The weak long _Cock_ is the quickest easier Riser, and the short strong one, the surest Striker._

Thus being well Matcht, accoutre him for the Pit. Clip his _Main_ off close to his Neck, from his head to his shoulders. Clip his _Tail_ close to his _Rump_, the Redder it appears the better. His _Wings_ sloping, with sharp Points [ware Eye Adversary:] Scrape smooth, and sharpen his _Spurs_; leave no feathers on his Crown; then moisten his head with Spittle; and now favour us Fortune.