The School of Recreation | Page 6

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