The School of Recreation | Page 2

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