The Project Gutenberg EBook of The School of Recreation (1684 edition), by Robert Howlett This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: The School of Recreation (1684 edition) Or, The Gentlemans Tutor, to those Most Ingenious Exercises of Hunting, Racing, Hawking, Riding, Cock-fighting, Fowling, Fishing Author: Robert Howlett Release Date: December 9, 2007 [EBook #23776] Language: English Character set encoding: UTF-8 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SCHOOL OF RECREATION *** Produced by Louise Hope, Jonathan Ingram and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net [Transcriber’s Note: This text uses utf-8 (unicode) file encoding. If the apostrophes and quotation marks in this paragraph appear as garbage, make sure your text reader’s “character set” or “file encoding” is set to Unicode (UTF-8). You may also need to change the default font. As a last resort, use the latin-1 version of the file instead. Words shown in +marks+ were printed in blackletter (“gothic”) type. Spelling, punctuation and capitalization-- including the variation between W and VV-- are as in the original. Errors are listed at the end of the text. The chapter on “Ringing” almost certainly contains undetected typographical errors. Readers interested in solid information may prefer _Tintinnalogia_ (1671), Project Gutenberg e-text 18567.] [Illustration: The School of Recreation. Printed for Henry Rodes near Bride Lane in Fleet Street.] The SCHOOL of +RECREATION:+ Or, The Gentlemans TUTOR, To those Most Ingenious Exercises of Hunting. } { Fishing. Racing. } { Shooting. Hawking. } { Bowling. Riding. } { Tennis. Cock-Fighting. } { Ringing. Fowling. } { Billiards. By R. H. _London_, Printed for _H. Rodes_, next door to the _Bear-Tavern_ near _Bride-Lane_ in _Fleet-Street_, 1684. TO THE READER. _Man, the Abridgement of the Creation, or the _Compendium_ of all Gods Works, having divested himself by Sin of that Original Innocence and Angelical State of Life wherein his Creator had placed him, and thereby Subjected his collapsed Nature to the Malediction of God, _In the sweat of thy Face thou shalt eat thy Bread_, &c. It pleased however the Almighty to continue and confirm that Original grand _Charter_ he had at first granted him, of being _Lord of the Creatures_: Hereby intimating, That tho man is now _Born to Trouble, Labour _and Cares_, as the Sparks fly upward_; yet God has not deprived him of any Comfort or Felicity, which the Earth or Creatures of it can afford; but has invested him with a superior Authority and _Dominion over the Beast of the Feild, the Fowl of the Air, and the Fish of the Sea_. Thus it comes to pass, that every Creature payes a _Duty and a Subjection_, (as it were) to man, as to their _Master_; and notwithstanding the Ferocity and Salvageness of their Natures, become tame and submissive to the _Empire_ of Man. They court his Favour and mutely supplicate his Friendship and Confederacy, for the subduing the Enemies of their several _Species_: They readily obey his Precepts, and ravisht with his Service willingly execute his Commands. And thus by this prime Priviledg from God, Man is allowed the Liberty of subduing the Creature, and recreating his Mind by _Hunting, Fowling, Fishing_ and the like; and by observing the Natural _Instincts_ of every Species, the innate _Enmity and Cunning_ of every Creature, may glorify the Immense Wisdom of his Creator._ _And as the Liberty of Recreation in lawful Exercises is thus _Naturall_, so is it highly _Necessary_ and Useful too. Recreation keeps up the strength and Alacrity of the bodily Forces, without which the Soul cannot work: I mean those brisk and violent Exercises, which the Following sheets specifie. They cause the Body to _transpire_ plentiful sweats, and exhale those black and fuliginous Vapours which too much oppress some men, and remove the Obstructions which hinder the Circulation of Nature. _Brisk Exercises_ render a man Active, Vigorous, Strong, and Hardy, and attenuate and disperse that _Stagnation_ of humors, Benummedness and Dulness, which _Idleness_ contracts: Nay, (as one excellently observes) divers bodily Infirmities, Diseases and Undecencies are hereby regulated and amended: _Riding_ was used by the great _Drusus_ for the Strengthening his weak and small Thighs and Legs; and by his late _Majesty_, especially after Dinner; and is also good for the Head: _Shooting in a long Bow_ for the Breast and Arms; and helps Squinting: _Bowling_ for the Reins, Stone, Gravel, &c._ _Nor are the several other _Games_ commonly practised, less _Commendable_, were they used with a _modest_ and _prudent_ Care: I recomend them as useful as the other, were a _right use_ made of them. I would not have them made a _Trade_, instead of a _Divertisement_. But especially those that are managed by _Skill_, and not Fortune, may be Learned, for these acquaint a man with _Numbring_, and quicken the Fancy and Memory, and recreate the Mind._ _And as Recreation is thus natural and necessary, so is it _Commendable_ too, and recommended by the Practises of all Ages; as well sacred as prophane Histories plainly testifying the Truth of it. But I shall not trouble you any longer by detaining you at the Door, and enumerating the various _Examples_, which may Authorize a vertuous Use of Recreations, and apologize for this Work: The severest _Stoick_ being never so cruel to himself or Nature, as not to give his mind some _Relaxation_, and recreate it in some more pleasant Pathes, than the miry heavy wayes of his own sullen and wilful _Resolutions_. Nor do our _Modern Stoicks_, tho of the strictest Lives, deny themselves some _Mental_, if not bodily Recreations; altho perhaps _Infirmity_, _Age_, _Station_, _Degree_, may render their Divertisements the more _private_, yet not totally denyed. _Solomon_ had his _Ittan_ for Recreations, as _Josephus_ informes us, and the _Heathen_ Sages their _Olympiques_, wherein were exercised, _Wrestling_, _Running_ with _Horses_, _Leaping_, _Coursing_ with _Chariots_, _Contention of Poets_, _Rhetoricians_, _Disputations of Phylosophers_, &c._ _And because _Velle suum cuique_, every Mans Nature claimes a special Prerogative, in the electing a Recreation _Suitable_ to it self, one thing being very pleasing and delightful to one, and offensive and troublesome to another, I have therefore like the industrious _Bee_ gathered _Honey_ from various _Flowers_, and according to your _Palate_ taste and Eat; I have carefully _Delineated_ and drawn to the Life the divers _Figures_ of the several Recreations, and leave you to admire that _Peice_ you fancy best; intreating you to put them to the best _Use_, not to make them your Trade instead of _Recreation_; in which sence I would have you to accept this: And now you may walk in and view the Structure._ 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; and of which take this concise Definition, _viz._ That since Nature has equally imparted unto every Beast a wonderful Knowledge of _Offence_ and _Security_, herein we may observe, _The curious Search and Conquest of one Creature over another, hurried on by an innate natural Antipathy, and performed or wrought by a Distinction of Smells._ And now to come to the Purpose, and the Design of this Tract, briefly to inform 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 or 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 then; There are five _Beasts of Venery_ or _Forest_, viz. The _Hart_, _Hinde_, _Hare_, _Boar_, _Wolf_. As likewise five Wild Beasts, or _Beasts of Chace_, viz. The _Buck_, _Doe_, _Fox_, _Martern_, _Roe_. The _Beasts of Warren_, are three, _viz._ _Hares_, _Coneys_, _Roes_. _Note_, The _Hart_ and _Hinde_ 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_, _Chace_, and _Warren_; I shall therefore, in the next place, present him with these following _Beasts of Forrest_, &c. The _Hart_, the first Year is called a _Hinde-Calf_, 2 A _Knobber_, 3 A _Brock_, 4 A _Staggard_, 5 A _Stagg_, 6 A _Hart_. The _Hinde_, the first Year a _Calf_, 2 A _Hearse_, 3 A _Hinde_. The _Hare_, the first Year a _Leveret_, 2 A _Hare_, 3 A _Great Hare_. The _Wild-Boar_ and _Woolf_, being no _English_ Chace, I omit. _Beasts of Chace._ 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 _Martern_, the first Year a _Cub_, 2 A _Martern_. 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 _Hinde_, 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_, & _Seasons_ of the several Chaces 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_; the last being a _Welch_-Game: Many more there are which I might here enumerate, but being _Forreign_ Chaces, I omit, as directing my Discourse to the _English-Man_. As for the _Terms of Art_ appropriated to Hunting, as the Huntsmans _Dialect_, they are so many and various, that should I go about to note them here, it would swell my Treatise to too big a Volume; and therefore I refer you to the _Dictionaries_ which speak of them. 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 Chaces; and in this we must begin with the _Pursuers or Conquerors_ of these Chaces, 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_ & _Use_: As for instance, The _Western_ Counties 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 Chace. _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. All these Dogs are highly set by in all remote Parts, whose Princes and Lords tenderly cherish them as _Excellencies_, and ambitiously sue for as _Rarities_. 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 Chace, but especially the _Hare_, _Stag_, _Buck_, _Roe_, or _Otter_, not sticking at Woods or Waters. The next is, the _Black_, the black-tann’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. _Eares_ large 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 clawd 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 Tayl_, _long_ Joints, _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 to 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; and warble forth their musical Notes most sweetly. 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_; though they have not attained this through a better Breeding of their Horses than others, but by daily acquainting them with the Violence of such Exercises, which made it both familiar and natural to them. And _He that doth not train up his Horse so, puts a Cheat upon himself_. 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; which you may bring so to your Command, as to make them Hunt with no more speed than you please to lead them. And herein you are surrounded with a double Delight; to hear their _Musick_, and observe their ambitious and eager _Striving to out-go one another_, in the Pursuit of their Game, and yet restrained by a submissive Compliance to their Masters Pleasure, beyond which they dare not presume to pass. But if you would _pad it_ away through an Unability of footing it, Then choose the _slowest or middle-sized 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 their _Meat_, I leave to the ingenious Huntsman to get; Only this I must tell him, Three Bushels of Oates or Barley-Meal, with the half so much Bran or Mill-dust, besides the Horse-Flesh, Scraps, Bones, Crusts, &c. which the painful Huntsman can procure, is a fit weekly Proportion to keep _nine_ or _ten_ Couple of Hounds. 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_, _Feavors_, &c. of which I come now to speak. 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 Dog, 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 _Weane_ 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 your _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 peices, give every part to your young Whelps; and that will beget in them a Delight in Hunting, and animate them with Courage. And now let us return to speak of _Diseases incident to Dogs, and their Cures._ Because I should think it a very odd Humor for a Person to select these Creatures (Hounds) as instruments for the procurement of his Health Satisfaction, and Delight, and should be so inhumane as to suffer them to perish in their _Diseases_, because they cannot communicate their _Ailings_, and beseech _Redress_; therefore I have briefly summed up the immediate _Cures_ for their several Diseases, and by preventing his Excuse of _Ignorance_, desire his Application, as need require. _For Sick Dogs._ Take Sheeps-heads, Wooll and all, hack, hew, 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_, & 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, will do well. _Tetter._ Take Black _Ink_, Juice of _Mint_ & _Vinegar_, of each a like, mix them altogether with the Powder of _Brimstone_ to a Salve, and Anoint it. _Worms._ Give your Hound _Brimstone_ and new Milk, will kill them. _Gauling._ May _Butter_, yellow _Wax_, and unslackt _Lime_, made to a Salve, and Anoint therewith, is a present Remedy. _Mange._ Take two handfuls of _Wild-Cresses_, of _Elecampane_, 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 dayes together; and ’tis an excellent Remedy. _For any Ear Disease._ Mix _Verjuice_ and _Chervile_ Water together, and drop into his Eares 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_ used in _England_, for which we have chosen our Hounds; I mean the _Time when?_ and the _Manner how?_ Having your Kennel of Hounds in good order and plight, and being desirous to enjoy those Pleasures, for which we have observed the aforesaid Rules; Lead them forth, and to your Game (Gentlemen:) Only take this _Caution_ along with you; Do not forget to have in your Pack a couple of _Hounds_, called _Hunters in the Highwayes_, that will Scent upon hard Ground, where we cannot perceive Pricks or Impressions; and for your Huntsman’s and your own Ease, 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; and if you please, take the following Observations with you, and away. Of _Hart_ or _Stag-Hunting_. Waving the Praises of this Creature, and the large _Encomiums_ due to his several Excellencies, we’ll come to the Doctrinal Part, and understand the _Age_ of this our Game, which 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. But _Where_ and _When_ shall we find him? Examine the following Annual or monethly Season-Description, and you shall find him; begining at the end of Rutting-time, that is, In _November_, in Heaths among Furs, Shrubs and Whines. _December_, in Forrests among thick and strong Woods. _January_, in Corners of the Forrests, 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 Chace, Comfort and Cheer them with Horne 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 Boughes he leave a Scent for the Hounds; And by his Crossings and Doublings he will endeavour to baffle his Pursuers: 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 _Forme_ 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 Forme is new, and from thence you may Hunt and recover the _Hare_; if the contrary (which narrowly observe) it is Old, and if your _Hounds_ call upon it, rate them off; the Scent is Old. 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 alwayes, and the way of taking them thus: Set Pursenets on their Holes, and put in a _Ferret_ close muzzled, and she will bolt them out (being a natural Enemy to them) into the Nets: Or blow on the suddain 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 _Orpine_ 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 Poultrey inviting him to such Places to Lurk in. They make their Earths in hard Clay, stony ground, 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 alarum’d by the Doggs they will repair to their Burrows and Kennells, and running into the Bags are taken. Other Methods there are which are used, but the Common usage makes me omit. _Of the Martern or wild-Cat._ These two Chaces 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 & artificially builds with Boughs, Twiggs and Sticks. A great Devourer of Fish, and eatable in some Countries, where they have _good stomacks_. 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 Rivers 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, _Bulrush-Bed_, or _Osier-Bed_, so that he cannot escape you. _Of the Wild Goat._ This being a _Welsh-Chace_, I thought it not amiss to say something of it, as not altogether Forreign. The _Wild-Goat_ is as bigg and as fleshy as a _Hart_, but not so long-legg’d. The best time for hunting them is, at _All-hollontide_; and having observed the Advantages of the Coasts, Rocks, and places where the _Goats_ lie, set Nets and Toiles towards the Rivers and Bottoms; for ’tis not to be imagined, the Doggs can follow them down every place of the Mountaines. 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 Racing. As all _Beasts_ are Subservient to _Man_, and he a Liberty and Power to Use them, and make them his Instruments, for the Procurement of his _Profit_, or _Pleasure_; so is there not a Creature more Serviceable to man in either of these, as the _Horse_. A _Beast_ Valiant, Strong, Nimble and Hardy, the Vivacity of whose Spirits, neither Heat can scorch, or dry up, nor Cold benumb or freez; he is Valiant, Watchfull, and Laborious, naturally Cleanly, and of exquisite Scent; Gentle and Loving to man, docile, and of a retentive Memory, and Apt or Fit for the performing any Service wherein man employes him. And for the Use of which I am now speaking (_Racing_) he ought to be endued with these Qualifications. That he have the _Finest Cleanest Shape_ possible, and above all, _Nimble_, _Quick_, and _Fiery_, _apt to Fly with the least Motion_; nor is a long Bodied contemptible, it assuring _Speed_, tho it signifies _Weakness_ too. The _Arabian_, _Barbary_, or his Bastard, are esteemed the best for this Use, these excelling _Jennets_, though they are good too. Having furnished your self with a _Horse_ thus qualified, you are to observe his right and due _Ordering_, before your designed _Racing_. _Bartholomew-tide_ is the most proper time to _take him from Grass_; the day before being Dry, Fair, and Pleasant: That Night let him stand conveniently, to empty his Body; the next day _Stable_ him, and feed him with _Wheat-straw_ that day, and no longer; lest you exceeding that time, it straighten his _Guts_, heat his _Liver_, and hurt his _Blood_; for want of _Straw_, Riding him Morning and Evening to _Water_, Airing, or other moderate Exercises will serve. Then feed him with good old sweet _Hay_, and according to the Season, and Temperature of his Body clothe him; for a _Smooth Coat_ shews _Cloth_ enough, and a _Rough Coat_ want of it. Observe likewise where you _Water_ your _Race-Horse_, that it be a Running _Water_, or Clear _Spring_, far distant (a Mile or more) from the _Stable_, adjoyning to some _Levell_; where after he has once well drunk, Gallop him, and so _Water_ and _Scope_ him, till that he refuse to drink more, for that time; then Walk him gently Home, (being an Hour on your way, or more) clothe, and stop him round with soft _Whisps_, and let him stand an Hour upon his _Bridle_, and after feed him with sweet sound _Oats_, throughly dryed either with _Age_, _Kilne_, or _Sun_; if he be low of Flesh, or bad Stomacht, add a third part of Clean Old _Beans_, to two parts of _Oats_, or wash his _Oats_ in Strong _Beer_ or _Ale_. For _Dressing_ take these _Rules_. _Dress_ your _Horse_ twice a day, before you _Water_ him, both Morning, and Evening, thus: _Curry_ him after he is uncloath’d, from his _Ear-tips_ to his _Tayle_, and his whole Body intirely (save his Legs under the Knees, and Cambrels) with an _Iron Comb_; then Dust him, and Rub him with a _Brush_ of _Bristles_ over again. Dust him again, and wetting your hand in clean Water, rub off all the loose Hairs, and so rub him dry as at first; then with a fine _Hair Cloth_ rub him all over; and Lastly, with a fine _Linnen Cloth_; and then pick his _Eyes_, _Nostrils_, _Sheath_, _Cods_, _Tuel_, and _Feet_, clean. The best _Food_ for your _Racer_, is good, sweet, well dryed, sunned, and beaten _Oats_: Or else _Bread_ made of one part _Beans_, and two parts _Wheat_ (_i. e._) two _Bushells_ of _Wheat_, to one of _Beans_, ground together: Boult through a fine _Range_ half a _Bushell_ of fine _Meal_, and bake that in two or three _Loaves_ by it self, and with _Water_, and good store of _Barme_, knead up, and bake the rest in great _Loaves_, having sifted it through a _Meal-sieve_: [But to your _Finer_, you would do well to put the _Whites_ of Twenty or Thirty _Eggs_, and with the _Barme_ a little _Ale_, ’tis no matter how little _Water_:] With the _Courser_ feed him on his Resting dayes, on his Labouring dayes with the _Finer_. The best _Time for feeding_ your _Runner_ on his _Resting-dayes_ is; After his _Watering_ in the Morning, at _One_ a Clock at Noon, after his _VVatering_ in the Evening, and at _Nine_ or _Ten_ a Clock at Nights: On his _Dayes of Labour_, Two Hours after he is throughly Cold, outwardly and inwardly, as before. As for the Proportion of Meat, I shall not confine your Love to a Quantity, only give him a little at once, as long as his Appetite is Good: When he begins to fumble and play with his Meat, hold your Hand, shut up your Sack. As for his _Exercise_ it ought to be Thrice a Week, as his bodily Condition requires; if he be foul, moderate Exercise will break his Grease; if clean, then as you judge best, taking heed of breaking his Mettle, or discouraging him, or laming his Limbs. Before you air him to add to his Wind, it is requisite to give him a raw Egg broken in his mouth: If your Horse be very _Fat_, air him before Sun-rising and after Sun-set; if _Lean_, deprive him not of the least strength and Comfort of the _Sun_ you can devise. To make him _Sweat_ sometimes by coursing him in his Cloathes is necessary, if moderate; but without his Cloaths, let it be sharp and swift. See that he be _empty before you Course him_; and it is wholesome to wash his Tongue and Nostrills with _Vinegar_, or _piss_ in his Mouth, before you back him. And after his Exercise, cool him before you come home, house, litter and rub him well and dry; then cloath him, and give him after every Course a Scouring thus prepared. _For scouring a Race Horse._ Take 20 _Raisins of the Sun_ stoned, 10. _Figgs_ slit in the midst, boyle them till they be thick in a Pottle of Fair Water, mix it with Powder of _Annis-Seeds_, _Lycoras_, and _Sugar-candy_, till it come to a stiff Paste, make them into round Balls, roul them in Butter, and give him three or four of them the next morning after his Course, and ride him an hour after, and then set him up Warm. Or this may be preferred, being both a Purge and a Restorative, a Cleanser and a Comforter, thus prepared. Take three Ounces of _Annis-Seeds_, six Drams of _Cummin-Seeds_, one Dram and half of _Carthamus_, one Ounce and two Drams of _Fennugreek-Seed_, one Ounce and half of _Brimstone_; Beat all these to a fine Powder, and searse them; then take a Pint and two Ounces of _Sallet Oyl_, a pint and half of _Honey_, and a Pottle of _White-wine_; then with a sufficient Quantity of fine white Meal, knead and work all well into a stiff Paste; keep it in a clean Cloath, for use. When occasion requires, dissolve a Ball of it in a Pail of Water, and after Exercise give it him to drink in the Dark, that he may not see the Colour, and refuse it: If he does refuse, let Fasting force him to be of another mind. To conclude, those Instructions, which are enumerated by Mr. _Markham_, I will give you in short before you run, and then away as fast as you can. _Course not your Horse hard four or five dayes before your Match, lest you make his Limbs sore, and abate his Speed._ _Muzzle him not (except a foul Feeder) above two or three Nights before the Race, and the Night before his bloody Courses._ _Give him sharp, as well as gentle, Courses on the Race he is to run._ _Shoe him a day before you run him._ _Let him be empty on the Match Day._ _Saddle him in the Stable, and fix to him the Girths and Pannel with Shoo-makers Wax._ _Lead him with all Gentleness to his Course, and let him smell other Horses Dung to provoke him to stale_, &c. And Lastly, Being come to the starting place rub him well, uncloath him, then take his Back, and the Word given, with all Gentleness and Quietness possible, start and away; _And God speed you well_. Of Hawking, I shall not insist on any large _Encomiums_ of this Recreation, only that it is a most _Princely and serious Pleasure_; nor shall I amuse you with subtle and nice _Distinctions_, and things no way material; But will inform you with what is meerly necessary for the right _Understanding and Use_ of this Noble Art. I shall begin then with _Hawks_, their _Names_ and _Flights_. _Of Hawks there are two sorts._ The Long-Winged Hawks. _Faulcon_ and _Tiercle-gentle_. _Gerfaulcon_ and _Jerkin_. _Saker_ and _Sakaret_. _Lanner_ and _Lanneret_. _Barbary Faulcon._ _Merlin_ and _Jack_. _Hobby_ and _Jack_. The Short-Winged Hawks. _Eagle_ and _Iron_. _Goshawk_ and _Tiercel_. _Sparrow-Hawk_ and _Musket_. There are others too of inferiour sort as, _Ring-Tail._ _Raven_ and _Buzzard_. _Forked Kite._ _Hen-driver_, &c. And as the _Age_ of these _Hawks_ is, so we name them, as The First Year a _Soarage_. The Second Year an _Intermewer_. The Third Year a _White Hawk_. The Fourth Year a _Hawk of the First Coat_. Thus much for their _Names_, now we come to speak of the _Flights_ of these _Hawks_; which are these The _Faulcon-Gentle_, for _Partridge_ or _Mallard_. _Gerfaulcon_, will fly at the _Herne_. _Saker_, at the _Crane_ or _Bittern_. _Lanner_, at the _Partridge_, _Pheasant_ or _Choofe_. _Barbary-Faulcon_, at the _Partridge_ only. _Merlin_ and _Hobby_, at the _Lark_, or any small Bird. _Goshawk_ and _Tiercel_, at the _Partridge_, or _Hare_. _Sparrow-Hawk_, at the _Partridge_ or _Black-Bird_. And the _Musket_, at the _Bush_. Thus much for their several proper _Flights_, we are now come to their _Manning_, the Method of which being generally one and the same (though it has been the Labour of some to spend much Time, and many Words in treating of the various wayes of _Manning Hawks_, and yet comes all to one effect) I shall in short (according to the Design of this _Epitome_) lay down this Rule: That you watch, and keep them from Sleep, continually carrying them upon your _Fist_, familiarly stroak them with a Wing of some Dead _Fowle_, or the like, and play with them; Accustome to gaze, and look in their Face with a Loving, Smiling, Gentle Countenance; and that will make her acquainted, and familiar with Man. Having made them familiar, the next thing is to _Bring them to the Lure_, (which the _Faulconer_ makes of _Feathers_, and _Leather_ much like a _Fowle_, which he casts into the Air, and calls the _Hawk_ to) which is after this manner. Set your _Hawk_ on the _Perch_, unhood her, and shew her some _Meat_ within your _Fist_, call her by _Chirping_, _Whistling_ or the like, till she comes, then Feed her with it; if she comes not, let her Fast, and be sharp set: _Short-winged Hawks_, are properly said to be _Called_, not _Lured_. Make her bold, and acquainted with _Men_, _Dogs_, and _Horses_, and let her be eager and sharp-set, before you shew her the _Lure_; knowing her _Luring_ Hours; and let both sides of the _Lure_ be garnished with warm, and bloody _Meat_; let her likewise know your _Voice_ well; so that being well acquainted with _Voice_, and _Lure_, the Hearing of the one, or Sight of the other, makes her Obedient; which you must reward by _Feeding_, or punish by _Fasting_. But before _Luring_ (or any _Flight_) it is requisite to _Bathe_ your _Hawk_ in some quiet and still shallow _Brook_, or for want of that in a Large _Bason_, shallow _Tub_, or the like, lest being at Liberty, you lose your _Hawk_, (whose Nature requires such Bathing) and make her rangle. Now to make her know her _Lure_, is thus: Give your _Hawk_ to another, and having loosned in readiness her Hood-strings, and fastened a _Pullet_ to the _Lure_, go a little distance, cast it half the length of the string about your Head, still _Luring_ with your Voice, unhood your _Hawk_, and throw it a little way from her: If she stoop and seize, let her plume the _Pullet_, and feed on it upon the _Lure_: Then take her and Meat on your Fist, Hood her, and give her the Tiring of the Wing, or Foot of the said _Pullet_. Having _Manned_ and _Lured_ your _Hawk_, before you bring her to her _Flight_, one thing is to be observed and done, called in the _Faulconers Dialect_, _Enseaming_, which is to cleanse her from _Fat_, _Grease_, & _Glut_, known by her round _Thighs_, and full _Meutings_; and thus you may do it: In the Morning when you feed her, give her a bit or two of _Hot-meat_, and at Night very little or nothing. Then feed her Morning and Evening with a _Rook_, wash’d twice till the Pinions be tender; then give a Casting of Feathers as her Nature will bear; and once in two or three dayes give her a _Hens-neck_ well joynted and washt: Then a quick train _Pigeon_ every Morning; and after by these and her own Exercise, she has broken and dissolved the _Grease_, give her three or Four _Pellets_ of the Root of _Sellandine_, as bigg as a _Garden Pease_, steept in the Sirrup of _Roses_; and you have done this part of your Duty. To _Enter_ your _Hawks_, for _Partridge_ or _Fowle_, observe this. Lay an Old Feild-_Partridge_ in a Hole, covered with something, and fasten to it a small _Creance_ (_i. e._ a Fine small long Line of strong and even-wound Packthread fastned to the _Hawks_ Leash when first Lured,) and uncoupling your ranging _Spaniels_, pluck off the Covering of the Traine _Partridge_ and let it go, and the _Hawk_ after it; and as soon as she has slain it, reward her well with it. And thus to make her fly at _Fowle_, feed her well with the _Traine_ of the Fowle you would have; doing afterwards as above. The _Faults_ of _Hawks_ differ according to their Nature and Make: _Long-winged Hawks_ faults are thus helped. If she used _to take stand_, flying at the River, or in Champain Feilds, shun flying near Trees or Covert; or otherwise, let several Persons have _Trains_, and as she offers to stand, let him that’s next her cast out his Traine, and she killing it reward her. And indeed you ought never to be without some live Bird or Fowle in your Bag, as _Pigeon_, _Duck_, _Mallard_, &c. If she be _Froward_ and _Coy_; when she Kills, reward her not as usually, but slide some other meat under her, and let her take her pleasure on it; giving her some Feathers to make her scoure and cast. If she be _Wild_, _look not inward_, but mind _Check_, (_i. e._ other Game, as _Crows_, &c. that fly cross her) then lure her back, and stooping to it, reward her presently. The faults of _Short-Winged Hawks_ thus are helped. Sometimes the _Goshawk_ and _Sparrow-Hawks_, will neither kill, nor _Fly_ the Game to _Mark_, but will turn _Taile_ to it: Then encourage your Dogs to Hunt, cast a Traine _Partridge_ before your _Hawk_, make her seize it, and feed well upon it. 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. The Battle done search, and suck your Cocks wounds, and wash them well with hot _Urine_, then give him a Roll of your best Scowring, and stove him for that Night. If he be swelled, the next morning, suck and bathe his Wounds again, and pounce them with the Powder of the Herb _Robert_, thro a fine Bag; give him an handfull of Bread in warm Urine, and stove him, till the swelling be down. If he be hurt in his Eye, chew a little ground _Ivy_, and Spit the Juice in it; which is good for _Films_, _Haws_, _Warts_, &c. Or if he hath _veined_ himself in his fight, by narrow striking, or other cross blows, when you have found the hurt, bind the soft Down of Hare to it, will cure it. When you visit your wounded _Cocks_, a month or two after you have put them to their Walks, if you find about their heads any swollen Bunches, hard and blackish at one end, then there are unsound Cores undoubtedly in them; therefore open them, and with your Thumb crush them out, suck out the Corruption, and fill the holes with fresh Butter; and that will infallibly cure them. _Cures for Distempers incident to the Cock or Chick of the Game._ For _Lice_, being most common, I begin with; proceeding from corrupt Meat, and want of Bathing, _&c._ Take _Pepper_ beaten to Powder, mix it with warm Water, and wash them with it. For the _Roup_; a filthy swelling on the Rump, and very contagious to the whole body, the staring and turning back of the Feathers is it Symptome. Pull away the Feathers, open and thrust out the Core, and wash the Sore with Water and Salt, or Brine. For the _Pip_; visit the mouth, and examine what hinders your _Cocks_, _Hen_, or _Chicks_ feeding, and you’ll find a white thin Scale on the Tip of the Tongue, which pull off with your Naile, and rubbing the Tongue with Salt, will cure it. For the _Flux_; proceeding from eating too moist Meat, give them Pease-Bran scalded, will stop it. For the _Stoppage of the Belly_, that they cannot mute; Anoint their Vents, and give them either small bits of Bread or Corn, steep’d in Urine of Man. For the _Eyes_, I have spoken before, and refer you to that; and for other Infirmities, let Practise be your Directory. And now I have one Word of Advice to him that is a Lover (or would be so) of this _Royal-Sport_; and then have done: _Come not to the Pitt without Money in your Breeches, and a Judgment of Matches_; +Done+ and +Done+ is _Cock-Pitt_ +Law+, and if you venture beyond your Pocket, you must look well to it, or you may loose an Eye by the Battle. Thus much for _Cock-Fighting_. Of Fowling. This is a Recreation so full of _Variety_; that it would take up a great many _Words_ and _Time_ to discover it; but varying indeed from this Design, I shall not dilate on its several parts, but as succinctly as may be, give you some methodical _Instructions_, as may make a man capable of the _Active_ as well as _Passive_ part of this Pleasure, and without the one he cannot have the other. Now then the _Ingenious Fowler_, like a Politick and sagacious Warrior, must first furnish and store himself with those several Stratagems and Engines, as suit with the diversities of _Occasion_ (_i. e. Time_,) _Place_, and _Game_; or else he cannot expect the _Conquest_. And first of _Nets_, which must be made of the best pack-thread, and for taking _Great Fowl_, the Meshes must be large, two Inches at least from point to point, the larger the better; (provided the Fowle creep not through;) two Fathom _deep_, and six in _Length_, is the best and most manageable Proportion; Verged with strong Cord on each side, and extended with long Poles at each end made on purpose. But for small _Water-Fowle_; Let your Nets be of the smallest and strongest Pack-thread, the Meshes so big, as for the great Fowle, about two or three foot deep: Line these on both sides with false Nets, every Mesh a foot and half Square. For the _Day-Net_, it must be made of fine Pack-thread, the Mesh an inch square, three Fathom long, and one broad, and extended on Poles according to its Length, as aforesaid. _Birdlime_ is the next, and thus made. Pill the _Bark of Holly_ from the Tree at _Midsummer_, fill a Vessel, and put to it running Water; boile it over the fire till the _Grey_ and _White Bark_ rise from the _Green_; take it off the fire, draine the Water well away, and seperate the Barks; and take the Green, lay it on some moist floor and close place, and cover it with _Hemblocks_, _Docks_, _Thistles_, and all manner of Weeds; let it lye a fortnight, and in that time it will rot, and turn to a filthy slimy Substance: Then put it into a Morter, beat it till you perceive not what it was; take it out and wash it soundly at some running stream, till the Foulness is gone: Then put it in a close Earthen pot; let it stand four or five dayes, look to its Purging, and scum it: When clean, put it into another Earthen Pot, and keep it close for Use. Your _Setting-Dog_ comes next, and sayes you must _Elect_ and _Train_ him thus: He must be of exquisite Scent, and love naturally to hunt Feathers. The _Land-Spaniel_ is best, being of good nimble size, and couragious mettle, which you may know by his Breed; being of a good Ranger, _&c._ Having chosen your Dog, begin to _instruct_ him at half a Year old. First make him familiar and acquainted well with your self above others, by feeding him your self, alwayes going abroad with you, and correcting him with _Words_ not Blows. So that he will follow none but you, distinguish your Frowns from smiles, rough from smooth Words. The first Lesson is, to make him _Crouch and lie down_ close to the ground; and this is done by frequent laying him on the ground and crying _Lye close_; upon his doing well reward him with Bread; and on the contrary chastise him with Words, not Blows. Next, To _creep to you with his Body and Head close upon the ground_, by saying, _Come nearer, Come nearer_, or the like Words; to understand and do it, entice him with shewing him Bread, or the like: Thrusting down any rising part of his Body or head, and roughly threatning him; if he slight that, a good Jerk or two with a slash of Whip-cord will reclaim his Obstinacy. Repeat his Lessons, and incourage his well doing. And this you may exercise in the Fields as you walk, calling him from his busie Ranging to his _Duty_. And then teach him to follow you close at the heels in a Line or string, without straining. By this time he is a year old, now (the season fit) into the Field, and let him _range_, [obediently.] If he wantonly babble or causelesly open, correct him by biting soundly the Roots of his Ears, or Lashing. Assoon as you find he approaches the Haunt of the _Partridge_, known by his Whining, and willing, but not daring, to open, speak and bid him, _Take heed_: If notwithstanding this he rush in and _Spring_ the _Partridge_, or opens, and so they escape, correct him severely. Then cast him off to another Haunt of a _Covie_, and if he mends his Error, and you take any by drawing your Net over them swiftly, reward them with the Heads, Necks, and Pinions. As for the _Water-Dog_, the Instructions above for the _Setter_ will serve; only to fetch and bring by loosing a Glove, or the like, is every mans common Observation, and therefore shall here for Brevities sake omit; only keep a strict Subjection in him, and Observance to your Commands. I shall say something too of the _Fowling-Piece_ and _Stalking-Horse_, and then to your sports. The longest _Barrel is the best Fowling-Peice_, five and half, or six foot long, with an indifferent Bore, under an _Harquebuse_; and shooting with the Wind, and side-wayes, or behind the Fowl, not in their faces, is to be observed; having your Dog in Command not to stir till you have shot. A _Stalking-Horse_ for shelter, to avoid being seen by the shie Fowle, is an old Jade trained on purpose; but this being rare and troublesome, have recourse to Art, to take Canvas, stuft and painted in the shape of a Horse grazing, and so light that you may carry him on one hand (not too bigg:) Others do make them in the shape of _Ox_, _Cow_, for Variety; and _Stag_, _Trees_, _&c._ Thus being provided with necessary Engines for prosecuting and effecting so cunning and pleasant a work, _Let’s abroad_; and let not the _Ale-House_, _Tavern_, or _Brothel-Houses_, debauch and benumn our Spirits, but let us with the Fowler exhilerate our Minds, refresh our Bodies, & for a little Pains reap a great deal of Pleasure & Satisfaction, whet our Appetites, and get Meat too for them. Now then according to my proposed Method, let us first examine _Where_ to find our Game? that is, The _Haunts of Fowle_, whether _Land_ or _Water_ Fowle; by which two Characters I distinguish them, because of their Variety and Multiplicity. The _greater Fowle_, or those who _divide the Foot_, reside by shallow Rivers sides, Brooks and Plashes of Water; and in low and boggy places, and sedgie, Marish, rotten Grounds. They also delight in the dry parts of drowned Fens, overgrown with long Reeds, Rushes and Sedges; as likewise in half-drowned Moors, hollow Vales of Downs, Heaths, _&c._ Where obscurely they may lurk under the Shelter of Hedges, Hills, Bushes, _&c._ The _Lesser_, or Web-footed, _Fowle_, allwayes haunt drowned Fens, as likewise the main streams of Rivers not subject to Freeze, the deeper and broader, the better; (tho of these the _Wild-Goose_ and _Barnacle_, if they cannot sound the depth, and reach the Ouze, change their Residence for shallow places, and delight in Green-Winter-Corn, especially if the Lands ends have Water about them:) _Small Fowle_ also frequent hugely little Brooks, Ponds, drowned Meadows, Pastures, Moors, Plashes, Meres, Loughs, and Lakes, stored with unfrequented Islands, Shrubs, _&c._ _How to take all manner of Fowl or Birds._ For taking the first (I mean the greater _Fowle_) with _Nets_, observe in general this: Come two hours before their feeding hours, Morning and Evening; and spreading your Net on the Ground smooth and flat, stake the two lower ends firm, and let the upper ends be extended on the long Cord; of which the further end must be fastned to the ground, three Fathom from the Net, the stake in a direct Line with the lower Verge of the Net; the other, ten or twelve fathoms long, have in your hand at the aforesaid distance, and get some shelter of Art or Nature, to keep you from the curious and shie Eye of your Game; having your Net so ready that the least pull may do your work, Strew’d over with Grass as it lies to hide it: A live _Herne_, or some other Fowle lately taken, according to what you seek for, will be very requisite for a _Stale_. And you will have sport from the Dawning, till the Sun is about an hour high; but no longer; and from Sun-set till Twilight; these being their feeding times. For the _small_ (Water) _Fowle_. Observe the Evening is best before Sun-set. Stake down your Nets on each side the River half a foot within the Water, the lower part so plumb’d as to sink no further; the upper slantwise shoaling against, but not touching by two foot, the Water, and the Strings which bear up this upper side fastned to small yeilding sticks prickt in the Bank, that as the Fowle strike may ply to the Nets to entangle them. And thus lay your Nets (as many as you please) about twelve score one from another, as the River or Brook will afford. And doubt not your success. To expedite it however, a _Gun_ fired three or four times in the _Fens_ and _Plashes_, a good distance from your Nets, will affright and post them to your Snares; and so do at the _Rivers_, when you lay in the _Fens_. Thus much in general for _Nets_, I come next to _Bird-Lime_. _Winter time_ is the most proper for taking all manner of _Small Birds_, as flocking then promiscuously together, _Larks_, _Lennets_, _Chaffinches_, _Goldfinches_, _Yellow-Hammers_, &c. with this _Bird-lime_, made as afore-spoken; only additionally thus ordered. Put to a quarter of a pound of _Bird-lime_, an Ounce of fresh _Lard_, or _Capons-grease_, and let it gently melt together over the Fire, but not Boyl; then take a quantity of _Wheat-ears_, as you think your use shall require, and cut the straw about a foot long besides the Ears, and from the Ear _Lime_ the straw Six inches; the warmer it is, the less discernable it will be: Then to the _Field_ adjacent, carrying a bag of Chaff, and thresh’d Ears, scatter them twenty Yards wide, and stick the _lim’d Ears_ (declining downwards) here, and there; Then traverse the _Fields_, disturb their _Haunts_, they will repair to your Snare, and pecking at the Ears, finding they stick to them, mount; and the _Lim’d_ straws, lapping under their Wings, dead their flight, they cannot be disengaged, but fall and be taken they must. Do not go near them, till they rise of their own accord, and let not five or six entangled lead you to spoyl your Game, and incur the loss of five or six dozen. _Barn-doors_, _Thatcht-Houses_, and such like places, are excellent too for the use of these _Lime-straws_. _A Clap- Net_, and _Lanthorn_, in a dark night rub’d at the Eaves of Houses, is a common practice. _Lime-Twigs_, is another Expedient for taking of Great _Fowle_, being Rods that are long, small, straight, and pliable, the upper part (apt to play to and fro) being besmeared with _Bird-lime_ warm. Thus to be used, Observe the Haunts of the _Fowle_, have a _Stale_, (a living Fowle of the same kind you would take) and cross pricking your Rods, one into, and another against the Wind sloping, a foot distant one from the other, pin down your _Stale_, some distance from them, tying some small string to him, to pull and make him flutter to allure the _Fowle_ down. If any be caught, do not run presently upon them, their fluttering will encrease your Game. A well taught _Spaniel_ is not amiss to retake those that are entangled, and yet flutter away. Thus likewise for the _Water_, consult the Rivers depth, and let your Rods be proportionable; what is _Limed_ of them being above the Water, and a _Mallard_, &c. as a _Stale_ placed here and there, as aforesaid. You need not wait on them, but three times a day visit them, and see your _Game_; if you miss any Rods (therefore know their Number) some Fowle entangled is got away with it, into some Hole, _&c._ and here your _Spaniel_ will be serviceable to find him. For _Small-Birds_, a _Lime-bush_ is best; thus, Cut down a great Bough of a _Birch_, or _Willow-Tree_, trim it clean, and _Lime_ it handsomely, within four fingers of the bottom: Place this _Bush_ so ordered, in some quick-set, or dead _Hedge_, in _Spring_ time: In _Harvest_, or _Summer_, in _Groves_, _Bushes_, _Hedges_, _Fruit-Trees_, _Flax_, and _Hemp-Lands_: In _Winter_, about _Houses_, _Hovells_, _Barns_, _Stacks_, &c. A _Bird-Call_ is here also necessary, or your own industrious skill in the Notes of several Birds. _Lime-twigs_ are likewise used, stuck on _Hemp-cocks_, which take vast Numbers of _Lennets_, and _Green-Birds_, that love that _Diet_. An _Owle_ placed near your _Lime-twigs_, is likewise an Excellent _Stale_, for being persecuted by all other _Birds_, they flock about him, and dye with Hatred; I mean, being taken by you, in their eager, and malicious Persecution of poor _Tom_. Some have Natural, others Artificial _Owles_, and with either fear not Success. And thus you may do, in any particular _Game_, with your _Twigs_, and _Stale_ of the same kind, as, _Snipes_, _Felfares_, _Pigeons_, &c. And here I must not forget the _Farmers_ Advantage, to destroy his _Corn_-destroyers, _Rooks_, but give him this Advice: Take some thick _Brown-paper_, divide a sheet into Eight parts, and make them into the fashion of _Sugar-Loaves_; _Lime_ them a little in the inside, and put some _Corn_ in them (if in _Ploughing_ time, _Wormes_, and _Maggots_) lay _Three_ or _Four Score_ up and down the Land, under (if you can) some Clod, early, before feeding time: Be at some distance, and behold the ensuing Sport. Your _Pigeons_, _Rooks_, _Crows_, &c. comeing to pick out the _Corn_ or _Worms_, the _Pyramidal-snare_ hangs on their heads, they fly straight upright, almost out of sight, and as if some _Gun_ in the Ayr had met with them, down they come tumbling (being spent) and become your Prey. Thus much in general of taking all manner of _Fowle_, by _Net_, or _Lime_, I come next to know their best Seasons, when to use them, and the first (the _Net_) is from the beginning of _May_, to the latter end of _October_; and the last (the _Lime_) in the _Winter_ only, beginning from _November_, and ending at _May_, in which times, there being no Leaves, your _Lime-Bushes_, and _Branches_ of _Trees_ are of one and the same Hue. And because Gentlemen who have _Fish-ponds_, wonder they loose so many _Fish_, and are apt to Censure sometimes undeservedly their Neighbours, when it is the insatiable _Hern_, that is the true cause: I shall next lay down the best and most approved way of taking the great _Fish-devouring Herne_, whose _Haunt_ having found, observe this Method to take him. Get three or four small _Roaches_, or _Dace_, take a strong _Hook_, (not too rank) with Wyre to it, and draw the Wyre just within the skin, from the side of the _Gills_, to the _Taile_ of the said _Fish_, and he will live four or five dayes, (if dead, the _Herne_ will not touch it.) Then having a strong Line, of a dark-_Green-Silk_, twisted with Wyre, about three yards long, tye a round stone of a pound to it, and lay three or four such hooks, but not too deep in the Water, out of the _Herne’s_ wading; and two or three Nights will answer your Expectation. And here I thought to conclude this Discourse of _Fowling_, but the young _Tyro_ or _Beginner_ in the Acquest of this Noble Art, pulls me back again, and whispers this Question in my Ear, How to take _Pheasants_, _Partridges_, &c. in particular, by either of the forementioned wayes, as, _Nets_, _Lime_, _Engine_, _Driving_, or _Setting_; because of all _Fowl_ for _Game_, these two are esteemed as the most Gentile, and Profitable? I shall answer his Curiosity, and for his Instruction, propose these ensuing Rules, though what I have said in general of Great _Fowl_ might suffice. _The severall wayes of taking _Pheasants_._ For to take _Pheasants_ with _Nets_, first find their _Haunts_, or _Coverts_, which are generally in thick, young, well-grown _Copses_, solitary and untraced by Men or Cattle, and not in Old High _Woods_; and never in open _Fields_. Which having assured knowledge of, the next thing is to find out the _Eye_, or _Brood_ of _Pheasants_, wich according to the best Experience is thus. You must learn and understand the several Notes of a Natural _Pheasant-Call_, and how usefully to apply them. In the Morning just before, or at _Sun-rising_, call them to feed, and so at _Sun-setting_: In the _Forenoon_, and _Afternoon_, your Note must be to Cluck them together to _Brood_, or to chide them for straggling, or to notify some danger at hand. Thus skilled in their _Notes_, and by the Darkness, Solitaryness, and strong undergrowth of the place assured of their _Haunts_, closely lodge your self, and softly at first call; lest being near you, a loud _Note_ affright them; and no Reply made, raise your _Note_ gradually, to the highest; and if there be a _Pheasant_ in hearing, he will answer you, in as loud a _Note_. Be sure it be Tunable. As soon as you are answered, creep nearer to it; if far off, and a single _Fowl_, as you call, and approach, so will the _Pheasant_. Having gotten sight of her, on the _Ground_, or _Perch_, cease calling, and with all silence possible, spread your _Net_ conveniently, between the _Pheasant_, and you, one end of the _Net_ fastned to the _Ground_, and the other end, hold by a long Line in your hand, by which you may pull it together, if strained; then call again, and as you see the _Pheasant_ come under your _Net_, rise and shew your self, and affrighting her, she will mount, and so is taken. Thus if on the contrary you have divers _Answers_, from several _Corners_ of the _Coppice_, and you keep your place and not stir, they will come to your Call, and then having a pair of _Nets_, spread one on each side, and do as before. Your _Nets_ must be made of _Green_ or _Black_ double-twin’d _Thread_, the _Mesh_ about an inch square, between _Knot_, and _Knot_, the whole _Net_ about three _Fathom_ long, and Seven _Foot_ broad, verged with strong small Cord on each side and ends, to lye hollow and compass-wise. The next way of taking _Pheasant-Powts_, is by _Driving_ thus. Having found the _Haunt_ of an _Eye of Pheasants_, known by the _Barrenness_ of the place, _Mutings_ and loose Feathers, then in the little Pads and Wayes, like Sheep-tracks, they have made, place your Nets (taking the wind with you) a-cross these Paths, hollow, loose and circularly, the nether part fixt to the ground, and the upper side hollow, _&c._ as aforesaid: Then to their _Haunt_, and there _call_ them together, if scattered; then with a _Driver_, an Instrument like that of _Cloath-dressers_, rake gently the Bushes and Boughs about you, the _Powts_ will run, and stop and listen; then give a nother rake, and so you will drive them like sheep into your Nets: Observe in this _Secrecy_, _Time_ and _Leisure_, or you spoyl your sport; _Secrecy_ in concealing your self from being seen by them; and _Time_ and _Leisure_, by not being too hasty. Lastly for taking _Pheasants_ with the _Lime-Bush_, or Rods, order these, as I have before prescribed; your Rods about twelve Inches long, and your Bush containing not above eight Twigs, with a pretty long Handle, sharpned to stick in the Ground, or Bushes, Shrubs, _&c._ and let it be planted as near the _Pheasants pearching Branch_, as may be. Place your Rods on the Ground, near the Bush; which will help the Bush; for when some are taken below by the Rods, they will scare up the others to get on the Bushes to seek what’s become of their Fellows, and there become your Prey themselves. Thus provided, keep close not to be discovered; out with your Call, and use it _Skilfully_ and well, and you need not fear Game. Number the Rods you planted, and if any be missing, some _Pheasant_ is crept away with it, and here let your Spaniel be employed to serve you in finding out the last sanctuary of the poor _Pheasant_, thus shunning his inevitable Captivity and Death. _For taking Partridge._ As in all the foregoing Sports, the _Place_ where to find them is our first Enquiry, so here (as you did of the _Pheasant_) you must first find the _Partridges Haunt_. Which is mostly in standing-Corn-Fields, where they breed; as likewise in Stubble after the Corn is cut, especially Wheat-stubble till it is trodden, and then they repair to Barley-Stubble, if fresh; and the Furrows amongst the Clots, Brambles and long Grass, are sometimes their lurking places, for Twenty and upward in a Covy. In the _Winter_ in up-land Meadows, in the dead Grass or Fog under Hedges, among Mole-Hills; or under the Roots of Trees, _&c._ Various and uncertain are their _Haunts_. And tho some by the _Eye_, by distinguishing their Colour from the ground, others by the _Ear_, by hearing the Cock call earnestly the Hen, and the Hens answering, and chattering with Joy at meeting, do find _Partridge_; yet the best, easiest and safest way of finding them is (as you do the _Pheasant_) by the Call or Pipe; applying your Notes seasonable, as before prescribed, and they will come near to you, and you may count their Numbers, and to your sport. Surround your Covy, prepare your Nets, and pricking a stick fast in the ground, tye the one end to it, and let your Nets fall as you walk briskly round without stopping, and cover the _Partridge_; then rush in upon them to frighten them, and as they rise they are taken. For taking them with _Bird-Lime_, thus. Call first near the _Haunt_; if answered, stick about your _Lime-Straws_ (of which I have spoken before) a-cross in ranks two or three Lands, at some distance from you; then call again, and as they approach you, they are intercepted by the Straws; and to your Prey. This way is used most successfully in Stubble-Fields, from _August_ to _September_: And Rods in Woods, Pastures, _&c._ as for the _Pheasant_. But lastly, above all (to omit all others) the most pleasant way of taking Partridge is with a _Setting-Dog_ (of which I have spoken before and refer you thither) who having set them, (known by the already mentioned signs) use your Net, as you have heard just now: And by these Rules and Method, the _Railes_, _Quailes_, _Moorpootes_, _&c._ are to be taken; and are for _Hawks_ flight too. And here I must make an end of the most material part of _Fowling_. For as for treating of all manner of _Singing Birds_, their _Taking_, which in general hath been before observed, their _Preserving_ and _Keeping_, their _Natural Breeding_ and _Feeding_, is a Work of such common Observation, and so differing from the Design of this Treatise of _Violent_ and _Brisk Exercises_, that omitting it altogether here, shall refer you to the Venders of them, whom you may meet with in every Street, and furnish your self at easy rates; and are indeed but _Voces & præterea Nihil_. Thus much for _Fowling_. Of Fishing. So _Ancient_, so _Innocent_, so _Vertuous_, and so _Useful_ is this Recreation, that all the foregoing Divertisements, must needs give place to this, and however (inadvertently) it comes in here, challenges a Preference, and Acceptance before any Pleasure can by the heart of Man be desired. As for its _Antiquity_ some attribute its Knowledge to _Belus_ Son of _Nimrod_, who first invented all Vertuous Sports; others to _Seth_ and his Sons, he having left it on brazen Pillars engraven with indelible Characters not to be obliterated by the ensuing Flood. _Job_ makes mention of Fishing, who Lived as may be supposed before _Moses_; nor is it questionable, whether the illustrious Patriarchs used not this Recreation. Certain it is, there were many _Fishermen_ before _Christs_ Coming, whose sole Dependance was on this Innocent Art. _Innocent_ indeed and harmless, when the Lamb of God himself _recommended_ it (as I may say) as such, by his Divine Call of four _Fishermen_, to be his Disciples, and by distinguishing & dignifying them with the greatest _Intimacy_ with himself, and chiefest place in the _Apostolical Catalogue_; and by the Inspiration of his Spirit ennobled their Function; he made them Eminent _Fishers of men_. Nay, at the expence of a _Miracle_, he shewed the _Lawful Use_ of Fishing, when the mouth of _Peter’s_ Fish he commanded him to take, was the _Tribute-Money’s Purse_. And why our Saviour made his first Election of Fishermen, before others, this may be the undoubted Reason: Because he knew such men were naturally of more Contemplative and Serene Minds, of more Calme, Peaceable, and sweet Dispositions; And let me add too in the next place, because it is the School of Vertue (as I may call it) wherein the Primitive Christian Vertues are learnt and exercised. _Patience_ is the immediate Vertue wherewith the _Angler_ is endued, without which the Pleasure doth no longer exist; and attended with her three Sisters compleat his Delight. For _Justice_ directs him to the due Place of Sport, where he may freely exercise his Art, without Injury or Incivility to his Neighbours: _Temperance_ prescribes a _Measure_ to the Action, and moderates and rules the Affections. And lastly _Fortitude_ encourages and strengthens his mind, to support the Labour and undergo with Perseverance all Disappointments, excludes _Passion_ (incident to other Recreations,) at the loss of a Hook, or (perhaps that he never had) a Fish. It makes him not fear Wind nor Weather, nor is his delight sowered at last with _Melancholy_ and Vexation; but tho the Anglers Reward is but a little Fish, for a great deal of Pains, the Contentment and Satisfaction is above that. Finally the _Usefulness_ of it is apparently great; for the cherishing the Body, and cheering the Mind, for diverting Sadness, and calming unquiet Thoughts, for moderating Passions and procuring Contentedness, and begetting Peace and Patience in those that profess and practise it. It has been the Recreation of Gods Saints, and Holy Fathers; and of many Worthy and Reverend Divines, this hath been and is now their beloved Pastime. And so I shall conclude this _Encomium_ of Fishing; Volumes may be written in its praise (in which I am something wanting in the other foregoing Sports, this claiming it as its just due above the rest) but I long to tell you _How_, _When_ and _Where_, you may taste its Delight. It hath been the Method of this whole Treatise, to divide the several distinct Heads of each Recreation into three Parts, to render the Observations and Rules the more plain and easy, for the prosecuting the Recreation we treat of. 1. _What_ it is we pursue. 2. _Where_ and _When_ to find that we would delight our selves in. 3. _With what_ proper _Mediums_ or Measures we may obtain the desired Effects of our endeavours therein. And in this delightful Scene of Pastime, we now treat of, Fishing, so full of Variety and Choice, I shall observe the same Method. First then, _What_ we pursue is Fish, distinguished according to their sundry kinds by these following _Names_. The _Barbel_, _Breame_, _Bleak_, _Bulhead_, or Millers-Thumb; _Chevin_, _Char_, _Chub_, _Carp_; _Dace_, _Dare_; _Eel_; _Flounder_; _Grayling_, _Gudgeon_, _Guiniad_; _Loach_; _Minnow_; _Pope_ or _Pike_, _Pearch_; _Rud_, _Roach_; _Sticklebag_ or Bansticle, _Salmon_, _Shad_, _Suant_; _Tench_, _Torcoth_, _Trout_, _Thwait_, and _Umber_. All these Alphabetically thus named are the different sorts of Fish, in taking which the Angler commonly exercises his Art. We come next, _Where_ to find them. I. To know the _Haunts_ and Resorts of Fish, in which they are to be usually found, is the most Material thing the Angler ought to be instructed in, lest he vainly prepare _how to take_ them, and preposterously seek _where to find_ that he prepared for. To prevent which you are first to understand, That as the Season of the Year is, so _Fish_ change their places: In _Summer_, some keep near the Top, others the bottom of the Waters. In _Winter_, all _Fish_ in general resort to deep Waters. But more particularly, The _Barbel_, _Roach_, _Dace_, and _Ruff_, covet most _Sandy, Gravelly Ground_, the deepest part of the _River_, and the Shadows of _Trees_. _Breame_, _Pike_, and _Chub_, delight in a _Clay_, and _Ouzie Ground_: The _Bream_ chooseth the middle of the _River_, in a gentle not too rapid Stream: The _Pike_ prefereth still Waters, full of _Fry_, and absconding himself amongst _Bull-Rushes_, _Water-docks_, or under _Bushes_, that under these shelters he may more securely surprize and seize his Prey: The _Chub_ too chooses the same Ground, large Rivers and Streams, and is rarely destitute of some Tree to cover and shade him. _Carp_, _Tench_ and _Eel_, frequent foul muddy still Waters. The _greatest Eels_ lurk under Stones, or Roots; the _smallest_ ones are found in all sorts of Rivers or Soyls: The _Carp_ is for the deepest stillest part of Pond or River, and so is the _Tench_, and both delight in green Weeds. _Pearch_ delighteth in gentle Streams of a reasonable Depth, not too shallow; close by a Hollow Bank is their common Sanctuary. _Gudgeon_ covets Sandy, Gravelly, Gentle Streams, and smaller Rivers; not so much abounding in Brooks. He bites best in Spring, till they spawn, and a little after till _Wasp_ time. The _Salmon_ delights in large swift Rivers, which ebb and flow; and are there plentifully to be found: As likewise Rocky and Weedy Rivers. But in the latter end of the Year he is to be found high up in the Country, in swift and violent Cataracts, coming thither to spawn. The _Trout_ loves small swift purling Brooks or Rivers, that run upon Stones or Gravel, and in the swiftest deepest part of them, getteth behind some Stone-Block and there feeds. He delights in a Point of a River where the Water comes Whirling like the Eddy, to catch what the Stream brings down, especially if he has the Shade of a Tree: He hugely delights to lurk under some hollow Bank or Stone; seldom among Weeds. _Shad_, _Thwait_, _Plaice_, _Peel_, _Mullet_, _Suant_ and _Flownder_, covet chiefly to be in or near the Salt or Brackish Waters, which ebb and flow: The last, _viz._ the _Flownder_, have been taken in fresh Rivers, as coveting Sand and Gravel, deep gentle streams, near Banks, _&c._ Lastly the _Umber_ affects Marly Clay Ground, clear and swift Streams, far from the Sea; the greatest Plenty of these Fish is found in _Derbyshire_ and _Staffordshire_. Thus much for the _Haunts_ of Fish; I come next to know _When_ is the most _seasonable time_ to catch them; which before I speak to, let him that would become a compleat Angler, take this Rule. That he observe narrowly what Pond or River soever he fisheth in, whether it be slimy, muddy, stoney or gravelly; whether of a swift or slow Motion; As likewise that he know the Nature of each Fish, and what Baits are most proper for every kind: Not to let his Knowledg be circumscribed to one or two particular Rivers, whither he is invited to Angle and take his Observations by the Vicinity of his House; but to let his Knowledge be _general_, and consequently his Sport will be so too. His Ignorance otherwise will oblige him to be a Spectator in another River, when his Excellency is confined to that only experienced one in or near his own Parish or House. But to proceed, II. To understand the best _Time when_ to Angle in, We must first consider Affirmatively, when most _Seasonable_: Or, 2. Negatively, when _Unseasonable_. 1. _Seasonable_ Angling is, When the Weather is calme, serene and clear; tho the Cool cloudy Weather in Summer is to be preferred, provided the Wind blow not too boistrously, to hinder your easy Guiding your Tools; In the hottest Months the cooler the better. 2. When a Violent shower hath disturbed the Water and mudded it, then with a _Red Worm_, Angle in the Stream at the ground. 3. A little before Fish spawn, when they repair to Gravely Fords to rub and loosen their full Bellies; they bite freely. 4. From Sun-rising till eight of the Clock in the Morning, and from four in the Afternoon till night for _Carp_ and _Tench_. In _June_ and _July_, _Carps_ shew themselves on the very rim of the Water, then Fish with a _Lob-Worm_, as you would with a Natural Flye. But be sure to keep out of sight. 5. In _March_, _April_, and _September_, and all _VVinter_, when the Air is clear, serene and warm. And after a showre of Rain, which hath only beaten the _Gnats_, and _Flies_ into the _River_, without muddying. The two first mentioned Months with _May_, and part of _June_, are most proper for the _Fly_; _Nine_ in the Morning, and _Three_ a Clock in the Afternoon, is the best time; as likewise, when the _Gnats_ play much in a warm Evening. 6. In a _Cloudy_, and _VVindy_ day, after a _Moon-shine_ clear Night, for the brightness of the Night (through fear) making them abstain from feeding, and the Gloominess of the Day emboldening and rendering them (through Hunger) sharp, and eager upon food, they bite then freely. 7. _Lastly_, At the opening of _Mill-dams_ or _Sluces_, you will find _Trouts_, &c. come forth seeking food, brought down by the Water. We come next to demonstrate the time not proper, _i. e._ 2. _Unseasonable_ Angling in short is, When the Earth is parched, and scorched with Vehement _Heat_, and _Drought_; benummed and frozen with _Cold_, _Frost_, and _Snow_; or refrigerated with Spring _Hoar-Frosts_; or blasted with the sharp, bitter, nipping, _North_, or _East_ Winds: Or when blustring _Boreas_ disorders your well guiding your Tackling; or the _Sheep-Shearers Washings_ glutted the _Fish_, and anticipated your _Bait_; when the withdrawing of your sport, foretells a Storm, and advises you to some shelter; or Lastly, when the night proves Dark, and Cloudy, you need not trouble your self the next day, ’tis to no purpose, _&c._ Thus much shall suffice for the two first Parts I proposed to treat of, _viz._ What we seek after in this Recreation, and Where, and When to find it; I come next to speak of the several _Implements_, and _Tackling_ we ought to be provided with, for the prosecuting the same; and then to our Sport. III. For providing _Stocks_, the best time is the Winter _Solstice_, when the Sap is in the Roots of Trees, and their Leaves gone. It is improper after _January_, the Sap then ascending into the Trunk, and expanding it self over all the Branches. See that your Stocks be _Taper-grown_, and your Tops of the best _Ground-Hazle_, that can be had, smooth, slender, and straight, of an Ell-long, pliant, and bending; and yet of a strength, that a reasonable jerk cannot break it, but it will return to its first straightness; lest otherwise you endanger your Line. Keep them two full years, before you use them; having preserved them from Worm-eating, or Rotting, by thrice a year rubbing and chaffing them well with Butter (if sweet) or Linsed or Sallet-Oyl; and if Bored, Oyl poured into the Holes, and bathed four and twenty houres in it, and then thrown out again, will exceedingly preserve them. But why should I further trouble my self with prescribing any Rules for the ordering the Angle-Rod, since every Cane-shop in _London_ will furnish us at an easy rate, with Rods of Cane, that shall suit with the sport we designe; the usual Objection of their _Colour_ and Stiffness being taken away, the first by covering it with Parchment or thin Leather, dyed as you please; and the other by the length and strength of the Top, being as before. The next thing we come to prepare is the _Line_, which though easy, yet admits of some Rule; wherefore to make it neat, handsome and strong, twist the Hair you make it of _even_, having seen if the Hair be of an equal bigness; then steep your Line in Water, to see if the Hairs shrink, if so, you must twist them over again. The _Colour_ of the Hair is best of _Sorrel_, _White_ and _Grey_; Sorrel for muddy boggy Rivers, and the two last for clear Waters. Nor is the _Pale watry green_ contemptible, dyed thus: Take a pint of strong _Ale_, half a pound of _Soot_, a little of the Juice of _Walnut-Leaves_ and _Allum_; Boyle these together in a Pipkin half an hour, take it off, and when ’tis cold, put in your Hair. In making your Line of Hair mix not Silk; but either all Hair, or all Silk; as likewise distinguish the Line for the Ground Angle, and that for the Fly-Rod, the last must be stronger than the first; in that for the Artificial Fly, making the uppermost Link twenty Hairs long, less in the next, and so less till you come to the Fly. Lastly at each end of your Line make a Loop (called a _Bow_) the one _Larger_, to fasten to, and take it from the top of your Rod, and the other _Lesser_ to hang your Hook-line on. Your _Hook_ comes next, and requires your Care, That it be Long in the shank, something Round in compass, the point straight and even, and bending in the shank. Set on your Hook with strong small Silk, laying your Hair on the inside of the Hook. Your _Flote_ challenges divers wayes of making. Some using _Muscovy_ Duck-quills for still Waters. Others the best sound Cork without flaws or holes, bored through with a hot Iron, and a Quill of a fit proportion put into it; then pared into a pyramidal Form, or in the fashion of a small Peare, to what bigness you please, and ground smooth with a Grindstone or Pumice; this is best for strong Streams. In fine, _To plum the Ground_, get a _Carbine_ Bullet bored through, and in a strong twist hanged on your _Hook_ or Rod. To sharpen your _Hook_, carry a little _Whetstone_. To carry your several Utensils without incommoding your Tackle, have several _Partitions_ of Parchment. And in short the Ingenious Angler will not be unprovided of his _Bob_ and _Palmer_; his _Boxes_ of all sizes for his _Hooks_, _Corks_, _Silk_, _Thread_, _Flies_, _Lead_, &c. His _Linnen_ and _Woollen Bait-Bags_; His splinted _Osier light Pannier_; And lastly his _Landing Hook_, with a Screw at the end to screw it into the socket of a Pole, & stricken into the Fish, to draw it to Land: To which socket, a Hook to cut up the Weeds, and another to pull out Wood, may be fastned. But all those Implements I have described, serve to no purpose, if we do not observe to have the _Agents_ and Effecters of our Pastime in store, I mean proper _Baits_ and Inticements to take your Fish. Which branch themselves into three Kinds. First, The _Life-baits_, which are all kind of _Worms_, _Redworm_, _Maggot_, _Dors_, _Froggs_, _Bobb_, _Brown-Flies_, _Grashoppers_, _Hornets_, _Wasps_, _Bees_, _Snails_, small _Roaches_, _Bleak_, _Gudgeon_, or _Loaches_. Secondly, _Artificial living Baits_, of _Flyes_ of all sorts and shapes, made about your Hooks with Silk and Feathers, at all times seasonable, especially in blustering Weather. Lastly, _Dead Baits_, Pasts of all maings, Wasps dryed or undryed, clotted _Sheeps-blood_, _Cheese_, _Bramble-berries_, _Corn_, _Seeds_, _Cherries_, &c. The two first good in _May_, _June_ and _July_, the two next in _April_; and the last in the _Fall_ of the Leaf. _Of Flies._ Of _Natural_ Flies there are innumerable, and therefore it cannot be expected I can particularize all; but some of their Names I shall nominate, _viz._ The _Dun-Fly_, _Red-Fly_, _May-Fly_, _Tawny-Fly_, _Moor-Fly_, _Shell-Fly_, _Flag-Fly_, _Vine-Fly_, _Cloudy_ or _Blackish-Fly_, _Canker-Flies_, _Bear-Flies_, _Caterpillars_, and thousands more, differing according to the Soiles, Rivers or Plants. _Artificial Flies_, are made by the ingenious Angler, according to Art, in shape, colour and proportion like the Natural Fly, of _Fur_, _Wool_, _Silk_, _Feathers_, &c. To delineate which I must confess my self not so accurate and skilful a Painter, nor can any Pen-drawing illustrate their Various Colours so, as to direct their Artificial Counterfeit; Nature will help him in this by Observation, curiously Flourishing their several Orient and bright Colours, after which they take their names, as before said: And therefore to furnish your self with both Natural and Artificial _Flyes_, repair in the morning to the River, and with a Rod beat the Bushes that hang over the Water, and take your Choice; This is a Rule whereby you may know by their Number what _Fly_ the Fish affect most, and accordingly to use it; taking with you these following Directions. 1. Observe to Angle with the Artificial _Fly_ in Rivers disturbed somewhat by Rain, or in a Cloudy day, the Wind blowing gently: If the Wind be not so high, but you may well guide your Tackle, in plain Deeps is to be found the best Fish, and best Sport: If small Wind breeze, in swift streams is best Angling: Be sure to keep your _Fly_ in perpetual slow motion; and observe that the Weather suit the Colour of your _Fly_, as the light Colour’d in a Clear day, the Darkish in a dark, _&c._ As likewise according to the Waters Complexions, have your Fly suitable. 2. Let your Line be twice as long as your Rod: Keep as far as you can from the Waterside, the Sun on your back; In casting your Fly, let that fall first; your Line not touching the Water. 3. Have a nimble Eye, and active quick Hand to strike presently upon the rising of the Fish, lest finding his mistake he spew out the Hook. 4. In slow Rivers cast your Fly cross them, let it sink a little, draw it back gently, without breaking or circling the Water; let the Fly float with the Current, and you will not fail of excellent Sport. 5. Observe to let the Wings of your _Salmon-Flys_ to be one behind another, whether two or four, and they and the Tail long, and of the finest gaudiest Colours you can choose. _Lastly_, In clear Rivers a small _Fly_ with slender Wings is best, and in muddied Rivers a Fly of a more than Ordinary large Body. Thus much for Flies, I come next to that I called _Dead-Baits_, and shall begin with the several Wayes of making Pastes. _Of Pastes._ 1. Beat in a Mortar the Leg of a young _Coney_ (Vulgarly called the _Almond_) or of a Whelp or Catling, and a quantity of Virgins Wax and _Sheeps_ suet, till they are incorporated, and temper them with clarified _Honey_ into Paste. 2. _Sheeps_ Blood, _Cheese_, fine _Manchet_ and clarified _Honey_ tempered as before. 3. _Sheeps_-Kidney-Suet, _Cheese_, fine Flower, with clarified _Honey_ tempered. 4. _Cherries_, _Sheeps_ Blood, _Saffron_ and fine _Manchet_ made into a Paste. 5. Beat into a Paste; the fattest Old _Cheese_, the strongest _Rennet_ can be got, fine _Wheat-flower_ and _Annis-seed_ Water: If for a _Chub_ you make the Paste, put a little rafty _Bacon_. Lastly, _Mutton_-Kidney Suet, and _Turmerick_ reduced to a fine Powder, the fattest old _Cheese_ and strongest _Rennet_, wrought to a Paste, adding _Turmerick_, till the Paste be of a curious Yellow; and is excellent and approved for _Chevin_. All which Pastes when you use them, that you may have the desired Effects of your Pains infallibly follow, anoint your Bait with this Confection: Take the Oyl of _Aspray_, _Coculus India_, and _Assa Fœtida_ beaten, and mix with it as much Life-_Honey_; then dissolve them in the Oyle of _Polypody_, and keep it in a close Glass for your use. And that your Paste may not wash off your Hook, beat Cotten-Wool or Flax into it. _Of keeping Baits._ For the keeping and preserving all quick Baits, you must keep them separately as they are several, not altogether; and feed them with that they most delight in; as for instance, in short: The _Red-Worm_, must be kept in a bag of Red Cloth, with a handful of chopt _Fennel_, mixt with half so much fresh, black and fertile Mould, will scoure and preserve them: All other Worms, with the Leaves of Trees they are bred on, renewing them often in a day. Only the _Cad-bait_, _Bob_ and _Canker_, &c. must be kept in the same things you find them. The great _White Maggots_, keep them in Sheeps-Tallow, or little bits of a beasts Liver; and to scoure them, hang them warm in a bag of Blanketing with Sand. The _Frogs and Grasshoppers_, in wet Moss and long Grass, frequently moistned; and when used, the Legs of the first, and the Wings of the other must be cut close off. The _Flies_ use them as you take them. Only the _Wasps_, _Hornets_ and _Humble-Bee_, must be dryed in an Oven, their heads dipt in Sheeps blood, and dryed again, may be kept in a Box for use. Thus much shall suffice for the Anglers Tools and Baits, I shall now lead him to his Sport, having first Clad himself with all inward and outward Ornaments. _Inward_, In having his Mind cloathed with these Qualifications, _viz._ 1. _Learning_, throughly to understand his Art, and skilfully argue and dispute its Excellency, _&c._ 2. _Faith_, to enjoy the Benefit of his Expectation. 3. _Love_, to his Pleasure, not thinking it irksom and tedious, to his Neighbour, in not offending him. 4. _Patience_, In not excruciating himself for Accidents of Losses, _&c._ 5. _Humility_, in wetting himself, lying down, kneeling, _&c._ as Occasion requires. 6. _Liberality_, in dispencing to others the Fruits of his Labour. _Outward_, In cloathing his body with plain and comely Apparel, of sad dark Colours, as sad grayes, tawny, purple, hair or Musk Colour. Warm and well lined, to prevent the Evils which the Coldness of the Air, or Moistness of the Water may produce. And now thus equipt let us walk to the Rivers side, there give me leave to direct you in the _Measures_ you must take and observe, for the obtaining the End of what all our forementioned Preparations aime at; I mean the Catching those sundry kinds of Fish I enumerated at the begining of this Discourse; and observing that first method, I shall Alphabetically describe, what Baits are most Proper for taking them, and How to use them. To begin then with the _Barbel_. The best time for Angling for this Fish is at the latter end of _May_, _June_, _July_, and beginning of _August_, in his Haunts aforementioned; and the best Bait (omiting others) is the well-scoured _Lob-Worm_ (being of a curious cleanly Palate as well as shape) or Cheese steept an hour or two in clarified Honey. He is a subtile Fish, extraordinary strong, and dogged to be dealt with, and therefore be sure to have your Rod and Line strong and long, or you may endanger to break it. The _Breame_ is next in order; The most seasonable time to Angle for him is from St. _James_ tide till _Bartholomew_ tide. He spawneth in _June_ or begining of _July_; is easily taken, as falling on his side after one or two gentle turnes, and so drawn easily to Land. The best Bait for him is that (most delightful to him) _Red-Worme_ (found in Commons & _Chalky_ Grounds after Rain) at the root of a great _Dock_, wrapt up in a round Clue. He loves also Paste, Flag-Wormes, Wasps, Green-Flies, Butter-Flies, and a Grass-hopper, without Leggs. Bait your Ground the night before with gross-ground Malt, boiled and strained, and then in the morning with the Red-Worm, bait your Hook, and plumbing your Ground within half an Inch, Fish. The _Bleak_, an eager Fish, is caught with all sorts of Worms bred on Trees or Herbs, also with _Flies_, _Cad-bait_, _Bobs_, _Paste_, _Sheeps-Blood_, _White Snails_, _Wasps_, _Gnats_, &c. In a warm clear day the small Flye at the rim of the Water is best; In a Cloudy day, _Gentles_ or _Cadis_ two foot under the Water. The _Bull-head_ or _Millers-thumb_, being Childrens Recreation, I shall speak little of, only being serviceable for Baits, I shall only say he is easily taken with a small Worm, being lazie and simple, and will swallow any thing; and the _Minnow_, _Loach_, and _Bansticle_ being of the same diet, I place here too. The _Chevin_, loveth all sorts of _Worms_, _Flies_, _Cheese_, _Grain_, and _Black Worms_, their Bellies being slit, that the White may be seen: And very much delighteth in the _Pith_ of an _Oxes back_, the tough outward skin being carefully taken off, without breaking the inward tender skin. In the Morning early angle for _Chevin_, with a _Snail_; in the heat of the day, with some other Bait; in the afternoon with the _Fly_; the great _Moth_, with a great Head, yellow Body, and whiteish Wings, usually found in _Gardens_, about the Evening: The larger the _Chevin_, the sooner taken; loving his Bait large, and variety on a Hook. The _Char_ is a _Lancashire Fish_, found in a _Mere_, called _Winander-Mere_ in that _County_, the largest in _England_; and being to be found no where else, I shall not lead my _London_ Angler thither to teach him to take it. The _Chub_, called by some a _Cheven_, by others a _Villain_, is a _Fish_ of no rare Meat; however, is good for a young Angler, and is thus to be taken: Bait your hook with a _Grass-hopper_, find the Hole where he lies, accompanied in a hot day, with twenty or more, floating almost on the very superficies of the Water; choose which you think best, and fairest, and drop your Hook some two foot before him, and he will bite at it greedily, and cannot break hold with his _Leather Mouth_; let him play and tire, lest you break your Line. If you cannot get a _Grass-hopper_, then any _Worm_, or _Fly_ you will. In cold Weather, fish for him near the Bottom, and the _Humble-Bee_ is the best Bait. Some appropriate Baits according to the Month, but I shall Omit that; The _Chub_ (being best and in his Prime in the Winter, and then excellent meat Baked) a Paste made of _Cheese_, and _Turpentine_, is the only Bait to take him. The _Carp_ is subtle, and full of Policy, will never bite in Cold Weather, but in Hot you cannot be too Early, or too Late. In _March_, he seldome refuseth the _Red-Worme_, in _June_ the _Cadice_, and the three next _Months_ the _Grass-hopper_: Pastes that are sweet, of which I have spoken before, are very delightfull to _Carps_: And especially; if you Bait your ground two or three dayes before you angle, with _Pellets_ of course Paste, _Chickens-guts_, _Garbage_, &c. _Gentles_ anointed, and a Piece of _Scarlet_ dipt in _Honey_, put them on the Hook, is an approved way. The _Dace_, _Dare_, _Rudd_, and _Roach_, being much of a kind, and feeding, I shall put together, and are easily taken with small _Worms_, _Bobs_, _Cadbaits_, _Flies_, _sheeps-Blood_, all sorts of _Worms_, bred on _Trees_ or _Herbs_, _Paste_, _Wasps_, _Gnats_, _Lipberries_, &c. The Heads of the _Wasps_, being dipt in Blood, is good for _Dace_, and _Dare_; as is likewise the _Ant-flie_. The _Eel_, takes great _Red-worms_, _Beef_, _Wasps_, _Guts_ of _Fowl_, or _Fish_, _Menow_, small _Roaches_ are good Bait for Night Hooks; the Hooks being in the Mouth of the _Fish_. Now because this is very delightfull to most, I shall prescribe three wayes of taking them, as are most full of Pleasure. The first way is called, _Sniggling_, or _Broggling_ for _Eels_, thus: Take a strong Line and Hook, baited with a _Lob_, or _Garden-Worm_, and observing where _Eels_ lurk in the day time, with a stick forked at the Top, gently put your Bait into the Hole, and if there be any _Eels_ there, you will not fail of a Bite, of as large _Eels_ as can be had, but pull not too hard lest you spoyl all. The second is called _Bobbing_, which is thus done: Take some large well scowred _Lobs_, and with a Needle, run some strong twisted _Silk_ through them, from end to end, so many as are enough to wrap about a Board near a dozen times; tye them fast with the two ends of the _Silk_ to hang in so many Hanks; then fasten all to a strong Cord, and a handfull above the _Worms_ fasten a _Plumb_ of three quarters of a pound, and your Cord to a strong _Pole_, and in muddy Waters, you may _Fish_, and find the _Eels_ tug lustily, and when you think they have swallowed them, draw up your Line, and a-shore with them. _Lastly_, the _Eel-Spear_ made with four Teeth, jagged on both sides, stricken into the Mud, on the bottom of a River, and if you chance to strike where they lye, you infallibly take. There is likewise an assured way of taking _Eels_, approved to excel any other, thus done: Take some Bottles of _Hay_, mixt with green _Osiers_, or _Willows_, Bait them with _Sheeps Guts_, or other _Beasts Garbage_, sink them down in the middle, to the bottom of your _Pond_, or by the _Bank-sides_, having fastned a Cord to the Bottles, that you may twitch them up at your pleasure, and all the best _Eels_ will resort to them, and you may take abundance. The _Flounder_, _Shad_, _Thwait_, _Suant_, and _Mullet_, are taken with _Red-Worms_ of all sorts, _Wasps_, and _Gentles_. The _Grayling_ is next; In _Angling_ for which, you must head your Hook upon the shank, with a very slender and narrow plate of _Lead_, that the Bait (a large _Grass-hopper_) may the more easily come over it; and at the point put a _Cadbait_, and keep the Bait in continual motion; not forgetting to pull off the _Grass-hoppers_ Wings. The _Gudgeon_, takes the smallest _Red-Worm_, _Wasps_, _Gentles_, and _Cadbaits_. When you _Fish_ for him, stir up the _Sand_ or _Gravel_ with a _Pole_, which will make them gather thither, and bite more eagerly. The _Guiniad_, I shall remit speaking to, only mentioning it in course, being no where found, but in a place called, _Pemble-Mere_, in which place they abound, as the River _Dee_ does with _Salmon_. The _Pope_, or _Ruff_, is excellent for a young _Angler_, bites greedily, and quantities may be taken, by Baiting the Ground with _Earth_, and your Hook with small Red _Worms_. The _Pike_, loveth all sorts of Baits (unless the _Fly_) _Gudgeon_, _Dace_, _Roaches_ and _Loaches_; and young _Frogs_ in _Summer_ time, of which the yellowest is best. The _Pearch_, taketh all sorts of _Earth-worms_, especially the _Lob-worm_, and _Brandling_, well scowred, _Bobs_, _Oak-worms_, _Dors_, _Gentles_, _Cole-wort-worms_, _Wasps_, _Cadbaits_, and _Menow_, or a little _Frog_, the Hook being fastned through the skin of his Leg, towards the upper part of it. Be sure you give the _Pearch_ time enough to pouch his Bait, before you strike. The _Salmon_, is taken best with _Lob-worms_, scented with the Oyl of _Ivy-berries_, or the Oyl of _Polypody_ of the _Oak_ mixt with _Turpentine_: Or the well-scowred _Garden-worm_, is an excellent Bait: The _Salmon_ bites best in _May_, _June_, and _July_, at three a _Clock_ in the Afternoon, if the Water be clear, a little Wind stirring, especially near the _Sea_. The _Tench_, is a great lover of large Red _Worms_, first dipt in _Tar_. As also all sorts of Paste, made up with strong scented _Oyls_, or _Tar_, or a Paste made up of Brown _Bread_, and _Honey_. He will bite too at a _Cad-worm_, _Lob-worm_, _Flag-worm_, green _Gentle_, _Cadbait_, _Marsh-worm_, or soft boil’d _Bread-grain_. The _Torcoth_, being before mentioned, I only let you know, that he is only found, in the Pool _Linperis_ in _Carnarvan-shire_; and leave you to the _Welch-mens_ description, both of him and his _Bait_. The _Trout_, is fattest, and in his prime in _May_, and is caught with all sorts of _Worms_, especially _Brandlings_, commonly found in an Old _Dung-hill_, _Cow-dung_, _Hors-dung_, or _Tanners-bark_: Also with _Flies_, Natural and Artificial, with young _Frogs_, _Menow_, _Marsh_, _Dock_ or _Flag-worms_; all sorts of _Cad-bait_, _Dors_, _Bobs_, _Palmers_, _Gentles_, _Wasps_, _Hornets_, &c. and with the _Catterpiller_, used according to the Rule before prescribed for the _Grayling_. _Lastly_, The _Umber_, endeth our _Alphabet_, and _Discourse_ of _Fishing_ too, and gives me occasion to add no more, but that he is taken as the _Trout_, just now mentioned; And therefore now to your Sport: To assist your well effecting which, I have but this to add; Cast into your Haunts where you use to _Fish_, once in four or five dayes, soft boyled _Corn_ (or oftner for _Carp_, and _Tench_) Also _Garbage_, _Beasts Livers_, chopt _Worms_, _Grains_ steept in _Blood_, to attract them to the place; and to keep them together, throw in half a handfull of _Grains_ of ground _Malt_: But in a stream, cast it above your Hook, that floating towards you may draw the Fish thither. Before I conclude, I was afraid this discourse would have been imperfect, had not something been spoken of _Fish-ponds_, their Ordering, and Improving, that the private Gentleman may not be destitute of some appropriated place to himself, wherein he may Recreate himself in this excellent Pastime; great _Rivers_ belonging either to the King, or to Lords of Mannours, whose Authorities and Jurisdictions must be kept inviolate, and excludes our Intrusion there. _Of Fish-ponds._ When you have a desire to dig a _Fish-pond_, coveting the several Advantages that do thence accrue to you, you must first of all consult, what _Grounds_ are most fit and proper to be cast into a Pond, _viz_, Those which are _Marrishy_; or _Boggy_; or full of _Springs_, unfit for _Grazing_, or to be put to any profitable use besides. Of these the last, full of _springs_, will yield the best Water; that which is _Marshy_ will feed Fish; and that which is _Boggy_ is best for a Defence against Thieves. Thus being furnished with a piece of Wast Ground, I now mentioned, let us now to work; And first draw by small Trenches all the Springs or moist Veines into one place, and so drain the rest of the Ground; then mark out the Head of your Pond, and make it the highest part of the ground in the Eye, tho it be the lowest in the true Level: Cut the Trench of your _Floodgate_ so, that when the VVater is let out, it may have a swift Fall: On each side of which Trench drive in great Stakes of _Oak_, _Ash_ or (which is best) _Elme_, six foot long, and six Inches square; place these in Rowes four foot distance one from another, as broad and wide from the _Floodgate_ as you intend the Head of your Pond shall go: Now give us the Spade _Tom_, and fetch us the Pick-ax _Jack_, and to digging of our Pond; Dig it as big and large a Compass as the Ground will permit, throw your Earth amongst the said stakes, and ram it between them, hard and firm, till you have covered the stakes: Drive in as many new ones more besides the heads of the first stakes, and ram more Earth above them too: Do thus with stakes above stakes till the head-sides be of a convenient Height: Taking care, that the inside of your Banks be smooth, even, hard and strong, that you may not fear the wearing of the Earth off the stakes by any Current of the Water. Having thus digged about _eight foot deep_, that so it may carry about _six foot_ VVater, pave all the _bottom_ and the Banks of the Pond with large Sods of _Flot-Grass_, laying them very close together, pin them down fast with small stakes and windings: This Grass is a great Feeder of Fish, and grows naturally under VVater. Stake down to the bottom of one side of the Pond divers Bavens and Brush-VVood-Faggots, into which the Fish may cast their spawn, and preserve it: In another place lay Sods upon Sods, the grass sides together to nourish and breed _Eels_. The Pond being thus made, let in the Water, and now observe to store it thus: Put your _Carp_, _Breame_ and _Tench_ by themselves: _Pike_, _Pearch_, _Eel_ and _Tench_ (the Fishes Physician) by themselves; & for Food of the greater Fishes, as well as Meat for your greater Dishes, put good store of _Roach_, _Dace_, _Loach_ and _Menow_; and Lastly to every one _Melter_ put three _Spawners_, and in three Years the Increase will be great; and in five Years with difficulty destroyed. At the end of three Years _Sue your Pond_; which you must ever continue so to do, for that the _Roach_, &c. will increase in such abundance, that eating up the sweetest food, will make your other Fish, as _Carps_, &c. be lean and hunger-starved: And therefore every Year view your Pond, and observe if any such Fry appears; and use your Discretion. And because the _Carp_ is a Fish of a general Acceptation, and is of a _bon goust_ almost in every mans palate; and being by the aforesaid little Devourers and Multiplyers, very often Deceived in your expectation of a fat _Carp_, large and sweet; I shall insert here an excellent VVay of making _Carps_ grow to an extraordinary Bigness in a Pond. _To make _Carps_ grow large, &c._ About the Month of _April_, when you perceive your Pond grow low in VVater, rake all the sides where the VVater is fallen away with an Iron Rake, and sow _Hay-seeds_ there, and rake it well; and at the Latter end of Summer you shall have good store of Grass: The _Winter_ being come the VVater will encrease and over-top all the Grass, and there being VVater enough to carry them, the _Carps_ will resort to the seeds, and feed briskly and grow as fat as _Hoggs_: Thus do every _Summer_, till you sue your pond, and no River _Carp_ can surpass them. Thus much of _Fishing_ and _Fish-Ponds_. Of Shooting. The Use of the Bow is of so great Antiquity, and of so important a Consequence for a _defensive_ and _offensive Armes_, that I could not but a little consider, how needful the true knowledge of its Use was esteemed of Old, and how _little it is accounted_ now. It is uncertain, as well as (almost) unknown, who was the First Inventor of the Bow; but if we examine the _Probability_ there may be of its being derived from the Tyranical Government of _Nimrod_, that so _Mighty Hunter before the Lord_, we may _Conjecture_ him to be the first Inventor of the Bow: For as he is called the _First Founder_ of a _Monarchick Government_, by reducing and subduing a disordered People under the Government of himself; so was he likewise esteemed a _Mighty Hunter_ in another respect, for that he _Subdued likewise the Beasts of the Field_; as is observed of him and his Character, by sundry Commentators on him and his Family. So that in the whole we may suppose him to be the Inventor, or first Finder out of the Bow, as a Weapon of an infallible Execution and mortal Efficacy on that account. Nor can I find any mention made of the _Bow_ thro the whole Hystory of _Genesis_ from _Nimrod_ to _Esau_, they both being characterized with those Epithets of _Mighty and Cunning Hunters_, _Men of the Field_; who very well understood the Use of the Bow, as well for their _Profit_ as _Pleasure_; the last of which is particularly hinted in the commands of _Isaac_ to _Esau_, that with his _Quiver_ and his _Bow_, he should Hunt and take that only _Seasonable_ Dish, which might procure and entaile a _Blessing_ on him and his Posterity. Nay, that Holy Patriarch _Jacob_ himself, in his last Will and Testament to his Illustrious Family, bequeaths a _singular Portion_ to his beloved _Joseph_, which the _strength of his Bow_ had intitled him to. _Gen._ 48. 22. Nor are we to doubt in what Estimation it was held to the Reign of _David_ King of _Israel_, who thought it the most _Necessary Qualification_ of his Subjects, to be very well versed in the Use of the _Bow_. The _Bow_ which was the Famous _Signal_ between his beloved _Jonathan_ and himself, and made the private _Testimonial_ of the undeserv’d Fury of his Maliciously & Enviously incensed _Father Saul_: By reason of whose eminent Skill, in the expert use of it, he chants forth his _Mournful Elegy_, The _Bow of _Jonathan_ returned not empty, from the Blood of the slain_, &c. Nay further so useful (no doubt) he thought the Knowledge of the Bow was, and of so necessary a Consequence for a Defensive as well as Offensive Armes, that it is observable he issued out a particular Edict or Proclamation, commanding the _general Learning its use throughout_ Judah. And the Use of it continued and still does in the East, as the only Weapon they are skilled in. Dr. _Heylin_ in his Cosmographical Description of the World, tells us, That the _Czeremissi_, a People living in great Forrests, without Houses, feeding on Honey & the Flesh of Wild Beasts & Clothed with their Skins, under the Empire of the _Czar_ of _Russia_, are such excellent Archers, and so light of Foot, that they carry their Bows continually in their hands, and practise their Children so timely in it, that (after such an age) till they can hit a _White_ that is set before them, they give them nothing to eat. Further; it is recorded of the _Parthians_ (and indeed all the _Persians_ too) that their greatest Fame consisted in their skilful handling their _Bows_ and _Arrows_, & were deservedly reckon’d the best Archers in the World, having the Art of _Shooting backwards_, and making their _Retreat_ and _Flight_ more pernicious and terrible, than their _Charge_ and _Onset_. So that when _Marcus Crassus_ in his expedition against them, was told by an _Astrologer_, that having found an ill Aspect in _Scorpio_, he presaged his Enterprize would prove unsuccesseful, _Tush Man_ (quoth he) _I fear not Scorpio, but Sagittarius_. And to descend to our own Countrymen the English, the frequent Victories they obtained over the _French_ formerly, rendred them as famous and able Bow-men (next the _Parthians_) as were in the World. But since the Ingenious _Franciscan_ Fryer (_Bertholdus Swart_) appeared in _Germany_, his _Sulphureous_ Brain has quite (or almost) _blown_ up the Reputation of the Bow, and all other Ancient Devices and Engines of War, by his _Accidental Invention_ of that Fatal Instrument the _Gun_, which he first communicated to the _Venetians_, _Anno 1330_. Who gave by these (then so called) _Bombards_, a notable discomfiture to the _Genoys_; and was next made use of by the Inhabitants of the _Baltick Sea_; And at the Siege of _Callice_ _Anno 1347._ used by the _English_; who taught it the _Mounsieur Frenchman_, and he gratified him with the death of the Famous Leader, _Thomas Mountacute_ Earl of _Salisbury_, shot at the Siege of _Orleance_, _Anno. 1425_. After which _Spain_ learnt it, and the _Jews_ and _Moors_ from thence taught the _Turk_; and from the first Invention of _large_ and _unweildy_, they were made fit for _Walls_ and _Hands_; and in fine _is a less expensive way of shedding blood than that of Archery is_. Thus you see how Ancient the Use of the _Bow_ is, and how lately its Disuse began (I mean in relation to the Common-Wealth, as a defensive, or offensive Weapon) and how great the Ancient Fame of our _English_ was in the knowledge of it: However the Glory of it is somewhat still preserved (though in a Pastime) by the Honourable City of _London_, whose _Lord Mayor_ annually appears to see a _Prize_ performed by _Shooting_ with a Pound _Arrow_: And therefore all I have to say more, is, That it is deservedly placed amongst my Recreations, having _Metamorphosed_ its Use, and become a Healthful Conserver, instead of Destroyer of mens Bodies. And is vulgarly distinguished into two sorts, the _Long-bow_, and the _Cross_ or _Crow-Bow_. I shall begin first with the _Long-bow_, whose Use is (now) thus to be understood. That it conduces much to the Health of our Body, disperses our stagnated Blood, extends our contracted Limbs, and renders the Members of our Bodies plyant, and flexible; and for the better obtaining these Effects, the following Rules are to be Observed. Before the _Archer_ goes to his Sport (to follow the Method of this Treatise) he must first provide himself with necessary _Accoutrements_, _viz_, The _Bow_ which claimes his first Care, must be the best (_as best is best Cheap_) of _Spanish_ or _English Yew_, (the _VVithen_, or _Elme_ being the worst:) Next his _Shaft_, which must be of _Birch_, _Sugar-Chest_, or _Brazeel_, with _Gray_, or _White Feathers_. Thus equipt, to the Field, and here we are to understand three sorts of _Marks_, _viz_, The _But_, which is a _Mark_ that is level, and requires a strong _Arrow_ with a broad Feather: The _Prick_, a _Mark_ of some compass, of a certain distance, requires an _Arrow_ that is strong, and nimble, with a middle Feather: The _Rover_, is an uncertain _Mark_, and Proportionable to the distance, suit your _Arrows_. But before you Shoot, hold a little, and hearken to your Charge. _First_, The _Archer_ must have a good _Eye_, to see and discern his _Mark_; attended with a _Knowing Judgment_, to Understand the distance of Ground, and in what compass his _Arrow_ must Fly, and to take the true Advantage of a Side-Wind; and a Dexterity to give his _Shaft_ a sharp strong and sudden Loose, and without hanging on the string, to draw his _Arrow_ close to the Head, and in an instant deliver it. _Secondly_, He must observe a _Decorum_ in his standing Posture, that his Body be fair, comely, and upright; his left Foot a convenient stride before his right, with both his Hams stiff, his left Arm holding his _Bow_ in the midst, stretch’d out streight; and with his three Fore-Fingers and Thumb of his right-hand, draw the string to his right Ear, the Notch of his _Arrow_ resting between his fore and long Fingers of his Right-Hand, and the _Steel_ of his _Arrow_ below the _Feathers_ upon the middle _Knuckle_ of his fore-finger, on his Left-Hand, drawing it up close, as abovesaid. The _Cross-Bow_ (as I said in the Introduction to this _Treatise_) is of equal Benefit and Pleasure with the _Long-Bow_, when through an imbecillity in the _Arm_ or _Back_, that will not be a suitable Recreation: This _Bow_ must be made of the same Wood with the other, for _Gafel_ carried upon a string, and the other end being placed in a Rest, furnish your self with strong and heavy _Arrows_, suitable to your _Bows_ strength, and all the foregoing _Marks_, may afford you an equal Delight with the Former; but especially for Persons that have the unhappiness of looking asquint, it is an excellent Disposer of the sight, to a direct Line, and helps that _Watermans_ quality of _Looking one way, and Rowing another_. Thus much shall suffice for _Shooting_. Of Bowling, This is a Recreation of an Ancient Institution, the _Lydians_ being thought to have been the first Inventors of _Sphæromachia_, which signifies _Bowling_, as well as _Tennis-Playing_; besides these they instituted several other Games, as the _Dice_, _Tables_, _Cards_, &c. Necessity, and Hunger enforcing them to that Ingenuity, as _Persius_ well observes, _Artis Magister, Ingenijque largitor Venter_: For that Country being Oppressed with a great Dearth and Famine, in the time of _Atis_, one of the Progenitors of _Omphale_, they Devised these Games, that every second day playing at them, they might beguile their Hungry Bellies, and drive away the Tediousness of the Famine. And indeed, according to its Original institution, of infinite use for the diverting Melancholly, for Exercise of the Body, by runing and stirring in this Game, for helping likewise sundry Bodily Infirmities, as the _Stone_, _Gravel_, _Reins_, &c. For which aforesaid ends several Pious, Learned and Sober Persons have sometimes made up the Company of a _Bowling-Green_ (tho I must confess rarely to be seen in those common _Bowling-Allies_ and _Bares_, which too usually are pestered with _Damming-Rooks_, _Cunning Betters_, _Crafty Matchers_, and base _Booty-Players_:) Herein we may see the World moralized, or emblematically described, where most are short, over, wide or wrong-Byassed, and few justle in to the Mistress _Fortune_: On one side we find _Heraclitus_ and his Followers fret, vex, rail, swear and cavil at every thing; on the other side _Democritus_, and his Company rejoice and laugh, as if they were created for that purpose. On one side you may see the _Mimick_ screwing and twisting his Body into several Postures, which he perswades himself adds either to the Swiftness or Slowness of his Bowl; On the other side the senseless _Orator_, with his perswasive Intreaties of _Rub, O Rub a little_; Or, _Flee, Flee_, and the like, to hasten or retard the Speed of his Bowl; when if the stupid Bowl lend a deaf Ear to his Perswasions, then he _belyes_ his Disobedience, by crying _Short, Short, O Short_, when tis gone ten yards over; and when tis bowled short of the _Jack_ six yards, he cryes, _Gone a Mile, a Mile, a Mile_, &c. But not to detain you any longer in characterizing this excellent sport: (_Excellent_ I mean if rightly used) I shall before I lead you into the _Green_ or _Bare_, instruct you in some Rules, how to choose your _Bowls_. The first and greatest Cunning to be observed in _Bowling_, is the right _chusing your Bowl_, which must be suitable to the Grounds you design to run on, thus: For _close Alleys_, your best Choice is the _Flat Bowl_: 2. For _open Grounds_ of Advantage, the _Round-Byassed-Bowl_; 3. For _Green Swarths_, that are plain and level, the Bowl that is _Round as a Ball_. The next thing requires your Care is, _The chusing out your Ground_, and preventing the Windings, Hangings, and many turning _Advantages_ of the same, whether it be in open wide places, as _Bares_ and _Bowling-Greens_, or in close _Bowling-Alleys_. Lastly, Have your _Judgment_ about you to observe and distinguish the _Risings_, _Fallings_ and _Advantages_ of the Places where you Bowl: Have your _Wits_ about you to avoid being rookt of your Money: And have your Understanding about you, to know your best Time and Opportunity for this Recreation; and finally a studious Care of your Words and Passions, and then _Bowl_ away, and you may deserve, _Well have you Bowled indeed_. But methinks I cannot conclude here, without admiring how aptly a Bowling-Green is by the Divine _Quarles_ characterized, in the following Verses, thus. _Brave pastime, _Readers_, to consume that Day, Which without Pastime flies too swift away! See how they Labour, as if Day and Night Were both too short to serve their loose Delight? See how their curved _Bodies_ wreath, and skrue Such Antick shapes as _Proteus_ never knew: One rapps an Oath, another deals a Curse, He never better bowl’d, this never worse; One rubs his itchless Elbow, shruggs and laughs, The t’other bends his beetle-brows, and chafes; Sometimes they whoop, sometimes the _Stygian_ Cryes, Send their black _Santo’s_ to the blushing Skies: Thus mingling Humours in a mad Confusion They make bad Premisses and worse Conclusion._ Thus much for _Bowling_. Of Tennis. This Recreation is of the same Date for its _Antiquity_ of Invention with _Bowling_, and for the _Violence_ of its Exercise to be preferred before it. This sport indeed is of so universal an Acceptance, that Majesty it self is pleased to design it its Recommendation, by tracking its laborious steps; and _Princes_ and _Lords_ admire it too for the most proper Recreation, to suit with _Innocence_, and _true Nobility_. Here the body is briskly exercised more than ordinary, and inured in _Agility_ and _Nimbleness_; this renders the Limbs flexible and mettlesom, and adapts them for the most Vigorous Enterprize: It makes the languid and slothful, _brisk_ and _sprightful_; and rejects _Effeminacy_ and _Delicacy_, as contemptible and unworthy so Royal and Noble a Recreation: And so General indeed is the Estimation this Exercise of _Tennis_ amongst most meets with, that it is reckoned one of the most absolute Qualifications of a well-bred Gentleman, throughly to understand this famous Game. But why should we wonder at the general Love Gentlemen have for this Recreation, since it must be acknowledged, it challengeth as deserving a place in the Catalogue of violent Exercises, as any that goes before it in this Treatise; indeed it may be well rankt among those great Excellencies of Exercise which rendered the _Lacedemonians_, Famous to all Posterity for instructing their young Gentlemen and Noblemen in: Nay for ought I know it is a _derivative Vertue_ which descended to the true _English_ Gentleman, from that so excellent Method of Education used amongst the Warlike Nation the _Gothes_: Who (as _Olaus Magnus_ informes us) amongst the greatest Severities, as _Beatings_ and _Wounds_, _Change of Heat into sudden Cold_, _lying_ (not on _Downe_ but) upon _Boards_, _coursely clad_, and _Feeding_ on _Ordinary_, but strong _Food_, used themselves to the most tedious, wearisome and Violent Exercises, as _Riding_, _Darting_, _Shooting_, &c. _Wearing heavy Armes_, _Swimming on Horse-Back and in Armour_; And had they been acquainted with this Exercise of _Tennis_, would not have omitted that neither: But I shall not enlarge any further on its _Encomium_, its being the Pastime of the most knowing and greatest men, shall stop any longer _Eulogies_ my Pen can make on its Worth and Excellence. All I have to say is, I am heartily sorry, there are no _Rules_ which fall within the Sphere of _Demonstration_, to be laid down for my Readers use, for the right prosecuting this Noble Game: Practice and Experience alone must be his Information and Direction, and not any Writing may be communicated to him: Only let me say this. _Tennis_ and _Baloon_ are Sports which are play’d almost with the same Instruments; and therefore may be under one and the same Head: The first is a pastime, used in close or open Courts, by striking a little _Round Ball_ to and fro, either with the _Palmes_ of the hands (and then is called _Pila palmaria_ in Latin) or else a _Racket_, made for the purpose, round with Net or Cat-gut, with a Handle: The other a strong and moving Sport in the Open Fields with a great Ball of a double Leather filled with Wind, and so driven to and fro with the strength of a Mans Arm, armed in a Brace of Wood: And thus much shall suffice to speak of the _Baloon_ and _Tennis_; only let me desire you, let not this or any other Pastime disturb your Minds; divert you from the diligent and careful Prosecution of your own lawful Business; or invite you to throw away your Time and Money too lavishly and idley; nor engage you in any Passion; that so you may not offend God, dislike your _Neighbour_, nor incomode your _Self_ and _Family_ in your Well-being and Felicity; and then you may recreate your self without Fear, and in this Recreation observe the ensuing Morality of The Tennis-Court. _When as the Hand _at Tennis_ Playes, And Men to Gaming fall, _Love_ is the _Court_, _Hope_ is the _House_, And _Favour_ serves the _Ball_._ _This _Ball_ it self is _due Desert_, The _Line_ that measure showes Is _Reason_, whereon _Judgment_ looks Where Players win and lose._ _The _Tutties_ are _Deceitful Shifts_, The _Stoppers_, _Jealousy_, Which hath Sir _Argus_ hundred Eyes, Wherewith to watch and pry._ _The _Fault_ whereon _Fifteen is lost_, Is _Want of Wit and Sense_, And he that brings the _Racket_ in Is _Double Diligence_._ _But now the _Racket_ is _Free-Will_, Which makes the _Ball_ rebound, And noble _Beauty_ is the _Choice_, And of each Game the _Ground_._ _Then _Racket_ strikes the _Ball_ away, And there is _Over-sight_, A _Bandy_ ho! the People cry, And so the _Ball_ takes flight._ _Now at the length _Good-liking_ proves _Content_ to be their _Gain_: Thus in the _Tennis-Court_, _Love is A Pleasure mixt with Pain_._ Of Ringing. Since this Recreation of _Ringing_ is become so highly esteemed, for its excellent _Harmony of Musick_ it affords the _Ear_, for its _Mathematical Invention_ delighting the _Mind_, and for the _Violence of its Exercise_ bringing Health to the _Body_, causing it to transpire plentifully, and by Sweats dissipate and expel those Fuliginous thick _Vapours_, which _Idleness_, _Effeminacy_ and _Delicacy_ subject men to; I say for these and sundry other Reasons, I was induced to bring this of _Ringing_ into the Company of _Exercises_ in this Treatise, that I might as well recreate you with some health-conducing Pleasure at _home_, as I have carryed you _abroad_, and there endeavoured to please you in what Pastime your Inclinations may most peculiarly select. Whosoever would then become an accurate Master of this excellent Art and Pleasure, and is very desirous to be esteemed an Elaborate and Ingenious _Ringer_, and be enrolled amongst that Honoured _Society_ of +Colledge Youths+; I must beg Leave to instruct him before he enters the _Bell-free_, in these ensuing short Rules, which he must strictly observe. _viz._ 1. That as all _Musick_ consists in these six plain _Notes_, _La Sol Fa Mi Re Ut_; so in _Ringing_, a Peal of Bells is Tuned according to these Principles of Musick: For as each _Bell takes its Denomination from the Note it Sounds_, by its being flatter or deeper, as, _First_, or Treble, _Second_, _Third_, _Fourth_, &c. as they are in number to _Ten_ or _Twelve_ Bells, the Last being called the _Tennor_; So must they successively strike one after another both _Fore-stroke_ and _Back-stroke_, in a due Musical Time or Equidistance, to render their Harmony the more pleasant, and to make the Young Practitioner the better informed to observe the _Life of Musick_, and indeed of true Ringing, _Time_; and therefore is called, _Round-Ringing_. 2. As in Musick, so in Ringing there are _three Concords_, so called from their Melodious Harmony and Agreement, which Principally are these; _Thirds_, _viz._ 1 3, 2 4. _&c._ _Fifths_ 1 5, 2 6 _&c._ _Eights_ 1 8, 2 9, 3 10 &c. and these are the more pleasant according to the Number of Bells they are struck on, and as they are struck, whether seperately or mutually. From hence _Changes_ are made, which is only a Changing place of one _Note_ with another, so variously, as Musick may be heard a thousand wayes of Harmony; which being so obvious to common Observation, I shall not go about to demonstrate; for that if two may be varied two wayes, surely by the _Rule of Multiplication_, a Man may easily learn how many times 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 12 Bells Notes may be varied, which will run almost _ad infinitum_. 3. For the better observing the Ringing of _Changes_ or _Rounds_, these three things are to be noted. 1. _The Raising true in Peal._ 2. _Ringing at a low Compass_; And 3. _Ceasing in true Peal_; All which three are the most essential Parts to render a Practitioner _Excellent_. 1. For _Raising a Peal of Bells true_, the modern & best Practice recommends the _swiftest and quickest possible_, every one taking Assistance to raise his Bell, as its going requires: The _lesser_ Bells as _Treble_, _&c._ being by main strength _held down_ in their first Sway (or pull) to get time for the striking of the rest of Larger Compass; and so continued to be strong pulled till Frame-high, and then may be slackned: The _Bigger_, as _Tenor_, &c. must be _pincht_ or checkt over head, that the Notes may be heard to strike roundly and hansomely. Observe that all the Notes strike round at one Pull: I do not mean the First; but ’tis according to the Bigness and Weightiness of your Bells: However in raising a Peal, do not let one _Bell_ strike before the rest, or miss when the rest do; this is contrary to the Strict Rules of _true Ringing_: And this is called _Round-Ringing_. Now if you design to raise a Peal of Bells for _Changes_, you ought to raise them to a Set-Pull, as the most proper for commanding the Notes, and he who is not well skilled to manage his Bell at a _Set-Pull_, will be apt to drop or overturn it, be in a Wood, and fruitlessly toil and moil himself. Therefore in practising the Setting of a Bell, cast your Eye about the other Bell-Ropes, during your managing your own, that you may accustome your selfe to manage it according to the _Change_. 2. For _Ringing at a Low Compass_, is thus observed: By keeping a due _punctum_ or beat of Time, in the successive striking one after another of every Bell; the _best Ringer_ being set to the _Treble_, that may guide and direct the rest of the Notes in their due _Measure_. 3. For _Ceasing a Peal of Bells_; Let them fall gradually from a set _Peal_, checking them only at Sally, till the low Compass renders it useless; and when so low, that for want of Compass, they can scarce strike at Back-stroak; then let the _Treble_-Ringer stamp, as a Signal, to notify, that the next time they come to strike at the Fore-stroke, to check them down, to hinder their striking the Back-stroke; yet Fore-stroke continued, till brought to a neat and gracefull Chime, which may be the _Finis_ to that _Peal_. Thus much in short, for _Raising_, _Round-Ringing_, and _Ceasing_ a _Peal_ of _Bells_; I come next to lead you forth into that spacious _Field_ of Variety of _Changes_, and present you with Instructions that may be meerly necessary, for the right Understanding the several kinds of them. Now in _Ringing Changes_, two of our best Senses, are to be employed, _viz._ The _Ear_, and the _Eye_: The _Ear_, Hearing when to make a _Change_; and the _Eye_ directing the _Bell_ in making it: The _Bells_ being the Object of the Former, and the _Bell-Ropes_ the Object of the Latter. And to render both the Eye and Ear Usefull in Ringing _Changes_, these _Five_ things are throughly to be Understood _First._ Endeavour to distinguish the _Notes_ of a _Peal_ of _Bells_, one from another while Ringing. _Secondly_, Learn to apprehend the Places of the _Notes_. _Thirdly_, Understand the Precendency of _Notes_. _Fourthly_, How to make a _Change_ in _Ringing_. _Fifthly_, and _Lastly_. How to Practise the four fore-going Notions in General. 1. _To know the Notes of a Peal of Bells asunder_ (which is easy in _Round-Ringing_) in _Changes_ is thus: Get the skill of Tuning them with your _Voice_, by imitating their Notes while _Ringing_. Or if you are acquainted, either by your self or Friend, with some _Singing-master_, or one who has skill in _Singing_, get him to instruct you in the true Pitch of any _Note_, and aid your distinguishing them; otherwise you may be puzzled in this, to know which is _Treble_, which _Second_, &c. as in 532641, _&c._ 2. To know the Places of the _Notes_, is no way better to be apprehended than thus: The Practitioner ought to form an _Idea_ in his Head of the Place of each _Note_, whether in a direct _Line_, or _Obliquely_; and representing them by a _Figure_ in his mind, see (as it were) by the Eye of his Understanding each stroke of the _Bell_, as the _Treble_, 1. _Second_ 2. _Third_ 3. _&c._ so that as the _Ear_ is to direct him, when to make the Change, so a right Apprehension of the _Motion_ and _Places_ of the _Notes_, ought to be a means to guide his Ear. 3. The Precedency of _Notes_, is of a very Obvious Demonstration; thus: In Ringing _Changes_, the Fore and Back-stroke, successively following one another, are properly said to _Lye behind_ one another, according to their places of striking. Or in short, in 12345. the _Note_ that leads either at Fore or Back-stroak, is said to _Lye before_ the rest, and the last to be behind. As the 2 is said to lye behind the 1, so it lyeth before the 3, as the 3 lyeth behind the 2, so it lyeth before the 4. And so of as many as are _Rung_. 4. The manner of making a _Change_, is very common, and needs no particular, but general Rule; That it is made by moving one _Note_ into anothers place, Up and Down, as Occasion requires; but all usually made by two _Notes_ standing one next the other, as hereafter may be Observed. _Lastly_, In your Ringing _Changes_, these two things (in which consists the practick part of this Art) are to be rightly considered. _First_, Readily to know which two _Bells_ are to make the succeeding _Change_. And _Secondly_, to consider (if you are concern’d in it) what _Bell_ you are to follow in making it. To understand which the more perfectly, you must imprint in your memory, the Method of the _Changes_ prick’d in _Figures_, and to be expert likewise in setting them down divers wayes, and making any _Figure_ a _Hunt_ at Pleasure; and thus without pausing or hesitating to consider the Course, you may throughly understand the Methods; the Four preceding Observations being first perfectly understood. There are two wayes of _Ringing Changes_, viz. By _Walking_ them, as the Artists stile it; or by _Whole-pulls_, or _Half-pulls_: _Walking_ is, when in one _Change_ the _Bells_ go round, _Four_, _Six_, or _Eight_ times; which is a most incomparable way to improve a young Practitioner, by giving him time to consider, which two _Bells_ do make the next succeeding _Change_, and in making it, what _Bell_ each is to follow; so that by this means (by his industry) he may be capable of Ringing at _Whole-Pulls_; Which is, when the _Bells_ go round in a Change at fore and back-stroke; and a new Change is made every time they are pulled down at Sally: This an Ancient Practice, but is now laid aside, since we have learnt a more advantageous way of hanging our _Bells_, that we can manage a _Bell_ with more ease at a Set-Pull than formerly: So that Ringing at _Half-Pulls_ is now the modern general Practice; that is, When one Change is made at Fore-Stroke, another at Back-Stroke, _&c._ I have one Thing more to add in these _introductory_ Rules, and that in short is this: He that Rings the slowest _Hunt_, ought to notify the _extreme Changes_; which is, when the Leading _Bell_ is pulling down, that he might make the Change next before the Extreme, he ought to say, _Extreme_. By this means, betwixt the Warning and the Extreme there will be one compleat Change. _Of Changes_, &c. There are _two kinds of Changes_, viz. _Plain Changes_, and _Cross-Peals_; which Terms do denote the _Nature_ of them; for as the first is stiled _Plain_, so are its Methods easy; and as the second is called _Cross_, so are its Methods cross and intricate: The First have a general Method, in which all the Notes (except Three) have a direct _Hunting-Course_, moving gradually under each other, plainly and uniformly: _Plain_ are likewise termed _single Changes_, because there is but one single Change made in the striking all the Notes round, either at fore or back-stroke. But the Second is _various_, each Peal differing in its Course from all others; and _in Cross-Peals as many Changes may be made as the Notes will permit_. In short, as to _Plain-Changes_, I shall not dilate on them here, it being so _plainly_ understood by every one that lately have rung a _Bell_ in peal; All therefore I shall add is this, That any two Notes that strike next together may make a Change, which may be done either _single_ or _double_, as you list. The _single_, by changing Two Notes; and the _Double_, by changing Four, _i. e._ Two to make one Change, and two another; which is however called _One double Change_, and not two Changes; because tis made in striking the Notes of the _Bells_ once round. For the rest, common Observation and Practice bids me stop here, and demands a Clearing those dark Intricacies which attend _Cross-Peals_. _Of Cross-Peals._ _Art_, being a curious Searcher and Enquirer into the hidden and abstruse _Arcana_’s of Difficulties, having found out that dark and remote Corner of Obscurity, wherein the nature of these _Cross-Peals_ lay at first invelopped, has exhibited by its _Proselytes_ the ensuing Demonstrations of that which before lay mantled up in Doubt: And to effect this, these _Favourites of Art_ have, like ingenious Architects, made Order and Method the _Basis_, on which the whole Structure depends: For in these _Cross-Peals_ we must observe the _prime Movement_, which sets the whole Frame a going, and that is called the _Hunt_, which hath _One constant Uniform Motion throughout the Peal_, and different from that of the other Notes; and indeed by this the whole Course of the Peal is Steered. This keeps a continual motion through the other Notes, _i. e._ From Leading, to strike behind, and from thence again to Lead; which is called one _compleat Course_. Some Peals upon _five Bells_ consist of _single_ Courses, wherein are ten Changes, and twelve Courses make the Peal. Others upon Five, consist of Double Courses, wherein are twenty Changes to every Course, and six Courses in the Peal. Upon _six Bells_ there are likewise _single_ and _double_ Courses, _viz._ Twelve Changes in every single Course, as in _Grandsire Bob_, &c. and Twenty-four Changes in every Double Course, as in _Colledge Bobs_, that being the first Change of every Course, wherein the _Hunt_ leaves Leading: In short, judiciously observe the first Course of any _Cross-Peal_, and you will soon see the general Method of the whole Peal: All Courses in Cross-Peals agreeing in these following three Respects. First, _In the motion of the Hunt_. Secondly, _In the motion of the rest of the Notes_: And Thirdly, _In making the Changes_. Which three things being well (to omit Instances of Demonstration) and narrowly observed, will be very helpful both in pricking and ringing Courses; the first and third for directing you in Pricking them, and the first and second in Ringing them. There is one _Difficulty_ to be removed e’re I can come to prick down those _Peals_ I design to be the Subject of the Discourse of this _Epitome_, and that is, _How to make the first Changes at the beginning of each Peal_; I mean to make the _Second_, _Third_, _Fourth_, &c. _whole Hunts_; and this in short is thus directed: In any _Cross-Peal_ the _Whole Hunt_ may move either up or down at the beginning; and the Motion of the _Whole Hunt_, in the first Course of each of the following Peals, will direct the first Motion of any _Cross-hunt_, and by Consequence of making the first Changes in that Peal. Taking along with you this Observation. That whensoever the first Change of any Peal happens to be _single_, it must be made at the back-stroke, to prevent _cutting Compass_; and the like when a double Change happens first in a Peal of _Triples and doubles_: But when it happens, that the first Change is made at the Back-stroke, then Consequently the Bells at the end of the Peal will come round at a Fore-stroke Change. I shall omit speaking to any of the several _Peals_ on _four or five Bells_; for that in my Opinion little _Musick_ is heard, though much _practical Observation_ is made, from them; and therefore shall begin with _Grandsire-Bob_, as having mentioned it but just before in my general View I made of _Cross-Peals_. _Grandsire Bob._ _Bob_ Changes take their Name from this, _viz._ When the _Treble_ leads in the _Second_ and _Third_, and the _Fifth_ and _Sixth_’s places, then they are called _Bob-Changes_. In Ringing which you are to observe these Rules, _viz._ Whatsoever Bells you follow when you _Hunt up_, the same Bells in the same order you must follow in _Hunting down_; as in the Changes here prickt, where the _Treble_ hunting up _First_ follow _Second_, then _Fourth_, and then _Sixth_; when it comes behind, _First_ follows _Second_, in hunting down _Fourth_; and when hunted up follows _Sixth_ in the same Order: The like may be observed in Ringing any other Bell, with this Difference betwixt the Whole-hunt and the rest, _viz._ Every time the Whole-hunt leaves the _Treble_’s place, and hunts up, it followeth different Bells from what it did at its first hunting up. In the ensuing Peal here prickt are _Eighteen-score_ Changes, wanting one. It may be Rung with any _Hunts_, and begin the Changes _Triple_ and _Double_: You may make your Extreme at the first, second, or third _single Bob_; or the first, second, or third time, that the half and _quarter-hunts_ dodg behind; the _single_ must be made behind in either of these. 123456 ------ 214365 241635 426153 462513 645231 654321 563412 536142 351624 315264 132546 135264 312546 321456 234165 243615 426351 462531 645213 654123 561432 516342 153624 156342 513624 531264 352146 325416 234561 243651 426315 462135 641253 614523 165432 _bob._ 156423 514632 541362 453126 435216 342561 324651 236415 263145 621354 612534 165243 162534 615243 651423 564132 546312 453621 435261 342516 324156 231465 213645 126354 123645 216354 261534 625143 652413 564231 546321 453612 435162 341526 314256 132465 134256 312465 321645 236154 263514 625341 652431 564213 546123 451632 415362 143526 _bob._ 134562 315426 351246 532164 523614 256341 265431 624513 642153 461235 416325 143652 _bob._ 134625 316452 361542 635124 653214 562341 526431 254613 245163 421536 412356 143265 142356 ------ 124536 125463 ------ 152643 156234 ------ 165324 163542 ------ 136452 _bob._ 163425 ------ 136245 132654 ------ 123564 125346 ------ 152436 154263 ------ 145623 _bob._ 154632 ------ 145362 _bob._ 154326 ------ 145236 142563 ------ 124653 126435 ------ 162345 163254 ------ 136524 135642 ------ 153462 _bob._ 135426 ------ 153246 152364 ------ 125634 126543 ------ 162453 164235 ------ 146325 _bob._ 164352 ------ 146532 _bob._ 164523 ------ 146253 142635 ------ 124365 ------ 123456 ------ Thus much for the _Grandsire-Bob_; I shall next collect what _London Peals_ I think most Harmonious, and agreeable, without troubling my self to go to _Oxford_, or _Nottingham_, or _Redding_, to enquire after their different Methods of _Peales_, as indeed needless; and my reason is this: Because I think the same Rules for _Peales_ that are suitable to our _London Genius_, may challenge likewise an Acceptance amongst other _Cities_; provided their _Steeples_ are furnished with as many, and as good _Bells_, and their _Belfree’s_ with as ingenious and elaborate _Ringers_ as here in _London_. I shall begin then with _Peales upon Six Bells_, and herein in order, measure out the Delights on _Peals_ from _Six_ to _Eight_ Bells, and setting out early, present you with _The Morning Exercise._ _Doubles_ and _Singles_. The whole _Hunt_ is the _Treble_, which _Hunteth_ up into the _Second_, _Third_, and _Fourth_ places, lying twice in each; and then lyeth still in the _Sixth_ place, having dodged behind, and makes another, and then _Hunts_ down as it _Hunted_ up, and then leads four times. Observing the manner of its Pricking, and its Practice, may excuse any further defining it. 123456 ------ 213465 213456 231465 231456 234165 234156 243516 243561 245316 245361 254631 254613 256431 256413 265143 265134 261543 [printed as: 265143] 261534 216543 216534 126543 126534 162543 162534 ------ 164352 164325 _bob._ 163452 163425 ------ 165243 165234 156243 156234 ------ 154326 154362 _bob._ 153426 153462 ------ 152643 152634 125643 125634 ------ 124365 124356 142365 142356 ------ 146532 146523 _bob._ 145632 145623 ------ 143265 143256 134265 134256 ------ 136524 136542 _bob._ 135624 135642 ------ 132465 132456 123465 123456 ------ This will go a 120 _Changes_, and by making _Bobs_, 240, 360, 720. _A Cure for _Melancholy_._ _Doubles_ and _Singles_. I should think it needless to explain the method of prick’d Peales, and give a large Definition of them, when their plain Demonstration might be sufficient; However, as the Old _Phrase_ is, _Because ’tis usual_, something shall be said of this too. The _Treble_ is the whole _Hunt_, as in the former, and leads four times, and lyeth behind as many, and twice in every other place; the two _Bells_ in the 3d. add 4th. places continue dodging, when the _Treble_ moves out of the 4th. place; untill it comes down there again, and then the two hindmost dodge, till the _Treble_ displaceth them; who maketh every double _Change_, except when it lieth behind, and then the double is on the four first, and on the four last when it leads. Every Single (except when the _Treble_ lies there) is in the 5th. and 6th. places; or if possessed by the _Treble_, then in the 3d. and 4th. places: Every _Bell_ (except the _Treble_) lies four times in the Second place: But enough; a word is enough to the Wise. See it here Deciphered. 123456 ------ 213465 213456 231465 231456 234165 234156 243516 245316 243561 245361 423561 425361 423516 425316 452136 452163 451236 451263 415236 415263 145236 145263 142536 142563 ------ 156423 156432 _bob._ 165423 165432 ------ 143652 143625 _bob._ 134652 134625 ------ 162345 162354 163245 163254 ------ 125634 125643 126534 126543 ------ 154263 154236 152463 152436 ------ 143526 143562 _bob._ 134526 134562 ------ 156423 156432 _bob._ 165423 165432 ------ 132654 132645 136254 136245 ------ 124365 124356 123465 123456 ------ This will go _Six-score Changes_, but by making _bobs_, it will go 240, 360, or 720. The _bob_ is a double _Change_ at the leading of the _Treble_, in which the _Bell_ in the 4th Place lyeth still. London Nightingale, _Doubles_ and _Singles_. The Whole-_Hunt_ is the _Treble_, who lyeth four times before, and as many behind, and twice in every other place: The two hind _bells_ continue dodging, when the _Treble_ moves down out of the _Fifth_ place, till he comes there again, the _bell_ in the _Fourth_ place lying still all the while: When the two hind _bells_ aforesaid leave dodging, then the two _First bells_ take their dodging places, till dispossessed again, by the return of the said Hind _bells_ to their dodging; and then they Cease. 123456 ------ 213465 213456 231465 231456 234165 234156 243516 423516 243561 423561 245361 425361 245316 425316 452136 452163 451236 451263 415236 415263 145236 145263 154236 154263 ------ 126543 126534 162543 162534 ------ 153624 153642 _bob._ 156324 156342 ------ 134562 134526 _bob._ 135462 135426 ------ 142356 142365 124356 124365 ------ 136245 136254 163245 163254 ------ 125634 125643 152634 152643 [printed as: 152634] ------ 164523 164532 _bob._ 165423 165432 ------ 143652 143625 _bob._ 146352 146325 ------ 132465 132456 123465 123456 ------ This will go 120, and by making _bobs_, 240, 360, or 720. _Colledge Bobs._ In this _bob_, when the _Treble_ leaves the two Hind _bells_, they dodge till it comes there again, and till the _Treble_ gives way for the dodging again of the said two Hind _bells_, the two _First bells_ dodge, but after Cease dodging, when the two Hind _bells_ dodge. 123456 ------ 214365 124356 213465 231456 324165 321456 234165 243615 426351 246315 423651 246351 423615 243651 426315 462135 641253 642135 461253 416235 142653 412635 146253 142635 416253 146235 412653 421635 246153 241635 426153 462513 _&c._ 165432 _bob._ 156423 ------ 143526 _bob._ 134562 ------ 152364 153246 ------ 126543 125634 ------ 164235 162453 ------ 143652 _bob._ 134625 ------ 165324 _bob._ 156342 ------ 132546 135264 ------ 124365 123456 ------ _Another._ Here, every _bell_, when it comes to lead, makes a dodge before, then after one _Change_, it lyeth still; after it has made another dodge, it moves up into the _4th._ place, where twice it lyeth still; and down again; except the _Treble_ happens to dodge with it in the _4th._ place, then it _Hunts_ up behind. When the _Treble_ moves down out of the _3d._ place, the two _bells_ in the _3d._ and _4th._ place continue there, till the _Treble_ comes up thither again, the two hind _bells_ dodging in the mean time. 123456 ------ 214365 124356 213465 231645 326154 231654 326145 362415 634251 364215 632451 623541 265314 625341 263514 236154 321645 236145 321654 312564 135246 315264 132546 135264 312546 132564 315246 351426 534162 351462 534126 _&c._ 153624 _bob._ 135642 ------ 153462 _bob._ 135426 ------ 153246 152364 ------ 125634 126543 ------ 162453 164235 ------ 146325 _bob._ 164352 ------ 146532 _bob._ 164523 ------ 146253 142635 ------ 124365 123456 ------ Both these _bobs_ will go _One Hundred_ and _Twenty Changes_, and by making of _bobs_, they will go, 240, 360, or 720. And thus with little Variation, there are other _bobs_ may be made after the same manner, and afford as Admirable Musick, as possibly can be made on _bells_. I shall therefore hasten to finish this dayes Work, only first present you with this one more called, The City Delight: _Doubles_ and _Singles_. The whole _Hunt_ is the _Treble_, and lieth as before in the _Nightingale_: When the _Treble_ moves out of the _3d._ place, the _Singles_ are made in the _2d._ and _3d._ places, till the _Treble_ repossesses his _3d_ place, and then behind, till it moves up again out of the _3d._ place. The two Hind _bells_ dodge, when the _Treble_ moves out of the _4th._ place, till he returns again; the _bell_ in the _4th._ place lying still all the while. 123456 ------ 213465 213456 231465 231456 234165 234156 243156 234615 243615 246351 264351 246531 264351 265413 256413 265143 256143 251634 251643 215634 215643 125634 125643 152634 152643 ------ 154326 154362 _bob._ 153426 153462 ------ 156234 156243 165234 165243 ------ 164352 164325 _bob._ 163452 163425 ------ 162534 162543 126534 126543 ------ 124365 124356 142365 142356 ------ 145623 145632 _bob._ 146523 146532 ------ 143265 143256 134265 134256 ------ 135642 135624 _bob._ 136542 136524 ------ 132465 132456 123465 123456 ------ This will go as many _Changes_ as the last mentioned, by making _bobs_. And here I will shut up this dayes Peal, upon Six Bells with The Evening Delight. _Doubles_ and _Singles_. The Whole-_Hunt_ is the _Treble_, and lyes as before specified, with this exception only: That it dodges in the _2d._ and _3d._ places, every time it _Hunts_ up, and down. Observe when _Treble_ goes to lead, and leaves of leading, the _bells_ in the _3d._ and _4th._ places lye still, _&c._ Note the pricking this _Peal_. 123456 ------ 213465 231465 213645 231645 236154 263154 236514 263514 265314 256341 265431 256431 254613 245613 254163 245163 241536 214536 241356 214356 124365 142365 124635 142635 ------ 146253 164235 _bob._ 146253 164235 ------ 162453 126453 _bob._ 162435 126435 ------ 124653 142653 124563 142563 ------ 145236 154236 145326 154326 ------ 153462 135462 153642 135642 ------ 136524 163524 _bob._ 136542 163542 ------ 165324 156324 _bob._ 165342 156342 ------ 153624 135624 153264 135264 ------ 132546 123546 132456 123456 ------ This Peal will go 120 _Changes_, and by making _bobs_, as many as above. Note that in all the foregoing Peals upon _Six bells_, the _bobs_ are double _Changes_, and made alwayes at the leadings of the _Whole-Hunt_. He that Rings the _Half-Hunt_, may best call _bob_ in all Peales. I come now to the _Changes_ upon Seven _bells_, which though the seldom Practice of them might excuse my omitting them; yet because I promised to say somewhat of them, I shall be as good as my Word, (the Character of an Honest man) and present you with a couple of Examples, and then proceed to _Peales_ upon _Eight_: But this I must crave leave to premise, That Variety of _Changes_ may be prick’d upon Seven _bells_, as _Triples_, and _Doubles_, _Triples Doubles_, and _Single Doubles_, &c. and the same Methods may be prick’d upon _Seven_, as may be upon _Five_, the true difference of Proportion being observed; but to proceed. _Dodging Triples._ _Triples_ and _Doubles_, and indeed all _Peals_ upon Six, may likewise go upon Seven _Bells_, thus, 1234567 ------- 2143576 2415367 4251376 4523167 5432617 4523671 5432761 4523716 5432176 5341267 3514276 3152467 1325476 1352746 Plain Triples. 1234567 ------- 2143657 2416375 4261735 4627153 6472513 6745231 7654321 7563412 5736142 5371624 3517264 3152746 1325476 In this all the Bells have a Hunting _Course_. _Colledge Triples_, dodging before, and behind. 1234567 ------- 2143576 2415367 [printed as: 2415357] 4251376 2453167 4235617 2436571 4263751 2467315 4276135 2471653 4217635 4126753 1462735 1467253 4176235 4712653 7421635 4726153 7462513 4765231 This _Peal_ thus prick’t, will go, 84 _Changes_, and the _Treble_ leading, and the _Half Hunt_ lying next it, and a parting _Change_ (which is a _Double_ on the four middlemost of the Six hind _Bells_) being made, it will go 420, and by making _bobs_, 5040. Thus much shall suffice for _Peales_ upon Seven _Bells_, I proceed to _Changes_ upon _Eight_. _Peals of Eight Bells._ Without amusing our selves with what Notes are most _Musical_, to _lye behind_, we will come to the matter of Fact; for those Methods of _Peals_ that are prick’t on _Six_, may be the same upon _Eight_, Observing only, that _Triples_ and _Doubles_ upon _Six_, must be _Quadruples_, and _Triples_ upon _Eight_. _Doubles_ upon _Six_, must be _Triples_ upon _Eight_, &c. Now then to our purpose of Demonstration; We generally give preference to things, as they are dignified with some eminent Title, and are ready to suppose they may have something more than ordinary, that merits such Esteem, whereof the Title is but a Sign, or Token; which Custome induced me to head my Discourse upon _Changes_ on _Eight Bells_, with that which carries the most _Swelling_ Title. The Imperial Bob: _Quadruples_ and _Triples_. The _Treble_ hath a dodging _Course_, the two first, and two last _Bells_ always dodge, till hindred by the _Treble_, the two next to these, lying still one _Change_, dodge the next, till the _Treble_ hinders them too. Those in the 5th. and 6th. places dodge (the Treble being behind) and those in the 3d. and 4th. places likewise dodge (the Treble being before) and so till hindered by the Treble. 12345678 -------- 21436587 12346578 21436587 24136578 42315687 24135678 42316587 24361578 42635187 24631578 42365187 24635817 42368571 24365817 42638571 24365871 42638517 24635871 42368517 24638157 42361875 24368157 42631875 24613857 42168375 24618357 42163857 41268357 14623875 41263857 14628375 14263857 41628375 14268357 41623875 46128357 64213875 46123857 64218375 46281357 _&c._ 16847253 16482735 -------- 18765432 _bob._ 17864523 -------- 16573824 _bob._ 15678342 -------- 17352648 17536284 -------- 13274586 13725468 -------- 12438765 12347856 -------- 14826357 14283675 -------- 18645273 18462537 -------- 16587432 _bob._ 15684732 -------- 18753624 _bob._ 17856342 -------- 15372846 15738264 -------- 13254768 13527486 -------- 12436587 12345678 -------- By this method, the Peal will go 224 Changes, and by making of Bobs it will go 448, 672, 1344. The Bob is a _Triple_ Change at the Leading of the Treble, wherein the Bell in the _Fourth_ place lies still. The next that comes to our Observation, and answers to what we first hinted at in the beginning of this discourse of Peals upon _Eight_ Bells I mean _Precedency in Title_, is the Bob Major. _Plain Quadruples_ and _Triples_. In this all the _Bells_ have a direct _Hunting Course_, until the Treble leads, and then the six hindmost _Bells_ dodge. 12345678 -------- 21436587 24163857 42618375 46281735 64827153 68472513 86745231 87654321 78563412 75836142 57381624 53718264 35172846 31527486 13254768 31527486 By this method this will go 112. And by making _Bobs_, 224, 336, or 672. The _Bob_ is a _Triple Change_, as in the foregoing _Imperial_ is specified. By making two _Extreams_ it will go 1344, and with four _Extreams_, 2688. All Peals upon six Bells, wherein half the Changes are _Triples_, will go upon _Eight_ according the method before-going, thus; If it be a Peal upon _Six_, consisting of 360, or 720 Changes, then there must be five _Hunts_ in the Ringing of it upon _Eight_, the Treble being the first, 2 the Second, _&c._ Colledge Bob Major. _Quadruples_ and _Triples_. There is four wayes of Pricking these. The first hath single Dodging behind, and is thus Peal’d. The First. 12345678 -------- 21436587 24163578 42615387 46251378 64523187 65432817 56348271 53684721 35867412 38576142 83751624 87315642 78136524 71863542 17685324 16758342 The Second. This hath Single Dodging before and behind, thus prickt. 12345678 -------- 21436587 24163578 42615387 24651378 42563187 24536817 42358671 24385761 42837516 24873156 42781365 24718356 42173865 41237856 14328765 13482756 The Third. This hath double Dodging behind, thus Prickt. 12345678 -------- 21436587 24135678 42316587 43261578 34625187 36452817 63548271 65384721 56837412 58673142 85761324 87216342 78153624 71856342 17583624 15786342 The Fourth. This hath double Dodging before and behind both thus. 12345678 -------- 21436587 24135678 42316587 24361578 42635187 24365817 42638571 24368751 42637815 24367185 42631758 24613785 42167358 41263785 14627358 16423785 These may be prick’t several other wayes, but that I Omit here for Brevities sake; The _Dodging_ is without Intermission, except an hinderance comes by the _Treble_; as likewise between two Bells, until _Treble_ parts the Fray. The _Bobs_ are _Triple Changes_, as the _Treble_ leads; in the _1st._ _2d._ and _6th._ the Bell in the _4th._ place lies still at the _Bobs_, and in the _3d._ _4th._ and _5th._ that in the _2d._ place lies still. Each of these will go 112 Changes, and by making Bobs 224, 336, or 672. Colledge Triples Dodging both before and behind. This Peal is the same for _Bobs_, as the _Bob Major_, and will go as many Changes by making Bobs, or otherwise, as any of the foregoing Four, and is thus Peal’d. 12345678 -------- 21436587 24153678 42513687 24531678 42536187 24563817 42568371 24586731 42587613 24578163 42571836 24517863 42157836 41275863 14725836 17452863 The Wild-Goose Chace _Triples._ The Explanation shall follow the Peal; intending here to put an end to my _Epitome_ of the _Art of Ringing_, and therefore shall first present you with this Prick’t thus. 12345678 -------- 21536784 25163748 52613784 56231748 65327184 63572814 36758241 37625481 73265418 72356148 27531684 25713648 52173684 51237648 15327684 13572648 31752684 37125648 73215684 72351648 In this Change the 4th. Bell must first hunt up into the Sevenths place, and then the 4 and 8 alwayes dodge behind throughout the Peal, unless when obstructed by the _Treble_. The Bell that moves up into the 6th. place, when the _Treble_ moves thence down, lies still there, till displaced by the _Treble_; during which time the two hind Bells dodge, and the _five first_ go a perfect _Hunting-Course_: And when likewise the _Treble_ moveth out the 5th. place the five first Bells go a _Hunting-Course_, till it comes down there again: By this method it will go 80 Changes, and by _Bobs_ 160, 240, or 480. The _Bob_ is made as in the foregoing Changes. And here I thought to make an end of the Art of Ringing, but _Cynthius aurem vellit_, the young Practitioner, whose only Information is hereby aimed at, plucks me by the Sleeve, and tells me in the Ear, That tho Peals upon six, as _Triples_ and _Doubles_, &c. make excellent Musick upon Eight _Bells_, 4 8, 6 8, 4 1, or 1 8 lying behind: Or, _Triples_ and _Doubles_ upon the six middle _Bells_, the _Tennor_ lying behind; yet for him who is not arrived to such a perfection of Skill, at to Ring these compleat Peals, the most proper and easy for him are _Set-Changes_, which are founded on these _Grounds_. First, _Placing the Bells Fifths_; thus: The 4 must hunt up behind the 7, the 3, behind the 6, and the 2 behind the 5; Or the one may hunt down under the other, as the 5 under the 2, the 6 under 3, and 7 under 4: Or if you will, first let a _Single_, next a _Double_, and then a _Triple_ Change be made on the Middle _Bells_, all coming to the same effect; for then the Changes will lye _Fifths_ thus, 1 5, 2 6, 3 7, 4 8. In the Peal four _Concords_ are to be regarded, The first 1 5; the second 2 6. the third 3 7. and the fourth 4 8. These four _Concords_ may go the Methods of any Changes upon four _Bells_; 1, 5 being taken for the _Treble_; 2, 6 for the _Second_; 3, 7 for the _Third_; and 4, 8 for the _Fourth_; and the _Concords_ may Change places with one another, as you list. In which this Observation is highly necessary, That the two Notes of every Concord must constantly attend each other in their Motion; that is, whenever one of the two Notes moves, the other must follow it. Or Secondly, _Place the Bells_ Thirds; thus: The 6 4 and 2 must hunt up, or else the 3 5 7 down; or otherwise on the middle most _Bells_ let a _Triple_, _Double_ or _Single_ Change be made, they are to one effect; and then the _Bells_ will lie _Thirds_ thus, 1 3. 5 7. 2 4. 6 8. Herein are four _Concords_ observable; as in the former Peal, _viz_, 1 3. 5 7. 2 4. 6 8. These _Concords_ may go the Methods of any Changes upon Four _Bells_, 1, 3 being taken for the Treble; 5, 7 for the Second; 2, 4 for the third; and 6, 8 for the fourth; moving in the same manner as before shewed. By these _Grounds_ Variety of excellent & Musical Changes are to be Rung; _Any Concord may be made a Hunt_, and to move up and down at the begining. In Ringing these _Set-Changes_, the Note will lye sometimes _Fifths_, sometimes _Thirds_, and sometimes _both_, and then to _Clam_ them, is admirable Musick: Clamming is, when each _Concord_ strike together; which being done true the 8 will strike as but four _Bells_, & make a Melodious Harmony. You may _Clam_ two or three bouts, and then strike as many times Open, alternatively, one _Clam_ one Pull, and Open the next, _&c._ Thus much shall suffice for my treating of Ringing, and had not the Variety of its _Theme_, in which I was insensibly engaged, invited my Tast of something of every thing: I had not enlarged so much as I have; but I hope the pleasure it may produce, will attone for my dilating on so delightful a Subject; All I have therefore to add is, some _Advice_ to the _Ringer_, in the Lawfull prosecuting this _Recreation_; and that is this. When God in _Israels Exodus_ out of _Egypt_, commanded _Moses_ to Consecrate _Aaron_, and his Sons, and invest them with those _Pontificial_ Vestments, according to the Pattern God had cut out, it is observable, that the _Robe_ of the _Ephod_, was with a particular Circumstance of Beauty to be Adorned, by hanging the _Hem_ of it with _Golden Bells_, and _Pomegranates_, each placed in an orderly Position, one by another round: This was the first institution we can read of, for the Use _Bells_ in Sacred Offices; but the reason was this: Because in _Aarons_ Ministration before God, when he entered into the Holy Place, and when he came out, the Sound of the _Bells_ might be heard in the _Temple_, for a _Memorial_ to the Children of his People. This Use of Bells continue in the _Aaronical_ Order, to this day. From hence the _Christian Church_ likewise (of which the Church under the _Mosaic_ Dispensation was but a _Type_) has made Use of _Bells_, for the notifying the Time when the People are to Assemble, and made a Signal for convocating them together to the _Temple_; and herein differing from the _Mahometans_, in the _Steeples_ of whose _Temples_, are never found any _Bells_, but _Cryers_, Persons who with a loud Voyce call them to Prayers. Now then let us make this Use of the Institution of _Bells_. _First_, Let not only the _Musick_ and _Delight_ the _Bells_ give thee, invite thee to come to the _Temple_, to be partaker of that Pleasure they may afford thy Body, but let their _Musick_ invite thee to come thither when they call thee, to exercise thy Soul in Devotion; to God. Do not let thy frequent coming thither on _Week-days_ for thy Diversion, make thee absent thy self on _Sundays_ from thy Devotion; but let their Original Use make thee mindful of the _Sanctum Sanctorum_, the most Holy Place. Do not let the _Sunday_ Mornings Peal engage thy presence then, and the _Ale-House_ have thy company afterwards. Be as quick in hearing the _Chyming_ for _Prayers_, as thou art in the _Notes_ for _Pleasure_. _When ere the _Old-Exchange_ of Profit Rings, Her Silver _Saints-Bell_, of uncertain Gains, Thy Merchant-soul can stretch both _Legs & Wings_, How canst thou run, and take unwearied Pains?_ And shouldst thou not be as nimble, when the _Saints-bell_ of the Church sounds in thy Ears, and calls thee to attend the _Priest_, who now signifyes his entrance into the _Holy-place_, and invites thee to joyn with him in the Sacrifice of Prayers and Praises. _Secondly_, Nor let the Bells be made thy Lullaby, to drown some Dissatisfaction, and so makes thee repair to the _Belfree_, (like the _Nurse_ to her _Whistle-Bells_) to quiet thy disturbed mind, and thus (as the Divine Poet excellently expresses it) to silence it with Look, Look, What’s here! A dainty Golden thing? See how the dancing _Bells_ turn round, and Ring To please my _Bantling_! here’s a _Knack_ will breed, An hundred Kisses; here’s a _Knack_ indeed, _&c._ But let the _Altar_ have thy presence in Communion with God, in Prayers for his Grace, and Patience, to support any Calamity that may fall upon thee. _Lastly_, Let the Bells put you in mind to contemplate on _Death_, and every time you Ring, think how long it may be ere one of these may be your turn to have to sound _The Nine sad Knolls of a Dull _Passing-Bell_, With the loud Language of a Nightly Knell._ This in short, is the use the _Ringer_ ought to make of this his Recreation, which if he makes duly and rightly, he may then Lawfully enjoy all the Benefit he can desire from it. And here I shall make an end of this Observation by way of Advice to the _Ringer_, which perhaps coming amongst Recreations may look unseasonable; But I know (at least presume) if I meet with an ingenious Reader, I shall need no Apology, for playing the Divine, in the directing the good Use of our Pleasures, and aiming at the furtherance of Virtue in all our Actions. Thus much for _Ringing_. Of Billiards, _Italy_ is asserted by universal Consent, to have been the Country whence this Recreation took its Birth and Original; and indeed ’tis no wonder that she who is called the _Queen_ or _Empress of the World_, the _Mistress of the Nations_, nay _the Paradise of the World_, should yield such Art and Ingenuity, and gentile Cunning, as her proper Product: A Country whose Inhabitants for their _Gravity_, _Respectiveness_, and _Ingenuity_ will ever stand Chronicled in the Books of Fame. A People that are _obedient_ to their _Superiors_, _Courteous_ to their Inferiors, full of all _Civility_ to their Equals, _Affable_ to Strangers, and most desirous by all fair and friendly Offices to win their Love. In their _Apparel_ fine and modest, in their _Furniture_ of their Houses sumptuous, and at their _Tables_ neat, sober in _Speech_, Enemies of all _ill Reports_ of others, and so tender of their own _Reputation_, that whosoever Slanders any one, and it reach the Parties Ear, the Slanderer certainly dies for it: _Thrifty_ they are generally of their Money and Expence, and love no more Cost, than what they are sure to Save by, or have great Thanks for; but otherwise for civil Behaviour and Deportment, surpassing all the Gentry of the World besides. But one thing I dare not omit in this Character of them, _viz._ That they are extream _Jealous of their Wives_; and indeed not without some reason, if what is spoken proverbially of their Women, be true, That they are as _Magpies_ at the door, _Saints_ in the Church, _Goats_ in the Garden, _Devils_ in the House, _Angels_ in the Streets, and _Syrens_ at the Windows; if Nature does not make them appear Beautiful, Art shall, as Paintings and other sophistical Helps; whence comes this Proverb among them, If _God make them tall and Fat_ (a _goodly_ Woman being a Title of great Value among them) _they will make themselves fair_. In fine, The Gentry are very Rich, live of all Men the most careless and contented Lives, keeping the Poor as Drudges and Slaves for them; and as it is said of the Tyrant _Polycrates_, _Have nothing to trouble them, but that they are troubled with nothing_. Thus I have given you a brief Character of the Inventors of this Recreation we are coming to treat of, and hence we may presume, how _fit_ such a People as this is, to give Birth to such a Recreation, so Gentile, so Cleanly, and so Ingenious, that as their Persons and Manners are emulously esteemed, so are their Pastimes ambitiously pursued, by most Nations in _Europe_; and this Sport is hugely valued by all in general, few Noblemen’s or private Gentlemen’s Families, nor few noted Towns in _England_, but have _Billiard Tables_, and admire the Excellency of it, both for the Exercise of the Body, and the Recreation of the Mind. But to the Matter in hand. _First_ then, He that would rightly understand this excellent Pastime, must be very careful of the _Form_ and _Make of the Table_, and the right ordering, framing, and fitting it for the Game, which is known by these ensuing Marks. 1. The _Form_ of a _Billiard Table_ ought to be _Oblong_, that is to say, somewhat longer than it is broad; Both the length and breadth being left to your Discretion to make; proportionable to the Room you design it for; It ought to be _railed_ round, and this Rail or Ledge a little swelled or stufft with fine Flox or Cotton, that may yield to the Ball when struck against it, and expedites rather than deads the Flight of the Ball; though that happens according to the Violence of the Stroke or Push: The _Superficies_ of the Table ought to be covered with Green fine Cloath, clean and free from Knots: The Board must be levelled as exactly as is possible for the Eye and Hand of the most curious Joyner to Level, to the end your Ball may run true upon any part of the Table, without leaning or declining to any side of it: I must confess I do believe there are few have been so careful in this last thing, as they ought, because they have not timely foreseen, if the Boards, whereof the Table is made, be _well-seasoned_, and not subject to _Warp_, and that the _Floor_ whereon it stands be even and level; so that through the Ill-seasonedness of the one, or Unevennes of the other, as likewise in time by the weight of the Table, and the Gamesters yielding and giving way, there are very few found true. And indeed without a Table be exactly true, a good Gamester can never shew the Excellency of his Skill and Art, but a very Bungler sometimes, by being well acquainted with the Turnings and Windings of a false Table, may beat a good Gamester with great vexation and shame, who otherwise would have given him any odds whatsoever. Therefore let me tell you, it will conduce as much to the Interest of the Master of the House, where a _Billiard Table_ is kept, to see that it be well and truly levelled and kept, as it does to the Pleasure and satisfaction of a good Gamester, whose Skill is best seen and exhibited on such Tables, and never comes unattended with Company and Profit to the House, by his Recommendation he gives abroad of it. And now let us proceed to the rest of its parts, and fit it for our Play; and then let’s to’t as you list. 2. The four Corners of the Table must be furnished with _four Holes_, and exactly in the middle of each side _one Hole_, and these Holes must be hung at the bottoms with _Nets_, Which Holes are named _Hazards_, because if either by Skill or Chance one Gamester strikes anothers Ball into these Holes, or Hazards, as we will now call them, he wins One; the _Nets_ are made to receive the Ball, and keep them from falling to the Ground when hazarded; and indeed is a very commendable way, far better than _Wooden_ Boxes which some use, these being apt to let a Ball to fly out again, when they are struck in by a stiff stroke, whereas the Nets keep them safe, and makes it impossible for them to rebound. _3dly._ The other _Utensils_ and _Instruments_ belonging to this first part of our Observations of the _Billiard Table_, are 1. An _Ivory Port_, this must be placed at one end of the Table. 2. An _Ivory King_, which must stand at the other end. 3. Two _Ivory Balls_, which must be compleatly round, or no good proof of your Play can be expected. 4. and Lastly, _Two Sticks_ made of _Brasile_, _Lignum-Vitæ_, or some other weighty Wood, to make them heavy, and at the broad end tipt with Ivory: And be sure to observe narrowly, if the _Heads_ be tight and fast, for if they should be loose you will never strike a smart stroke; and therefore if you fear this Defect, see if your stroke be hollow and dead, and your Ball run faintly, these are infallible Tokens that your Play will come to nothing without a fresh supply of other Sticks, or the heads of these fixt. Thus much for the Table, and all the other Implements belonging to it, which are necessary for our first Enquiry for the right understanding of this Game, I come next to those _Rules_ and _Measures_ which are to be observed for the rendring one a Gamester at this gentile Game. _Secondly_, This Game in its _Number_ is, according to the _Place_ and _Time_, when and where it is play’d; for in Gentlemens Houses they do not oblige themselves to a certain Number, but make as many as they please to admit up without any Restriction: But in Houses where part of their Subsistence has a Dependance upon a _Billiard Table_, the Game is _Five_ by Day-light or _Seven_, if odds be given, and _Three_ by Candle-light, or more, as the Rule of the House is. Now then having agreed upon what number we play, let us learn next how to manage our Game skillfully and with Art, and this we may understand by these following Rules. 1. Let us know who must lead, which thus is resolved: You must stand on the one side of the Table opposite to the (so called) King, with your Ball laid near the Cushion, and your Adversary on the other placed in the like posture; and thus He of the two, that comes nearest the King, leads first. _2ly._ Having gotten the Lead, have a Care how you strike your Ball, that at the first stroke you touch not with your Ball the end of the Table, leading from the King to the Port, for if you touch it you lose One, as you shall observe hereafter in the Orders. But after the first Stroke you need not fear doing it: And you Leader be sure to lead so, that you may be in a possibility of passing the Port the next Stroke; or else to lye so cunningly, that you may probably hazard your Adversaries Ball the very Stroke you play after him. _3ly._ Generally the first Contest is who shall _pass first the Port_, and herein much Pains is taken, and all the Art and Cunning possible used to do it, and sometimes, nay frequently, an Opportunity of a _Hazard_ ends the Controversy: Sundry and various, as well as very pleasant, are the Policies and Tricks which are here used to obstruct each others Pass, as; _By turning the Port by a strong clever stroke_ (the Sticks turning it, it is nothing, but to set aright again is the amends, though some would have the severity of the Orders inflicted on such an Offence by the Loss of One:) Next by _laying your Ball_ (when you see it impossible to pass) _in the Port_, or _before your Adversaries Ball_, for then let him do his utmost, he must Pass after you; if he has Past first, and you dare not venture to follow him, as fearing he should in the mean time touch the King, and so carry away the End; then you must wait upon him, and watch every Opportunity how you may hazard, or king him: Kinging of him is, when his Ball lyes in so advantageous a manner, as that if you strike his Ball, he must inevitably strike down the King, then you win, and prevent the Loss of that End: But with this Caution however, That you be careful how you strike, for if you do king him, and your Ball happens to fly over the Table, or into a Hazard, you shall lose One notwithstanding you have King’d him; and therefore a skillful Precaution must ever be had in this, and he that would prevent any such Chance, must _4ly._ Have a _curious Eye_, and a _good Judgment_, to take and quarter just so much of the Ball, that when he intends either to King or Hazard his Adversaries Ball, he may with Facility & Dexterity effect either. Which Observation must be noted, in passing on your Antagonists Ball, or corner of the Port: And indeed some are curious Effectors of this part of the Recreation, who with less than a fifth part of a Ball, will rarely miss a King or Hazard; which I must confess is an excellent part of a compleat Gamester in this Sport. _5ly._ Be careful that you _lay not your hand on the Table_ when you strike, nor let your Sleeve drag upon it, if you do it is a Loss; Or if you _smoke a Pipe of Spanish or Virginia_, being so wedded to that Fume, that were you sure to smother all the rest of the Company you are insensible of the Indecency, be careful that the Ashes fall not on the Table, lest the Cloth be burnt, which many times falls out: In these two Cases, let the Mulcts and Forfeitures of both, but especially the Hinderance the last gives a Man in the Skillful managing his Game, deter you from the lolling slovenly Posture of the first, and the stinking Indecency of the latter; because this Pastime being of a neat and cleanly Composition, will not admit any such Irregularities and Indecorums, without an absolute Violation of its Laws, and a Punishment attending such unhandsome Offences. _6thly._ As this cleanly Pastime exacts our diligent Care of keeping a _Decorum_, in the prosecuting the same, so does it require that we handle our Instruments with a neat and tractable hand, dislikes a Clumsey-Fist, which palms the Stick, as if he were handling a _Plough-share_: And therefore when you strike a long stroak, hold your stick neatly between your two fore-Fingers and your Thumb, and then strike a smart stroak; and by taking a steady and right Aim, (in this having your Eye and Judgment about you) you may when you list, either fetch back your Adversaries Ball, when he lyes fair for a Pass; or many times, when he lyes behind the _King_, and you at the other end of the Table, you may by a dextrous management of your stroke, _King_ him backward: Both which ways, I must confess, require a great deal of Care, and good Play, which he that would be, or already is, a Gamester, is never wanting in. But _7thly_, If you lye close, then the small end of your Stick, or the flat of the big end, raising up one end over your shoulder, is practicable and useful, and either of them to be used, as Occasion shall require, and as you judge most convenient and proper for the working the Effect you Aim at. _8thly_, There is one Fault, which tho its Demerits perhaps may not reach a Forfeiture, yet I must tell you will scarce admit of an Excuse, though this I presume is regulated according to the Agreement first stipulated between the Gamesters, and this Fault is called _Raking_, _i. e._ not striking your Ball cleanly, but gliding along, as it were; But in this, if you touch your Ball twice, it is a loss; as indeed repugnant to all _Rule_ and _Method_. _9thly_, There is another Caution you are to take at the Port, _viz._ When you jobb your Ball with the great end of your stick through the Port, beware that you throw it not down, the doing of it is a loss; and therefore be careful to do it so handsomly, that at one stroke without turning the Port with your stick (which as I have mentioned before is a fault) you accomplish your Intention: But on the contrary observe _10thly_, It is good play to turn the Port with your _Ball_, (not with your stick) and so hinder your Adversary from passing: Nor is it amiss, to make your Adversary a _Fornicator_ if it lyes in your Power: I mean to make him a _Fornicator_ is, having past your self a little way, and your Adversaries ball being hardly through the port, you put him back again, and it may be quite out of pass, and so you may the sooner peradventure gain the end, having the Advantage of passing, by gently thrusting the other back again. _11thly_, Let Policy likewise be a guide to you, for obtaining the Conquest, and lying a-loof off, and laying a long Hazard sometimes for your Antagonist, will be an excellent way to entice and entrap him; for that he promising to himself the good fortune of Hazarding you, will be induced rashly to adventure at that distance, and supposing to strike your Ball, which cunningly lyes (to tempt him to that Venture) near the Hazard, is himself caught in that Trap he thought to throw you into, by reason that the distance, deceives his Expectation, and blows up his thoughts with fruitless Suppositions. _12thly_, Let Art likewise teach you Cunning, _i. e._ by lying abscond, or at Bo-peep with your Adversary; this is a subtlety which perhaps may gain the Advantage of a Pass or Hazard. For I must tell you, in this Game, is required much Cunning, and subtle Contrivance, as in any Recreation whatever, and therefore when you are to Play with an Expert Player, you must muster up all the forces of your Ingenuity and Wit, for the vanquishing of your Opponent. _Lastly_, Observe the Advantages may be gained, and endeavour to get them, if they fall within the sphere of your Activity. One of which I shall here insert, which is indeed the chief, _viz._ That if your Adversary hath not past the Port, and lies up by the King, take the Advantage of a Second Pass, endeavour to pass again, which if you dextrously perform, and after touch the King, you gain two; but if your too great Precipitancy and Inadvertency, or sometimes an unlucky Chance hurryes you on to throw down the King, then you loose. Some instead of a King use a string and Bell, so that after you have passed, you need not doubt the end, as being a thing not so ticklish, or requiring so much Art as the King does, to be toucht finely and gently at a distance, without throwing it down: This alone is to be preferred for ingenious Persons, the other for the use only of Bunglers. Thus much shall suffice for Rules for the right Playing at _Billiards_, which being a Recreation not Admitting of any further Observations and Methods to be made and shewn on it; Let Practice, and the Dictates of the ensuing Orders compleat your Perfection in this gentile Game. _ORDERS for Players at the Gentile Game of _Billiards_ to Observe._ I. If the Leader touch the end of the Table with his Ball, at the first stroke, he loseth One. II. If the Follower intend to hit his Adversaries Ball, or pass at one Stroke, he must string his Ball, that is, Lay it even with the King, or he loseth One. III. He that Passeth through the Port hath the Advantage of touching the King, which is One, if not thrown down. IV. He that passeth twice, his Adversary not having passed at all, and toucheth the King, without throwing him down, wins two Ends. V. He that passeth not hath no other Advantage than the Hazards. VI. He that is a Fornicator (that is hath past through the Back of the Port) he must pass twice thro the fore-part, or he cannot have the Advantage of passing that end. VII. He that hits down the Port, or King, Hazards his own Ball, or strikes either Ball over the Table, loseth One. VIII. He that Hazards his Adversaries Ball, or makes it hit down the King, winneth the end. IX. If four Play, two against two, he that mistakes his stroke loseth one to that side he is of. X. He that after both Balls plaid, removes the Port without consent, or strikes his Ball twice together, or that his Adversaries Ball touch his stick, hand, or Clothes, or playeth his Adversaries Balls, loseth One. XI. He that sets not one foot upon the Ground, when he strikes his Ball shall lose an end, or if he layes his hand or Sleeve on the Cloth. XII. A stander-by, tho he betts shall not instruct, or speak in the Game without Consent, or being first asked; If after he is Advertised hereof he Offend in this nature, for every fault he shall instantly forfeit Two-pence for the good of the Company, or not be suffered to stay in the Room. XIII. He that Playes a Ball, while the other runs, or takes up a Ball before it lies still, loseth an End. XIV. He that removes the Port with his stick, when he strikes his Ball, and thereby prevents his Adversaries Ball from passing, loseth an end. XV. All Controversies are to be decided by the standers-by, upon asking Judgment. XVI. Whosoever breaks the King forfeits a Shilling, for the Port ten Shillings, and each stick Five Shillings. XVII. Five ends make a Game by Day-light, and Three by Candle-light. Many other Orders there are which concern the House, and thither I refer you for further Infomation; and here take leave to conclude this my _School of Recreation_. Utrum horum Mavis accipe, _&c._ _FINIS._ * * * * * * * * * Some Books Printed for _Henry Rhodes_, near _Bride-Lane_ in _Fleet-Street_. The Strange Religions, Customes and Manners of sundry Nations, in _Twelves_, price bound _One Shilling_. The History of the Life and Glorious Reign of Queen _Elizabeth_, the 2d. Edition with Additions, by _S. Clark_ in _Twelves_ bound _One Shilling_. The History of King _Henry_ the eighth and _Edward_ the sixth, _Twelves_, Price bound _One Shilling_. _Coffee-House-Jests_, the third Edition, with Additions, in _Twelves_, Price bound _One Shilling_. The present State of _Turky_, _Twelves_, Price bound _One Shilling_. The _London Jilt_: Or, The _Politick Whore_, in two parts. _Witts Cabinet_, Twelves, Price bound _One Shilling_. Sundery Conversations, _Twelves_. The great Point of Succession, in _Folio_. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Errors Noted by Transcriber: In several places the first line of a change-ringing chart was damaged or missing; since these lines always read “123456” they are not separately noted. Brackets in the body of the text are in the original. _Infirmity_, _Age_, _Station_, _Degree_, may render [_“may” printed in emphatic type like preceding words_] Give him sharp, as well as gentle, Courses [“as as well as”] a bag of Chaff, and thresh’d Ears [“aud”] a-cross these Paths, hollow, [“Paths ,ollow,”] your Rods about twelve Inches long [_“a-/about” at line break_] To sharpen your _Hook_, carry a little _Whetstone_. [_“a / a” at line-break] curiously Flourishing their several Orient and bright Colours [“Flourishng”] without breaking or circling the Water [_“the / the” at line-break] Oyl of _Aspray_, _Coculus India_, and _Assa Fœtida_ [“Fætida”] and skilfully argue and dispute its Excellency, _&c. [, for .] Warm and well lined [_“and / and” at line-break] whose _Lord Mayor_ annually appears [“annnally”] This will go a 120 _Changes_, and by making _Bobs_, 240, 360, 720. [_text has “270” for 720_] for the Use _Bells_ in Sacred Offices [_text unchanged: “the Use of Bells”?_] _Colledge Triples_ ... 2415367 [2415357] and 4, 8 for the _Fourth_ [“for for”] Thus much shall suffice for my treating of Ringing [“Riging”] _i. e._ not striking your Ball cleanly [“i,e,”] The great Point of Succession, in _Folio_. [, for .] Invisible letters: “Invisible” means that the letter does not appear, but there is an appropriately sized blank space. _Names_, _Degrees_, _Ages_, and _Seasons_ [_a of “Seasons”_] and the _Lim’d_ straws, lapping under their Wings [_d of “Lim’d”_] seek _where to find_ that he prepared for [_w of “where”_] The _greatest Eels_ lurk under Stones [_g of “greatest”_] At the opening of _Mill-dams_ or _Sluces_ [_l of “Sluces”_] lest you make his Limbs sore [_e of “lest”_] the general Method of the whole Peal [_second e of “general”_] Period (full stop) missing or invisible: _Madness._ Lastly, If your Hound be Mad Rub him with a _Brush_ of _Bristles_ over again. Chaffinches_, _Goldfinches_, _Yellow-Hammers_, &c. with _Gray_, or _White Feathers_. render a Practitioner _Excellent_. _Secondly_, Learn to apprehend the Places of the _Notes_. Missing words or letters supplied from 1696 edition, with supplements shown in {braces}; full lines as printed: Thus much for their Names, Degrees{,} and Ages: Now let us next obser{ve} their _proper Seasons_ for Hunting. The _Hart_ or _Buck_, beginneth _fift{een}_ Days after _Mid-Summer-Day_, and l{ast-} eth till _Holy-Rood-Day_. The _Fox_, from _Christmass_, and l{ast-} eth till the _Annunciation of the bless{ed} Virgin Mary_. self all over, but his Nose, keeping the middle, least by touching any Boughe{s} he leave a Scent for the Hounds; And {by} his Crossings and Doublings he will e{n-} deavour to baffle his Pursuers: In th{ese} Cases have regard to your _Old Hou{nds_,} as I said before. When he is _Imbost_ {or} weary, may be known thus: By {his} Creeping into holes, and often lying {N}ow for the _Place_ where to find her, {you} must examine and observe the Sea- {sons} 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 {Tho}rns and Brambles, near Houses: {In} these places you must regard the _Old- ness_ or _Newness_ of her _Forme_ or Seat, rected: In any _Cross-Peal_ {the _Whole} Hunt_ may move either up or down at _Peal{e}s_, as indeed needless; {and my} And thus with little Variatio{n, there} Missing letters stuck to following page: them together to inge{n}der in _January_, _February_, or _March_, as {the} properest End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The School of Recreation (1684 edition), by Robert Howlett *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SCHOOL OF RECREATION *** ***** This file should be named 23776-0.txt or 23776-0.zip ***** This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/7/7/23776/ Produced by Louise Hope, Jonathan Ingram and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. 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