Part 1
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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._
_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._