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THE 
 
 SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 AND 
 
 RURAL REPOSITORY 
 
 OF 
 
 GENERAL INFORMATION 
 
 UPON EVERY SUBJECT APPERTAINING 
 TO 
 
 THE SPORTS OF THE FIELD. 
 
 INSCRIBED TO 
 
 THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 THE EARL OF SANDWICH, 
 
 Master of His Majesty s Stag Hounds, 
 
 WILLIAM TAPLIN, 
 
 Author of the Gentleman's Stable Directory, 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON. 
 
 Printed by Thomas Maiden, Sherbourn-Lane, 
 
 OR AND HOOD, LONGMAN 
 
 J. SCATCIIERD, J. WALKER, 
 
 AND J. HARRIS. 
 
 1803. 
 
\1 
 
TO 
 
 THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 THE 
 
 EARL OF SANDWICH, 
 
 I 
 
 MASTER OF HIS MAJESTY'i> 
 STAG HOUNDS. 
 
 Mr Lord, 
 
 T is now twenty Years since your Lordship's 
 Appointment to the Head of his Majesty's 
 Planting Establishment, during which it has ac- 
 quired a Degree of Perfe6tion and Celebrity, 
 hitherto unprecedented in tlie Annals of Sporting- 
 History. From the impressive Influence of your 
 Lordship's philanthropic Rep'l^seritations, every 
 Subordinate within the utmost Limits of your 
 Lordship's Department, has derived an annual 
 Addition, by which the domestic Comforts of his 
 Family have been most happily encreased. The 
 Hospitalities of ^ Swinley Lodge are universally 
 
 Vol. i^ a known, 
 
 ♦ The official Huntinor RcHdence of iLe MaRer of the Srajr 
 Jiounds in W'indfcr Forcfw 
 
'DEDICATION. 
 
 known, and at all Times gratefully recoUecteef^ 
 by that Infinity of Sportsmen who have so re- 
 peatedly experienced their salutary Effects. 
 
 To have had the inexpressible Happiness of par- 
 taking with your Lordship the Pleasures of the 
 Chase during the Whole of that Period ; to have 
 witnessed your Lordship's humane, pohte, and 
 condescending Attention to various Individuals, 
 upon the most distressing Emergencies ; to have 
 been repeatedly honoured by your Lordship's 
 pubhc Patronage and private Favor; are Gratifica- 
 tions of so much Mao-nitude to the Ambition of a 
 Sportsman, that it is impossible to resist the 
 Temptation of dedicating to your Lordship, a 
 Work solely appertaining to the Sports of the 
 Field ; and of pubhcly soUciting Permission to 
 continue, 
 
 With the most unsullied 
 
 Respect and Gratitude, 
 My Lord, 
 Your Lordship's obliged 
 
 And most obedient Servant, 
 WILLIAM TAPLIN 
 
 SloaTie-Square, 
 May i/, 1803.. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 X HE variety of Publications annually an- 
 nounced under sporting titles, with which 
 the contents, upon examination, are found fo 
 ill to accord, firll fuggefted to the Writer, the 
 idea of forming an aggregate of information, 
 frohi whence both entertainment and inftruc- 
 tion (to the young and inexperienced) might 
 be derived. From a review of the works now 
 extant, under titles nearly fimilar, it was 
 found they were the produftions of more than 
 a century paft. TKdIt having been repeatedly 
 re-copied, and repeatedly tranfmitted from 
 one generation to another, are replete with 
 matter nearly obfolete, and fports long fince 
 
 a 2 buried 
 
V.iii PREFACE. 
 
 buried in oblivion. From thefe facts may be 
 inferred, the very trifling utility fiich books are 
 of in the improved fports and refined pohfli of 
 the prefent time ; more particularly when one 
 juft and emphatic remark from the pen of a 
 moft popular writer is adverted to, that there 
 is no fubjeft upon which fo little has been judi- 
 cioufly written, as upon the sports of the 
 FIELD ; and what has iffued from the prefs 
 under titles of attrafting fimilitude, have been 
 much more the efforts of theoretic lucubration, 
 than the refult of praftical knowledge, or per- 
 fonal experience. 
 
 To compenfate for fuch deficiency, is the 
 profeffed purport of die prefent Work ; calcu- 
 lated to recommend itfen to public attention 
 upon no other ground than its originality, and 
 the great variety of ufeful information it will 
 be found to .comprehend. Numerous and di- 
 
 verfified 
 
PREFACE. ' IX 
 
 verfified as the fubjefts are, they will be found 
 largely treated on, and fatisfaftorily explained: 
 not as has been too much the cafe in former 
 publications, by the effufions of literary fer- 
 tility, but clearly demonftrated upon the prac- 
 tical knowledge, and individual experience, 
 of the Author; who, difdaining the fubfer- 
 vient trammels of imitation, has not prefumed 
 to enter into a diffufe difquifition upon any 
 SPORT or SUBJECT in which he has not been 
 perfonally and principally engaged. If the 
 mind of man can be candidly admitted to de- 
 rive fome gratification from its univerfality of 
 rational attainment, fo it is the greateft and 
 mod confolatory ambition of his life, to have 
 engaged in every fport, and to have embarked 
 in every pleafure, upon which thefe Volumes 
 will be found to treat; without a deviation 
 from the line of confiftency, a debafement of 
 dignity, or a degradation of charafter. 
 
 It 
 
X PREFACE, 
 
 It is a long Handing and univcrfally ac- 
 knowledged axiom, that the art of life con- 
 fifts as much in knowing what to avoid, as 
 what to purfue; and this cannot apply w^ith 
 more force or propriety, than to thofe who 
 throw themfelves unthinkingly upon the fafci- 
 nating profpeSs, and uncertain chances, of 
 the SPORTING WORLD; the neceffitous and 
 determined dependents upon which are replete 
 wath numerous barbed and unerring inftru- 
 ments of depredation. To juvenile adven- 
 turers, who feel themfelves inadequate to the 
 tafk of felf-deniaL, and who cannot refill the 
 predominant temptation of engaging in fcenes 
 of fuch duplicity and danger, is earneflly- re- 
 commended an occafional reference to thofe 
 heads in the following Work, which are fully 
 fraught with precautions they may probably 
 Hand much in need of; amongft thefe, bet- 
 ting, COCKING, GAMING, HAZARD, and 
 
 the 
 
PREFACE, XI 
 
 the TURF, will not be found the lead confpi- 
 cuous; the delineations of which are taken 
 with fo much accuracy, that the mod tenacious 
 profeffor of the arts cannot fee! himfelf mate- 
 rially affefted by the correftncfs of the de- 
 fcription. 
 
 Profeffed sportsmen of e\^ery other de- 
 fcription will find no unfair reftraint laid upon 
 their diftinQ: or feparate inquiries, or inveftiga- 
 tions. The horse will be found very fully 
 expatiated upon in all its Jiatcs and Jtages, as 
 well in SICKNESS as in health. The chase, 
 of every particular kind, will be found to have 
 undergone the mofl: minute defcription ; and 
 its numerous appendages proportionally ex- 
 plained. The exifting game laws are (im- 
 plified, and reduced to one comprehenfive 
 Jingle point of view. Lovers of the turf 
 will find themfelves gratified with a recital of 
 
 iu 
 
Xii PREFACE. 
 
 its pafl: and prefent ftate ; as well as with a 
 correft account of the recent racing perform- 
 ances of fome of the moft celebrated horfes of 
 the prefent time. That there will be difcovered 
 fome traits not perfectly pleafing to every indi- 
 vidual muft be prefumed ; but as they are not 
 written by the pen of proftitution, no apology 
 can be neceffary for the unavoidable introduc- 
 tion of TRUTH, particularly under the fcho- 
 laftic retrofpe61ion of 
 
 *"' Vain his attempt who ftrives to pleafe ye aiL*^ 
 
 SPORTING 
 
THE 
 
 SPORTING DICTIONARY 
 
 A. 
 
 Authors, — who have dedicated much time and 
 labour to the infinity of rubje6i:s which thefe Vo- 
 lumes will contain, have been both numerous and 
 refpeftable; and to thofe who are accuftomed to 
 fee things through a fingle medium, it will feem 
 matter of furprife, that any thing x\ew, in'struc- 
 TiVE, or ENTERTAixVixG, (hould bc ftill left worthy 
 of public attention; but when the unceafing influ- 
 ence, and decifive dictates of fafhion; the aboli- 
 tion of old fports, and introdu61ion of new ; the 
 various regulations in, and increafe of, the penal 
 laws for the prefervation of game, and the privileges 
 of killing ; in addition to the great and unprece- 
 dented national exertion in the reformation cf far- 
 Vol. L B rizf.y. 
 
^ SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 ^lERY, fince the publication of the prefent Author's 
 Stable Directory, are takeninto the aggregate; it 
 will be found, by the judicious and enlightened 
 part of the sporting world, that a more modern, 
 comprehenfive, and explanatory work, has not been 
 too foon obtruded upon public patronage. To 
 enumerate individually here, thofe Authors, of 
 the greateft celebrity, whofe endeavours or produc- 
 tions have ftood the higheft in general eftimation, 
 would prove not only unnecefTary, but fuperfluous, 
 as they will of courfe be occafionally adverted to, 
 and remarked upon, under different heads in the pro- 
 grefs of the Work. 
 
 ARTISTS — are gentlemen, the aid of whofc 
 pencils, in the decorative department of fporting 
 publications, is confidered fo immediately neceffary 
 (particularly with the younger branches) in all 
 matters of minutiae requiring accurate reprefentation, 
 that the fuccefs is frequently confidered doubtful 
 and uncertain without the attraftive influence of 
 their profefTional exertions. It has been obferved, 
 and mull be freely admitted, that, till within the 
 laft third of the lafl century, horses, dogs, and 
 GAME, have appeared lefs upon canvas (in propor- 
 tion to the progrefs of the art) than any fubjefts 
 whatever: whether they were thought \t{s worthy 
 the ftudy and pencil of the mafler, or produ6live 
 of lefs emolument, it may not be pofTible, nor is it 
 much to the purpofe, to afcertain. Certain it is, 
 
 thev 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 3 
 
 they have never, at any former period, fo nearly ap- 
 proached the fummit of perfe6lion as at the prefent 
 moment; never were artifts known more emulous . 
 never were liner piftures produced by the foreign 
 pencils of fertility, than are now exhibited by the 
 natives of our own ifland; nor ever were artifts of 
 this defcription fo largely patronized, or fo well 
 rewarded, 
 
 Elmer, whofe paintings of game excited the 
 aftonifhment and admiration of every beholder for 
 forty years paft, has lately paid his laft debt, with 
 one of the beft and moft unfullied characters that 
 ever accompanied man to the grave : but what is 
 equally to be regretted, is the total deftru6lion and 
 lofs of his very valuable colle6lion (foon after his 
 death) by an accidental fire near the Haymarket, 
 where they had been but lately depofited and ar- 
 ranged for exhibition; conftituting an irreparable 
 misfortune to thofe whofe property they were be- 
 come by his deceafe, and no fmall difappointment 
 to connoisseurs, arnongft whom they would moft 
 probably have been divided at fome future period 
 by public fale. 
 
 The PROFESSIONAL artists, or, as they are 
 now more familiarly termed, anirrial painters^ who 
 derive prefent advantage from public protection 
 and perfonal popularity, are not numerous, but 
 truly refpeftable; each enjoying the happy effe6l of 
 
 B2 his 
 
4> SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 his own peculiar excellence, in the gradations of fa- 
 vour, a difcriminating and indulgent public is al- 
 ways fo truly ready to beftow. Of thefe, the names 
 of S-fUBBs^ Gilpin, Marshall, Garrard, and 
 Sartorius, appear the moft prominent. Others 
 there are, but of much inferior note, who do not 
 at prefent promife (by the fpecimens they have dif- 
 played) to foar above the planetary influence of 
 mediocrity. Various produQions of the reft of 
 thofe juft mentioned, have for years in fucceflion 
 graced the exhibition of the Royal Acadeimy at 
 Somerset House, where they have been as repeat- 
 edly honoured with royal as with general approba- 
 tion : but whether it is owing to a fuperiority of 
 good fortune, or to a fuperiority of his genius, 
 Marshall is the only inftance of an artift's having 
 fo early in life, and with fo much rapidity, reached 
 the fummit of princely patronage, as well as the 
 very zenith of profeiTional celebrity, without hav- 
 ing once fubmitted a Tingle produQionof his pencil to 
 the caprice of public opinion at the fhrine of fafh- 
 ion, hitherto confidered the only pofTible and direB: 
 road to Fame and Fortune. 
 
 ABSCESS. — An abfcefs (in either man or beaft) 
 is an inflammatory tumour, conftituting a progref- 
 five formation of matter from fome lerious injury 
 previoufly received by blow, bruife, or accident. 
 It may alfo proceed from plethora, or grofs hu- 
 mours originating in a too vifcid (or acrimonious) 
 
 ft ate 
 
SPORTING DICTIO-VAKY. O 
 
 /late of the blood; as well as a morbid difpoiitiou 
 of the fluids; and many degrees of latent ill ufage, 
 to which HORSES are inceffantly fubjeQ, from the 
 too well-known and irremediable inhumanity of the 
 lower claffes, to whofe fuperintendence and manage- 
 ment they are unavoidably, and muft inevitably, 
 continue to be entrufled. From whatever caufc an 
 abcefsmay proceed, judicious difcrimination fliould 
 be expe6led and enjoined from the practitioners em- 
 ployed; many of whom (particularly of the old 
 fchool) poffefs, and indulge in, the unhappy fatali^ 
 ty of endeavouring to counteract Nature, and to fet 
 all her powerful efforts at defiance. Under this mifta- 
 ken notion o^fcientijic praBice^ in fuch and fimilar 
 cafes,* great difficulties frequently arife; not more in 
 refpe6l to the very evident ill eff*e8: of erroneous 
 treatment, but in the difappointment occaiioned 
 by a procraftination of cure. 
 
 The very bafis and foundation of an abfcefs be- 
 ing a cavity continually enlarging internally by the 
 propulfive force of matter collecting within, will 
 fufficiently demonftrate the inconfiderate folly, 
 and extreme obftinacy, of endeavouring to repel, 
 by the interpofing and improper power of fpirituous 
 repellents, or faturnine aftringents, what Nature is 
 making her mod ftrenuous efforts to difcharge. In 
 all flight and fuperficial appearances of tumefaction, 
 where there are no immediate or ftrong figns of fup- 
 puration, the ufe of moderate repellents may be 
 
 B 3 adopted 
 
6 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 adopted with judgment, and in moft cafes with fuc- 
 cefs; but when the predominant, and aimoft in- 
 variable, fymptoms of increafed fweiling, great 
 heat, with pricking and darting fenfations, (in the 
 human frame,} or vifible increafe of the enlarge- 
 ment, and palpable pain upon prefTure, in the horse, 
 denote the formation of matter to be going on, all 
 attempts at repulfion muft be inftantly laid afide; not 
 only as nugatory, but as tending to mifchief in the 
 extreme. Such treatment perfevered in, would evi- 
 dently not only retard, but pofitively dejlroy^ every 
 chance of ultimately effefting a purpofe, for which 
 alone the experiment could have been made. The 
 confequence would foon prove decifive, by a termi- 
 nation in either an indurated tumour, a fixed fchir- 
 rus, a partial and imperfetl: fuppuration, a fiftulous 
 wound, or an inveterate and ill-conditioned ulcer. 
 As, however, it is not intended to extend the Work 
 to a complete fyftem of anatomy, surgery, physic, 
 or FARRIERY, but to render its utility more general 
 and difiPufive, reference muft be occafionally and 
 neceffarily made to the profefTors of either, or to 
 the books particularly appropriated to the fubjcB 
 of each. 
 
 ACADEMY, — which for time immemorial has 
 been in ufe to fignify a feminary for youth only, 
 has at length acquired, by the refinement o^fajhion^ 
 the honour of giving more dignity to what has hither- 
 to pafled under the denomination of a riding 
 
 school; 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. jf 
 
 school; now transformed, by the fu-blimity of 
 the fuperior clafTes, into an " equestrian aca- 
 t)EMY;" of which more will be found under the 
 proper and diftind heads of Manege and Rid- 
 ing School. 
 
 ACCLOYED — is almoft obfolete, and will be 
 buried in oblivion with the laft farrier of the old 
 fchooL It has been formerly ufed to fignify an in- 
 jury fuftained in the foot by (lioeing; as when a nail 
 had fwerved from its proper direction, and pun6lured 
 (or preffed too clofe upon) the membranous mafs 
 fo as to occafion lamenefs, the horfe was then faid 
 to be " accloyed:" but no well-founded deri- 
 vation is to be difcovered for a term of fo much 
 ambiguity. 
 
 ACHE;— -pain arifing from different caufes, ori- 
 ginating in blows, wounds, inflammations, and colds; 
 as for inftance, the chronic rheumatism, which 
 may be termed a continual ach^. 
 
 ACRIMONY— is a flate of the blood difpofed 
 to only certain degrees of difeafe, by the quantity of 
 ferum becoming too great for the proportion of 
 craffamentum, with which, in its flate of aBive flu- 
 idity^ it is combined for the purpofe of regular cir- 
 culation, fo invariably neceffary to the ftandard of 
 health. Blood thus divefted of its adhefive proper- 
 ty, foon difplays in horses a tendency to what are 
 
 B 4 termed 
 
^ SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 termed acrimonious difeafes, originating in, and 
 dependent upon, the impoverifhed ftate to which it 
 is reduced. Hence arifes a train of trouble and 
 difquietude more vexatious than alarming, more 
 troublefome than expenfive; as cracked heels; cuta- 
 neous eruptions of the dry and fcur/y kind; a dingy, 
 variegated, unhealthy hue of the coat; and frequent- 
 ly a feemingly half Jiarved contraction of the crest. 
 Thefe palpable effe8s of acrimony in the blood, 
 are produced much more by the penury and indif- 
 ference of the mafter, (or the negleH of his fer- 
 vant,) than any difpofition to difeafe in the horfe. 
 Experience has fufficiently proved, that a fufficient 
 quantity of proper and healthy food is fo indifpen- 
 fably requifite for the fupport of the frame, and 
 every office of the animal oeconomy, that a want 
 of fuch due fupply mufl be produ6tive of acrimony 
 in a greater or a lefs degree ; to obtund which, and 
 counteraft its effe6is, recourfe muft be had to ali- 
 mentary invigorants and antimonial alteratives, as 
 will be found more medically explained in ^' The 
 Gentleman's Stable DireElory ;'' or, " Taplin's Com- 
 pendium of Farriery y 
 
 ACTION— is a word in conftant ufe with the 
 spORriNG world, and horfe-dealing fraternity, to 
 exprefs the peculiar property of a horfe by hh good 
 or had aftion : fpeaking of him as a fubjeft pofl'eiTing 
 fuperior powers, he is called '' a horfe of exceeding 
 fine action/' meaning it to he underilood, he is 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 9 
 
 not to be found fault with ; that he is calculated to 
 make a very valuable roadder, " as he trots within 
 himfelf (that is, with eafe to himfelf) fourteen or 
 Jijteen miles an hour;'' implying an unequivocal 
 proof of his fpeed in that pace: that he goes in high 
 ftyle, " well above his ground;" meaning, that he 
 lifts his legs light, quick, and freely, without 
 dwelling or trippings fo as to be entitled to the de- 
 grading appellation of " a daify cutter," by going 
 J,oo near, and of courfe always liable to fall, 
 
 ADDER STUNG, — a term indifcriminately ap- 
 plied to the bites or ftings of venomous animals and 
 infefts without diftinftion ; and this probably arofc 
 from the frequent difcovery of fuch accidents, 
 without being able to afcertain the caufe, or from 
 \vhat enemy the injury was fuftained. horses, as 
 well as DOGS, are fometimes bit by the viper, 
 (called an adder J flow^v/orm, or eft; but much 
 more frequently flung by hornets, wafps ; a large 
 gold-coloured, long-bodied, glittering fly, called, 
 ^' a horfe-ftinger;" or other poifonous infecis, w-ith 
 which, in the fummer months, the funny banks of 
 paftures fo infinitely abound. In all injuries of this 
 kind, bleeding (pretty freely in refpe6^t to quantity) 
 fliould precede every other confideration ; as in-r 
 ftantly unloading the veffels mull greatly contribute 
 to the intent of reducing prefent and preventing 
 farther inflammation. For fome generations, unc- 
 tuous and oily applications have been in general 
 
 I ufe. 
 
iO SKIRTING DI€TI0NARV. 
 
 life, without any well-founded reafon, or eftablifhed 
 proof, of their being either infallible or efficacious ; 
 but in the prefent and enlightened ftate of much- 
 improved praftice, frequent fomentations of warm 
 vinegar, an aqueous folution of fal. armoniac, or 
 the vegeto mineral water of a pretty ftrong con- 
 fiftence, may be fafely and advantageoufly pre- 
 ferred ; affifting the general effort with fmall dofes 
 4:>f nitre Siud gum arahic^ to allay inflammation, and 
 attenuate the blood. 
 
 ADULTERATION— is the too prevalent cuf- 
 tom of lowering the ftrength of fpirits by the profit- 
 able addition of water, thereby reducing the quality 
 by increafing the quantity ; or, in words of lefs para> 
 doxical import, by a moft deceptive proftitution of 
 integrity on one fide, and an equally fliameful im- 
 pofition upon friendly confidence on the other. 
 This fpecies of lawlefs tergiverfation, bad as it is, 
 cannot be confidered fo truly unprincipled, fo 
 flritlly iniquitous, or fo cruelly deftru8:ive, as the 
 adulteration of medicine : this has been for a long 
 time pafl ih^ purejl privilege o^ iY,^ ^roit^ion^ and 
 tnay be candidly concluded the moll predominant 
 and befl-founded reafon that can be afTigned for the 
 unprecedented increafe of chemists and druggists 
 in every part of the kingdom. The fuperior art of 
 adulteration confifls (with the adept) in fo fecurely 
 incorporating the cheap and inferior fubflitute with 
 the genuine and higher priced article of the Materia 
 2 Medica, 
 
St>ORTING DlCTlOMAPvY. I'l 
 
 Medica, as to infure the additional profit, and 
 (fecundum artem) efcape deteaion. To this purity 
 of principle, this fpecies of profeffional privilege, 
 it is, that individuals of opulence and liberality 
 ftand indebted for the difappointments they have 
 experienced in the expetted efficacy of " prefcrip- 
 tions faithfully prepared." 
 
 AGE. — The age is generally a leading queftion 
 refpeding any horfe offered for fale ; and this is at 
 all times to be afcertained with more certainty by 
 the ftate of the teeth than any other means what- 
 ever; unlefs he has undergone the fecret operation 
 of a DEALER, known by the appellation of " bijiop" 
 ing^'" which will be found defcribed under that 
 head. 
 
 When a horfe is more than fix years old, he is 
 then termed an aged horfe ; from which time till 
 feven^ the cavities in his teeth fill up; and from 
 feven to eight years old, (varying a little in different 
 fubjeBs,) the mark is entirely obliterated, by which 
 his age can no longer be perfeBly known. De- 
 prived of this criterion, general obfervations mull 
 be reforted to, upon which only a tolerable (though 
 fometimes an uncertain) opinion may be formed. 
 IT the teeth ^rc very l©ng and difcoloured, ragged 
 at the edges, with either the upper or lower pro- 
 jefting beyond the other; the flefhy ridges (called 
 bars) of the upper jaw become fmooth and con- 
 traded ; 
 
12 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 traBed; the tongue lean and wrinkled at the fides; 
 the eyes receding from their former prominence, 
 and a hollow and ghaftly indentation above the 
 orb; the knees projefting beyond the fliank-bone, 
 and overhanging the fetlock, as well as a knuckling 
 or bending forward of the lower joints behind; 
 little time need be loft in looking for farther proofs ; 
 old age is approaching very faft. For age by the 
 teeth, fee Colt. 
 
 AGUE, — a fever of the intermittent kind, which 
 was for many years a matter of doubt and contro- 
 verfy, whether fevers of this defcription exifted in 
 the horfe, or merely in the brain of the farrier; 
 Avhen, after long inveftigation, ftrift attention, and 
 fteady obfervation, by praQitioners of the firft emi- 
 nence, the point is at length acceded to ; and it is 
 admitted that horses are fubje6l to, and attacked 
 with, intermittents, bearing an affinity to the 
 quotidians^ tertians^ and quartans^ of the human 
 fpecies. 
 
 ^GYPTIACUM— is a well known and long ef- 
 tabliflied external application in veterinary praftice, 
 and is thus prepared. 
 
 Take of verdigreafe, finely powdered, five oun- 
 ces; honey, fourteen ounces; the beft white wine 
 vinegar, feven ounces; mix and boil them over ^. 
 gentle fire to the confiftence of treacle or honey. 
 
 This 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. l3 
 
 This article, \vhich has fo long pafled under the 
 denomination of an ointment, and was To called in 
 the London Difpenfatory of the College of Phyfi- 
 cians, produces, without any additional procefs, 
 (but merely by Handing, and depofiting its fedi- 
 ment,) another name for a part of xht fame prepara- 
 tion in this way : the groffer parts fubfiding, con- 
 ftitute a more fubftantial confiftence at the bottom^ 
 which is the article termed .£gyptiacum: the fluid 
 or thinner part, floating upon the furface, is the 
 mildeft in its effeft, and called, by medicinal prac- 
 titioners, MEL .tGYPTiAcuM. The property of both 
 (one being a degree flronger than the other, and 
 may be ufed feparately, or fliaken together, accord- 
 ing to the effetl required) is to aflill in cleanfing 
 inveterate and long-ftanding ulcers ; to keep down 
 fungous fiefh ; and to promote the floughing off of 
 fuch foul and unhealthy parts of the furface, as 
 prevent new granulations from arifing to conilitute 
 the incarnation neceflary to a found and permanent 
 reftoration of parts. They are articles of acknow- 
 ledged utility in the hands of judicious and expe- 
 rienced praQitioners; but the furor of folly has 
 fometimes rendered them medicines of 7n if chief with 
 thofe who have never heard, or do not condefcend 
 to recoiled, the trite but exprefiive adajge, that 
 '' the fhoemaker fliould never go beyond his laft." 
 This is the cafe when the lower clalfes o[ farriers, 
 fmitks, coachmen^ and grooms^ attempt to cure the 
 greafe, cracked heels, &c. with the articles de- 
 fer! bed. 
 
14 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 fcribed, conftituting to a certainty, " the remedy 
 ^v^orfe than the difeaJeS' 
 
 AIR- — is the element in which we breathe; a 
 floating (or fluftuating) fluid, with which we are 
 imperceptibly furrounded, and by whofe elaftic 
 property we are enabled to exift. A philofophic 
 enquiry into, or definition of, the very air itfelf, 
 is not to the purpofe here ; nor, indeed, without a 
 demonftrative and pra6i:ical apparatus, can its won- 
 derful properties be perfectly underilood. 
 
 Its various effefts upon both the body and the 
 mind of man-, as well in ficknefs as in health, can- 
 not be loft even upon the leaft fenfible and leaft 
 ruminative obferver ; who is in the conftant enjoy- 
 ment of thofe great bleffings, air^ healthy and 
 exercife ; for he finds himfelf affeded (and fre- 
 quently like Pope's ruftic hero, who " whiftled as 
 he went for want of thought") in different ways^ 
 and by every breeze, without knowing why : he 
 meltingly fubmits one day to the sun; h^ Jkrinks 
 another from the cold : he is depreffed, even to 
 melancholy, with the heavy gloom and denfe at- 
 mofphere to day ; and elated, almoft beyond the 
 power of exprefTion, by the exhilarating, temperate^ 
 clear and lucid flcy of to-morrow. If then the fpi- 
 rits are thus not only fairly confidered, but fully 
 proved, the thermometer of mental fenfations, upon 
 which the air (or rather its change) is found to 
 
 operate 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. l^Ji 
 
 Operate with fo much palpable efFe6i; who fhaU 
 prefume to doubt its phyfical influence upon thej 
 human frame, fo far as is applicable to the intra- 
 du6tion of difeafe, or the re-eftablifliment of health ? 
 
 Thus much it has been unavoidably necefTary to 
 introduce by way of proof, that the human frame 
 being fo affefted by the extremes of heat and coW, 
 davips or drynefs^ fuch proportional effefts (though 
 not probably in diretlly the fame way) may be pro- 
 duced by the fame means upon the animal world, 
 who pofTeffing no power of communication, we 
 cannot derive informationbut by means of obferva- 
 tion upon the original caufe and relative effect. As 
 for inftance ; if the air is too much impregnated 
 with cold, moiil, damp particles between the chill- 
 ing fhowers of hazy weather, the body (particularly 
 of invalids and valetudinarians) is much more dif- 
 pofed to, arid fufcepiible of, morbidity, than in a 
 more temperate and fettled ftate of the atmofphere. 
 This, proceeding from a collapfion of the porous 
 fyitem, occafions flight indifpofition with thoufands, 
 who are fenfibly affefted by laflTitude and difquie- 
 tude, not reaching difeafe; whilfl: in others more 
 irritable, it is foon produQive of coughs, fore 
 throats, fevers, inflammations of the lungs, and 
 various other diforders. North winds are confider- 
 ed bracing, healthy, and invigorating, to good, 
 found conftitutions; tliough they are always com- 
 plained of bv ihofc of delicate and tender habits; 
 
 and 
 
iS ' 5?0?.T!NG DICTIONARY. 
 
 and there can be no difference of opinion upon the 
 fa6l, that dry feafons are more conducive to health 
 and fpirits than thofe of a contrary defcription. 
 
 AIR, — a technical term in the manege, which can 
 be but little explained in theory ; a perfe6l know- 
 ledge of thefe terms can only be acquired in the 
 pra6tice of the fchools. 
 
 AIRING; — the taking of horfes from the liable 
 to the enjoyment of air and exercise. 
 
 ALE, — the good old healthy Englifh beverage, 
 brewed from malt, hops and water, alone^ with no 
 intoxicating or deleterious articles of adulteration. 
 It is an excellent extemporaneous fubftitute for 
 gruely in cafes of emergency with horfes, where it 
 is required as a vehicle in which to difTolve and ad- 
 minifter medicine to prevent delay, as in cliolicj 
 Jlranguryj &:c. 
 
 ALOES — is a rcfinous gum, extraQed from the 
 tree whofe name it bears, and is brought to us 
 chiefly from the ifland of Barbadoes. The fhops 
 produce two forts, called Succotrine and Barba- 
 does; the former of which is the mildejl ; but the 
 latter moft in ufe, to infure the certainty of operation. 
 1 1 is the principal ingredient in'purging balls for horfes. 
 
 ALTERATIVES.— Medicines are fo called 
 which conditute an effect upon the fv Item, or an 
 
 alteration 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 17 
 
 alteration in the property of the hlood^ ^vithout any 
 fenfible internal or vifible external operation. 
 Upon their introduction to the ftomach, they be-^ 
 come incorporated with its contents; and their 
 medical properties being taken up by the chyle, is 
 conveyed through the lymphatics to the blood-vef- 
 fels, where it becomes a part of the blood itfelf, 
 which being fully impregnated with the neutralizing 
 property of the article adminiftered as an altera- 
 tive, poffefTes the power of obtunding acrimony, 
 and reftraining tendency to difeafe. 
 
 Of all the claffes of medicines, none can be more 
 proper or applicable than alteratives, to thofe wha 
 cannot make it convenient to let their horfes un- 
 dergo a regular routine of purgation at the accuf- 
 tomed feafons ; as during the adminiftration of al- 
 teratives (mercurials excepted) a horfe may go 
 through the fame occafional work, and diurnal dif- 
 cipline, as if he w^as under no courfe of medicine 
 whatever. The alteratives moft defervedly efteem- 
 ed, are antimony, fulphur, nitre, (in fmall quan- 
 tities,) cream of tartar, ^Ethiops mineral, and the 
 antimonial alterative powders of the Author, to be 
 found in the lift of his medicines at the conclulion 
 of the Work. 
 
 ALUM — ^is an article too well known in the 
 (hops, to require farther defcription, than its me- 
 dical utility, when, upon any en>ergency, it may be 
 
 Vol. I. C advantageoufly 
 
l'^ SPORTING DICTIONARY.. 
 
 advantageoufly brought into ufe. Reduced to fine 
 powder, and applied as a Jlyptic to the mouths of 
 divided vefiels, to flop the efFufion of blood, it 
 will be found very efhcacious. Diffolved in water, 
 the proportion of one ounce to a pint^ it is an infal- 
 lible cure for the foul white fpecks, or little watery 
 puftules, fo frequently feen in the mouths of 
 horfes, (and fuppofed to arife from internal heat,) 
 the parts being twice or thrice touched with a piece 
 of fine fponge, properly moiftened with the folution. 
 Burnt alum, finely powdered, and fprinkled, very 
 lightly, upon the fungous flefh of old or foul 
 wounds, will fpeedily reduce it, and promote the 
 €ure. 
 
 ALIMENT — has, in general acceptation, been, 
 received as a word ftridly fynonimous with food; 
 and, like that term, been intended to imply fupport 
 of any kind, in either a folid or a liquid form. 
 One of the publications with which the prefs fo 
 frequently teems, from the fertile pens of juvenile 
 veterinarians, fays, ^' By aliment, fome under- 
 ftand only the nutricious part of the food ; but this 
 is a nice and ufelefs diftin6lion. Mr. Taplin ufes 
 the word aliment in both fenfes." 
 
 To fet this upon better ground, for the corapre- 
 henfion of all matters relative to bodily fuftenance,. 
 the animal ceconomy, its natural fecretions and 
 evacuations, it is necefiary a criterion fhould be 
 
 fixedj 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 19 
 
 fixed, by which its intentional meaning fhould be 
 generally underftood. It has been hitherto ufed 
 in the previous Works of the prefent Author, not 
 as fynonimous with either food or nutriment, 
 but in a fenfe diredly between hoth^ and for this 
 reafon. Food may feed a frame, and prolong 
 exiftence; though, from its weak, improper, or im- 
 poverifhed quality, it may not poffefs the effential 
 property requifite to generate blood, create flefli, 
 or promote ftrength. 
 
 The word aliment feems intended to convey an 
 idea fomewhat fuperior to the meaning expreffed 
 in the i^xmfood^ and yet not extend fo far as the 
 mind may lead us, in the comprehenfive view of 
 the word nutriment; for, although mouldy hay, 
 or mufty ftraw, may be taken by an animal, in a 
 date of hunger and neceffity, to fupport life, it 
 does not follow that ^xom fuch food a proper portion 
 of nutriment can be conveyed to the frame. Ali- 
 ment, therefore, upon every occafion, in which it 
 will be found neceflary to introduce it during the 
 courfe of this Work, muft be confidered as a term 
 intended to convey an idea of fupport (in any way 
 whatever) adequate to health, and a ftate of ufeful 
 fervice; in the dire6l line of mediocrity between 
 the Jiarving exijlence of a " \iiinter ftraw yard," 
 near the metropolis, and the nutritious and invigo- 
 rating fyftem neceflary for the invalid recovering 
 from a ftate of emaciation, or the feverity of difeafe. 
 
 C 2 AMBLE, 
 
^ SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 AMBLE, — the pace in a horfe, almoft pecuUar 
 to country people, with poneys and galloways bred 
 upon commons : its eafe renders it convenient to 
 women, and pleafing to children ; but it is in very- 
 little ufe with any other part of the world, 
 
 AMBURY, or Anhury^ — is a complicated ex- 
 crefcence, bearing the appearance of a warty wen. 
 Various have been the modes of cure ; to prevent 
 an unneceffary enumeration of which, will be to 
 obferve, that they may be fafely extirpated, and 
 completely cured, by carefully moillening the fur- 
 face, once in every three or four days, with the hut-- 
 tcr o{ antimony^ till they are obliterated ; and this 
 will certainly be effeBed, whatever may be their 
 lize or magnitude. 
 
 ' AMPHIBIOUS — animals, are thofe capable 
 of living both upon land and in the water, as the 
 otter, the water rat, the eft, &c. 
 
 AMPHITHEATRE— is an elegant and com- 
 modious ftrufture, either circular or oblong, for 
 the difplay of feats of horfemanfliip, poney races, 
 fox hunts, and the exhibition of pantomimes. 
 Mr. Astley's, near Weftminfter Bridge, has for 
 many years been aj|£avourite refort v»'ith the public; 
 but he now finds a powerful rival in the Circus, 
 Mr. Aflley's (kill in the military art of attack and 
 defence^ as well as his fuperior ftyle of teaching in 
 
 th^ 
 
STORTING DICTIONARY. 21 
 
 the MANEGE, have jointly increafed his reputation, 
 and encouraged hinri to tranfmit to poflerity, ^' A 
 Syftem of Equeftrian Education." 
 
 . ANATOMY,— the ftudy and knowledge of the 
 flruQure of the human frame in all its component 
 parts; an accurate knowledge of which can only 
 lead the pr-aQitioner in furgery to the moft diflant 
 hope of eminence in his profeiTion, or celebrity in 
 his practice. A proficiency in the anatomical for- 
 mation of the horfe, is every way as neceffary to the 
 fuccefs of the veterinarian, as the utmolt efforts of 
 ftili to the furgeon- 
 
 ANGLING— is the art of catching fifii by rods 
 and lines, of different conftru6lion, with baits, na- 
 iural and artificial^ according to the feafon of the 
 year^ and the fifh intended to be caught. As this 
 fport (if it may with confiftency be termed oncy is 
 not very eagerly fought, and enjoyed but hy Jew ^ 
 it will not be much enlarged on here; more parti- 
 cularly as thofe who ent^r into the minutiae of 
 enquiry, and fpirit of the praBice^ will find whole 
 volumes appropriate to this particular purpofe. A 
 writer of no fmall celebrity, in alluding to this 
 fxibjeQ:, fays, " fishing is but a dull diverfion, 
 and, in my opinion, calculate(^only to teach pa- 
 tience to a philosopher;" and this moft likely is 
 tlie echoed opinion o^ ev try fox-hunter in the king- 
 dom ; for it fhould feem that the fimple famenefs 
 
 C 3 'of 
 
22 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 of anglings and the more noble, healthy and exhi* 
 liarating fports of hunting and shooting, were, 
 in a certain degree, heterogeneous^ as it has been 
 but very rarely or ever known, that the enthufiaftic 
 admirers of one were ever warm or anxious followr 
 ers of the other^ 
 
 The kinds of fifh which moflly attra6): the atten- 
 tion of anglers in the principal frelh water rivers 
 and trout flreams of the kingdom, (whether for the 
 fport of killing, or the fupply of the table,) are 
 Jalmon^ trout^ fike, barbel^ chub, perch, roach^ 
 dace, and gudgeon : carp and tench may alfo be 
 taken into the aggregate, upon the fcore of attrac- 
 tion ; but inftances are few where any great quan- 
 tity has been taken in this way, as they are, in 
 general, particularly in ponds, motes, and ftill 
 waters, too fhy and cautious to become the hafty 
 viQims of human invention. 
 
 Upon the fubjeft of angling, it may not be in- 
 applicable to term it a moft unjortunate attachment 
 with thofe clafles of fociety who have no property 
 but their trades, and to whom tirae alone muft be 
 confidered a kind of freehold eflate : fuch time loft 
 by a river fide, in the frivolous and uncertain pur- 
 fuit of a paltry pla«:e of fifh, inftead of being em- 
 ployed in buiinefs, has reduced more men to want, 
 and their families to a workhouje, than any fpecies 
 of fport whatever. Racing, hunting, fhooting^ 
 
 courfmg. 
 
C1>0RTING DICTIOXARY. 23 
 
 ^ourfing, and cocking, (deftruBive as the latter has 
 been,} have never produced i'o long a liR of beg- 
 gars as the fublime art of angling ; in confirmation 
 of which faQ, the eye of obfervation need only 
 turn to any of thofe fmall country towns near 
 which there happens to run 2i fijhing ftreavi^ when 
 the profitable part of the pleafure may be inflantly 
 perceived by the poverty of the inhabitants. 
 
 ANISEEDS — are the produce of a plant culti- 
 vated much more in France, Spain, and Germany, 
 than in any part of England. Thofe from Spain 
 are preferred; they have a fragrant fmell, a warm 
 pleafant tafte, v/ith fome degree of fweetnefs. 
 When reduced to powder, they form a principal 
 and efficacious ingredient in the preparation of the 
 pe6loral cordial balls for horfes, where their virtues 
 are fully admitted. They yield, by exprefTion, an 
 aromatic effential oil, containing all the medical 
 property of the feeds, and is moftly imported to us 
 from other parts ready prepared. Eeing an article 
 of fome expence, it is very much adulterated with 
 fperma caeti, and other articles, for the profitable 
 purpofes of retail, by the fecundum arttm abilities 
 of the parties concerned. Thofe who expe8: any 
 efficacious effeQs from the anifeed powder, fhould 
 grind (or fee ground) the feeds themfelves; for the 
 article fold in the fhops under that name, is neither 
 more or lefs, than the anifeed cakes reduced to 
 powder in the common ftock mill of the druggifl, 
 
 C 4 from 
 
0,4; SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 from whence the effential oil has been prevjoufly 
 extracted. 
 
 ANTIMONY — is, in its original ftate, a mineral, 
 extraded and feparated from different ores by a pecu- 
 liar procefs of eliquation; the various medical prepa- 
 rations from which, in the prefent ftate of hourly in- 
 creafing improvement, abfolutely excite both fur- 
 prife and admiration. This article, now known 
 and proved of fach general utility, was alternately 
 received into, and rejefled from, a refpe8:able rank 
 in medicine, by both the ancients and moderns, till 
 the more judicious and perfevering fpeculatifts ef- 
 tabliihed its eftimation upon a bafis too firm ever 
 to be again fhaken by the attack of whatever new 
 opinions may be introcjuced for its degradation. 
 
 The crude antimony, when reduced to a fine 
 and impalpable powder, is in many diforders full 
 as efRcacious as its more fubtle and elaborate pre- 
 parations ; this obfervation appertaining to its effe61s 
 upon the human frame, to which it is adminiftered 
 in all forms, by the moft learned and eminent phy- 
 ficians in every part of the enlightened world. In 
 refpecl to its correfponding elfe8; upon one of our 
 moft ufeful animals, the horse, experience has 
 proved it to be a fafe and certain medicine to ob- 
 tund acrimony, promote the fecretions, open the 
 pores, refine the coat, and finally enfure condition; 
 hence it ftands the principal ingredient in the well 
 
 known 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 25 
 
 known advertifed " Alterative Powders" of the 
 Author. 
 
 ANTLERS, — ufed under different fignifications 
 to explain the various branches of what is called 
 the head (but diverted of technical terms, the horns) 
 of a deer. Except with the huntfmen of flag 
 hounds, the keepers of parks, and out keepers of 
 forefts and chaces, the infinity of old terms and 
 diflindions are become nearly obfolete ; and an tlers 
 amongfl fportfmen, as well as fporting rhymeflers, 
 are now conceived to imply the ^vhole head (alias 
 ikt horns) of the dt^er. 
 
 APERIENTS— are medicines which mildly fof^ 
 ten the contents of the inteftines, and gently pro- 
 mote moderate evacuation, without producing the 
 flrong and repeated effects of phyfic, given with 
 an intent to purge, 
 
 APERTURE; — a term in farriery, applied to 
 the orifice or opening of a tumour or abcefs, whe- 
 ther made by Nature, or by perforation with the 
 inflrument of the operator: in either cafe the prin- 
 cipal confideration mufi. be, to have it fufficiently 
 large for the tranfpiration of the offending matter 
 for which the effort was made; if in that refpeft it 
 is deficient, relief muft be obtained from the hand 
 of the veterinarian. 
 
 APOPLEXY, 
 
^6 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 APOPLEXY, — in horfes, a paralytic affection 
 of the brain, from too great or fudden flux of 
 blood to the part, too powerful exertions of ftrength 
 in drawing fubftances over heavy, or fome pre-dif- 
 pofing tendency to inflammation. 
 
 APPUI — is a term ufed in equeftrian education; 
 a perfeft knowledge of which, Mr. Afl;ley is of 
 opinion, " can only be acquired in the manege, by 
 great pradice, under judicious, experienced and 
 able profeffors." 
 
 APPETITE, — if good, in either man or beaft, 
 ought to be, and in mofl; cafes is, a clear criterion 
 and proof of health. However, inftances are not 
 wanting, where a rule fo feemingly juft is fome- 
 times fubje8; to exceptions. The quantity of good 
 and healthy food taken into the frame, is by no 
 means an infallible proof of fl:rength, or of what 
 work the fubjeQ: is, or ought to be, equal to : 
 fome horfes are the greateftj/Z2i:^5 in nature, though 
 always feeding; while others, who undergo thrice 
 their labour, do not confume even a moderate fliare 
 of what is placed before them. This is probably 
 one of the latent operations of Nature, upon 
 which it fliould feem human penetration is not per- 
 mitted to define, at leaft to a degree of certainty, 
 in refpeB to both origin and effect. Scientific aid, 
 and induflrious invefl:igation, may do much; but 
 •when done, the enquiry will relt upon no better 
 
 grounds 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 2/ 
 
 grounds than undeaned hypothefis, and unconfirmed 
 conjecture. 
 
 Here, then, appears moft forcibly, the inutility 
 of going into an enquiry where no certainty of in- 
 formation can be obtained: the labyrinth of per- 
 plexity is better unentered, than to explore its moft 
 difficult pafTages in the dark, without even a chance 
 of extrication. We have, indeed, been informed 
 by a publication of late years, that " Afpetice is a 
 fainful fenfation of the pmach, always accompanied 
 with a defire to eat:' It might, perhaps, have been 
 lefs " cavier to the multitude," and much nearer 
 the truth, if appetite had been defined, a pleafing 
 fenfation, and hunger a painful one ; particularly if 
 (for the fake of a paradox or an iricifm) " accom- 
 panied with nothing to eat." Waving, therefore, 
 for the foregoing reafons of uncertainty, any intent 
 of going into a farther difquifition of why the appe- 
 tite is good or had, it becomes neceffary to proceed 
 to the faas which are known, and to point out 
 the proper remedies to infure relief. 
 
 When the appetite of a horfe is feemingly never 
 fatisfied; when he difplays an immoderate and im- 
 patient defire for food at all times; when, in failure 
 of repeated fupplies of hay and corn, he is con- 
 ftantly confuming his litter, (although it is none of 
 the cleaneft;) fuch a horfe is generally, and with 
 ■ftria juftice, denomin^^ted a coarfe ^nd foul feeder; 
 
 the 
 
2S SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 the refult of which frequently is, that he foon be- 
 comes as foul in his bloody his coat^ and condition^ 
 as he has previoufly proved himfelf in his inclina- 
 tion. The ready road to relief in a cafe of this 
 kind, is to unload the frame of its accumulated 
 rubbifli by a courfe of phyfic; the rack rein and 
 the muzzle are then fuch eafy alternatives, 
 that thofe who do not chufe, or are too indolent, 
 to adopt theni, mull fit down eafy under the de- 
 
 Some there are who attribute the voracious dif- 
 pofitions, and ftrong digeftive powers, of fuch 
 horfes to their being affeded • with zuorins. Such 
 reafoning may, with more propriety, be attributed 
 to the fertile imagination of thofe advocates, than 
 to any effe8: (of the kind mentioned) in the worms 
 themfelves. That (worms being there) difquieting 
 or painful fenfations, from fome remote or internal 
 caufe, may occafion a horfe to pull out and difperfe 
 his hay, to pick, [crape, and diforder his litter^ in 
 proof of diforder or difcontent, may readily be 
 conceived ; but that abfolute pain from the corro- 
 ding mifery of living in^Q^s, preying upon the very 
 vitah of an animal, fliall give him an increafed ap- 
 petite to eat^ is a dodrine that cannot be fo readily 
 believed. 
 
 Horfes of a contrary defcription, who labour 
 occafionally under a lofs of appetite^ is no fuch 
 
 matter 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 29 
 
 matter of ambiguity as what has been jufl defcribed; 
 but may with certainty be afcribed to its proper 
 caufe, by minutely attending to fuch figns, and 
 predominant fymptoms, as prefent themfelves to 
 the eye, and to the touch of the diligent enquirer. 
 A lofs of appetite in horfes whofe conftitutions are 
 generally good, and who have not been remarked 
 for refufing their corn, or being off' their feed^ fuf- 
 ficiently indicate fome tendency to either flight and 
 temporary indifpofition, or impending difeafe; as 
 cold, cough, febrile heat from the fatigue of a long 
 journey on the road, or exertion in the field; in- 
 teftinal difquietude, from flatulent affection, or 
 pain in the kidnies ; as well as a ftriclure upon the 
 neck of the bladder, proceeding from a preternatu- 
 ral retention of urine, in having travelled too far 
 '^ without drawing bit,'- This is the exulting prac- 
 tice of too many unthinking mafters, and indifcreei 
 fervants; it, however, holds forth no proof of the 
 goodnefs of the head or the heart in either one or 
 the other. This defeft, proceeding from whatever 
 caufe, cannot be too foon properly attended to : 
 early and attentive inveftigation IhouW be made as 
 the firft and moft neceffary ftep to the acquifition 
 of relief. Admitting it to have originated in any 
 of thofe caufes already defcribed, there is very 
 little doubt to be entertained, but a moderate bleed-^ 
 ing, a cordial ball, a mafh o^ ground malt and bran, 
 equal parts, with warm foft v/ater, and a little 
 
 1 nurfmgcj 
 
so SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 nurfing, if expeditioufly proceeded upon, will foon 
 
 fet all to rights again. 
 
 Not fo with thofe whofe defe8: is conftitutional, 
 proceeding from an inexplicable degree of irritabi- 
 lity, fo generally and palpably evident in both atti- 
 tude and aElion ; in the ftable, or out, they nev€r 
 appear perfeQly at eafe; the eye, the ear, feeming 
 alarmed with every found, as if in perpetual fearch 
 of new caufes to keep up the unceafmg fpirit of 
 difcontent and eternal difquietude. Upon the road 
 in company, or in the field with hounds, they in- 
 variably and impatiently court competition, mak- 
 ing the moft violent exertions to prove their great, 
 pafTionate, and ill-tempered defire for fuperiorityj 
 fo that horfes of this defcription, after a journey 
 of fome length, or a chafe of fevere duration, are 
 not only off their appetites for two or three days, 
 but hardly fit to be feen again for a -week. They 
 are moftly light, and what is icrmtd fluey in the car- 
 cafe; carry no flefh, with or without work; and 
 for that reafon , do no credit in appearance to their 
 mafter. Yet, ftrange as it may appear to thofe un- 
 acquainted v/ith the fa£l, horfes or mares of this 
 reftlefs, unfettled difpofition, are almoft fo invaria- 
 bly good and perfevering in nature, that they will 
 continue to exert themfelves, till, becoming totally 
 exhaufled, they muft fink under fatigue, rather than 
 permit themfelves to be reftrained; a palpable con- 
 trail in fpirit to thofe voracious, gummy-legged 
 
 gluttons, 
 
STORTING DICTIONART. 51 
 
 gluttons, who, after an infatiate ferics of gorman- 
 dizing and reft, abfolutely tire (or " knock up'') 
 in the fecond ftage, or Jirji twenty miles^ of a 
 journey. 
 
 This defed, (or more properly deficiency in ap- 
 petite and difinciination of food,} whether proceed- 
 ing from the fiery volatility of temper impatient of 
 reltraint, or a peculiar laxity of the parts neceffary 
 to flrong digeftion, is fo clearly inherent, fo truly 
 conftitutional, that a well-founded expe61ation of 
 permanent relief, or total eradication, is not to be 
 formed upon any change that can be made in food, 
 or improvement in attention. Such horfes, how- 
 ever, if their paces are good, and they are defirable 
 in other refpeds, fhould not be too hajlily dif- 
 pofed of; inftances having been very frequent, 
 where horfes of fuch irritable habit, and fretful dif- 
 pohtion, when young, have, when accuftomed to 
 the fame ftable, gentle ufage, and to one rider on- 
 ly, become as fettled feeders, good goers, round 
 carcafed and firm flefhed horfes as any in the king- 
 dom. Some inducement to feed after the fatigues 
 (or frettings J juft recited, may be attempted by the 
 means before defcribed; few occafions will occur 
 where the malt mafhes will be refufed; the novel 
 fragrancy attrafts attention, and when once taken, 
 its invigorating property foon appears. In cafes 
 where the ftomach continues weak, the carcafe thin, 
 and appetite not reftored, an occafional ufe of the 
 2 • peroral 
 
S2 SPORTING DICTIONARY* 
 
 peHoral cordial halls^ once or even twice a day, 13 
 the proper fubftitute for aliment, and will fel- 
 dom or ever fail Co produce the defired effed. 
 
 AQUATIC, — appertaining to water. Fifh are 
 
 an aquatic produ6lion. Aquatic herbs take root 
 
 in the foil beneath, and vegetate as well below as 
 
 upon thtfurface of the water. An aquatic excur^ 
 
 Jion is a party of pleafure upon the water. 
 
 ARABIC GUM,— is a molt ufeful article to 
 diflblve with water or gruel in the ficknefs of 
 horfes. Nitre fhould never be given without half 
 its quantity of Gum Arabic. 
 
 ARSENIC, — is a mod certain and defl:ru6live 
 poifon, mentioned here only to demonftrate its uti- 
 lity in clearing premifes of rats^ which it will infaU 
 libly do, if made ufe of in the following manner. 
 Take (in the feafon when they are to be obtained) 
 a dozen large apples; let them be pared, and the 
 cores extrafted; then chop them exceedingly fine, 
 till they are almoft a pafle; to which add half an 
 ounce of arfenic, reduced to powder, and two 
 ounces of coarfe fugar; mix well, and let this 
 be diflributed in their ufual haunts^ remembering to 
 let earthen pans be fet with plenty of zvater within 
 their reach; and the fudden thirft they are feized 
 with, after eating the fmalleft quantity of the com- 
 pofition, is fo violent, that they drink till unable 
 
 to 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. S3 
 
 to move from the fpot; and if the preparation is 
 made over night, and the rats are plenty, they will 
 be found in the morning fwelled to the utmoft ex- 
 tent, and lying dead in different parts, as if they 
 had fallen victims to a fafhionable dropfy* 
 
 ARM — of a horfe, is fo called (though it is pro- 
 perly the fore-thigh) from the elbow immediately 
 under the cheft, downwards to the jun6lion at the 
 knee: this fhould be uniformly {!rong and mufcu- 
 lar, being wide at top, and narrowing proportion- 
 ally to the bottom : if it is not fo, but moftly of a 
 fize, it is an evident proof of weaknefs. 
 
 ART VETERINARY— is the prefent impro-^ 
 ved flate of farriery, as taught at a newly efla- 
 blifhedinftitution, called the Veterinary College 
 at Camden Town, in the parifh of Saint Pancras; 
 where the pupils attend lectures upon anato7ny^' 
 phyjiology^ and inedicine^ under a professor of the 
 firll eminence, as well as the praftical part of the 
 bufinefs at the forge and in Jarriery^ till, being 
 properly qualified, they pafs the neceffary exami- 
 nation before a committee of furgeons, when they 
 receive their diploma, and embark for themfelves 
 as veterinary surgeons in the fervice of the pub- 
 lic ; or poffefs the privilege of an immediate ap- 
 pointment in his Majefty's fervice, under the pa- 
 tronage of his Royal Highnefs the Commander in 
 Chief, at a (lipend which does honor to the infti- 
 
 VoL. L 1) tution. 
 
34 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 tution, as will be found more fully explained under 
 its proper head. Veterinary College, 
 
 ASCARIDES — are a fpecies of worms, to 
 which horfes are frequently fubjeQ, from two to 
 three inches long ; they are not larger in circum- 
 ference than a common knitting needle, have a flat 
 head, and in fome degree not unlike the mille- 
 pedes, at lead in refpeft to their number of legs. 
 Thev are in general voided with the dung, where 
 they may be feen twirling and twi fling about wath 
 wonderful rapidity, not unlike a grig, or fmall eel, 
 when thrown out of his own element upon the 
 grafs. Horfes perfecuted with thefe painful and 
 troublefome companions, are generally relaxed in 
 the inteflines, and throw off' their dung in a loofe 
 jlate^ aff'ording, by that circumflance alone, fuffi- 
 eient proof how much they irritate internally, as 
 well as why horfes affeQed with worms^ are not 
 only low in flefli, but rough in coat, and almoft 
 every way out of condition. 
 
 ASTHMATIC— Horfes are confidered ajihma- 
 tic, or thick-winded, who have acquired a difficulty 
 of refpiration, and a fliort huflvy cough, from 
 blood originally denfe and fizey having been per- 
 mitted to become proportionally vifcid, from a 
 want of evacuants and attenuanits in time to have 
 prevented the obftruftions which lay the foundation 
 of this troublefome defed. The vifcidity of the 
 
 blood 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 35 
 
 blood conftituting obftruaions in the finer veflels, 
 produce tubercles in the lungs, which, rendering 
 their aftion partial and imperfeB, occafions the 
 difficulty of breathing, and repetition of cough, fo 
 conftantly obferved during the increafed circulation 
 of the blood, when the horfe is brought into ufe. 
 Frequent bleedings, and a courfe of the Author's 
 Pectoral Detergent Balls, are the befl means 
 of alleviation and cure. 
 
 ASTRINGENTS — is rather a medical than ei- 
 ther a general or fporting term, and implies any 
 article in food or medicine, poffeffing the property 
 of reftraining a too great flux of excrement after 
 phyfic, or a too lax ftate of body, (denominated 
 loofenefs,) proceeding from a previous fulnefs, or 
 from inteftinal acrimony, where the difcharges have 
 been a mere effort of Nature to relieve herfelf from 
 the load, and not in confequence of any purgative 
 whatever. In fuch flaccidity of the inteftines, pro- 
 ceeding from whatever caufe, a cordial ball occa- 
 fionally, fmall quantities of liquid laudanum in 
 gruel, and an ounce of gum arabic diffolved, and 
 given night and morning in the water, will foon 
 reftore them to their proper ftate. 
 
 ATTACHMENTS — Court of, a ceremony or 
 court peculiar to the laws of a foreft, andneceffary 
 to be known only by thofe who refide therein. 
 The officers of this court do no more than receive 
 
 D 2 the 
 
S5 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 the attachments of the forejiers^ and enrol them m 
 the vERDERERs' Tolls, that they may be ready for 
 the court of Jzoainmoie when held. This court of 
 attachments having no power to determine upon 
 cafes of offence or trefpafs beyond the value of 
 fourpence^ all above that fum mufl appear in the 
 verderers' rolls, and be fent by them to the court 
 of fwainmote, there to be tried according to the 
 foreft laws, which are replete with peculiar privi- 
 leges, immunities, and what are termed royalties, 
 appertaining to the Crown itfelf. 
 
 ATTAINT — has been ufed, by members of the 
 old fchool in farriery, for blows, bruifes, cuts, 
 and wounds, fuftained in anyone leg by injuries 
 from the other. As it is, however, nearly obfo- 
 lete, and may probably never be heard again, far- 
 ther expohtion becomes unneceifary. 
 
 ATTRACTION— -is pohtively, in fome re- 
 fpetls, the bed property (if it can be fo termed) 
 a horfe can poffibly polfefs, at lead fo far as it is 
 admitted to exceed every other qualification in its 
 effect upon the mind of the owner during the time 
 he is in poffelTion; as well as no inconfiderable 
 gratification of pecuniary expectation when the 
 horfe comes to be fold. The ^reat advantage 
 arifmg from attraction in a horfe is, that, however 
 'vexatious his defe8:s in refped to temper and action 
 may be, he will never hang upon hand, or the 
 
 owner 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. S7 
 
 ^wner be long in want of a cuftomer, if external 
 figure and good colour do but afford attraclioii in 
 any tolerable degree. There are always tbofe in 
 purfuit of horfes for purcbafe, who more know 
 what conftitutes figure at firjl Jight^ than what 
 conltitutes good points after a week's examination. 
 Two good ends (as the dealers term them) wdl fe.v 
 072, and both up^ go a great way in the failiionable 
 work of attra6lion ; without one or both of which, 
 a horfe can never become a commanding figure, 
 either before or behind ; and, ftrange as it may be 
 thought by the young or inexperienced, there are 
 numerous inftances of horfes bearing, in their ge- 
 neral appearance, a kind of attracting unijormity^ 
 that, upon critical inveftigation, are found not to 
 have any diftmguifhing point of excellence about 
 them. Thofe, however, who have the prudence 
 to bear in memory the efFett of attraBion^ and to 
 fecure it when they buy^ \n\\ never be at much lofs 
 when ih^Y fell: it will be alfo by no means inappli- 
 cable to have it equally " in the mind's eye," that 
 many horfes without attraction are too dear at no- 
 thing, 
 
 ATTIRE — of a deer, See Antlers. 
 
 AVIARY—a receptacle for finging birds of dif- 
 ferent denominations, more adapted to the pleafures 
 of the ladies, than any fyftematic purfuit or enquiry 
 of the fportfman. 
 
 D c> BABBLER 
 
3$ SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 B. 
 
 BABBLER — is a hound upon whofe tongue 
 no firm reliance is to be made, either in drag^ 
 upon trails or the recovery of a fault during the 
 chafe ; fo ftridly true is the well known adage, 
 that " a liar is not to be believed although he 
 fpeaks the truth." 
 
 BABRAHAM — was one of the beft racers of his 
 time; he was bred by Lord Godolphin; foaled 
 in 1740; was got by the Goldophin Arabian out of 
 the large Hartley mare, got by Mr. Hartley's blind 
 horfe ; her dam Flying Wig, by Williams's Wood- 
 ftock Arabian; grand-dam by the St. Vi61or Barb, 
 but of a daughter of Whynot, fon of the Fenwick 
 Barb. He became a stallion of much celebrity, 
 having been the fire of Sir Ifaac Lowther's Babra- 
 ham, Mr. Leedes's Young Babraham, Babraham 
 Blank, Jack of Newbury, Traplin, Aimwell, 
 Louifa, Molly Long Legs, Harry Long Legs, 
 Fop, Lovely, Americus, and many other excellent 
 runners. 
 
 BACK — of a horfe, the very part upon which 
 the centrical point of beauty principally depends. 
 If he is long in the back, narrow acrofs the loins, 
 flat in the ribs, and light in the carcafe, (however 
 well he may be otherways furniflied with good 
 
 points J 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. SQ 
 
 points,) he will never be confidered either a hand- 
 lome or ftrong horfe. Horfes of this defcription 
 are in general good goers as to fpeed^ but very 
 little to be relied on in hard fervicc, or /o?2^ journies. 
 
 BACKING — is the term ufed for the firft time 
 of mounting a colt (or taking feat upon the fad- 
 die) after he has been previoufly handled^ quieted, 
 Jlabled, and accuftomed to the mouthing-bit, the 
 cavezon, martingal, luiiging-rein, faddle, and the 
 whole of the apparatus with which he has been led 
 his different paces in the ring: all this he fhould 
 be brought to fubmit to mod quietly, as well as to 
 the being faddled^ and every part of liable difci- 
 pline, before any attempt is made to hack him; if 
 not, it cannot be termed a fy Hematic completion 
 of the bufinefs. As backing a colt (after every 
 precaution) requires a certain degree of cool and 
 Heady fortitude appertaining principally to the 
 breaker, whofe province it is, (and is but little at- 
 tempted by others,) a minute defcription of the 
 means and ceremony could prove but of little uti- 
 lity here, and is of courfe for that reafon difpenfed 
 with. 
 
 Opinion and praftice have very m.uch varied 
 in refpe8: to the age mofl proper for backing a 
 colt, or even taking him in hand. Not more than 
 half a century paft, colts were never touched (upon 
 the fcore of handling) till rifing foiLr, backed and 
 
 D 4 brought 
 
40 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 brought into very gentle ufe when rifing five^ and 
 never feen in conftant work till nearly ox full fix 
 years old. But fo wonderfully has fafliionable re- 
 finement operated upon the human mind, and fo 
 conftantly is it agitated by the fafcinating effufions 
 of novelty and innovation, that we now find colts 
 handled at two^ broke (and racing) at three^ and in 
 conftant w^ork at four^ in every part of the king- 
 dom; in confequence of which impatient and pre- 
 mature i7nprove7nent upon the judgment and prac- 
 tice of our forefathers, we now daily obferve 
 horfes at five, fix, and feven - years old, more im- 
 paired in their powers, than they formerly were at 
 double that age, to the evident production of 
 ftrained finews, fwelled legs, splents, fprains, wind- 
 galls, and the long lift of ills fo admirably calcu- 
 lated for the fupport of the nev/ generation of ve- 
 terinarians, who are daily emerging from obfcurity, 
 and for whom employment muft neceffarily be ob- 
 tained. 
 
 BACK SINEWS,— fo called in a horfe, are the 
 tendons extending from the junction of the knee, 
 at the back of the.fliiank-bone to the fetlock joint, 
 where they are infertcd. Thefe parts are fo much 
 aded upon, and partake fo palpably of the labour 
 in which the animal is conftantly engaged, that they 
 are eternally liable to injury from over work, roll- 
 ing ftones, deep ground, or projecting prominen- 
 ces in the pavement of large towns. When inju- 
 ries 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 41 
 
 ries of this kind are fevere, and threaten, hy fwelU 
 ing and infammation^ fome duration, a repetition 
 of work fliould be by all means avoided. A 
 fpeedy and permanent cure principally depends 
 upon the firft fteps taken for relief, to which mild 
 treatment, attention, unremitting care, and reft, 
 will conjunaively contribute. In moft cafes too 
 much is done in too Jliort 2. time, to gratify either 
 the impatience of the owner, or the pecuniary fen- 
 fations of his medical monitor; burning applica- 
 tions (increafing the original inflammation) of what 
 they term hot oils^ follo\ved up by hlijie)rs of extra 
 ftrength, and laftly, the humane (and frequently 
 ineffe6lual) operation of the/?'2?z^ irons^ conftitute 
 the routine of profeffional praftice, to the utter re- 
 jeftion of milder means, and the indications of na- 
 ture, who, with the afTiftance of reft, would fre- 
 quently effect her own purpofe, and complete a 
 cure. 
 
 BACK RAKING — is 'an operation of which 
 confident grooms, and indolent farriers, are too 
 frequently fond. It is introducing the hand at the 
 fphinfter ani, to extraft the indurated faeces, or 
 hardened dung, from the reftum, in which the 
 horfe muft experience confiderable pain, that 
 would be better avoided by the more humane and 
 confiderate adminiftration of a clyjler. By this a 
 repetition of the more flovenly and lefs efficacious 
 operation would be rendered unneceffary, as well 
 
 as 
 
42 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 as the original intent more expeditioufly promoted. 
 There can be but little doubt, under the prefent 
 improved practice, that means of relief fo fingular 
 and unnatural, will foon give place to, and be to- 
 tally fuperfeded by, methods of greater neatnefs- 
 and humanity in their operation, and greater cer- 
 tainty in the effecl. 
 
 BADGER. — ^Though this animal cannot be faid 
 to afford fport to the fuperior clafles, he is entitled 
 to notice here, in conformity with the original in- 
 tent and title of the Work. Former writers have, 
 with a greater attention to the fertility of inven- 
 tion, than any refpetl to truth, held forth a feem- 
 ingly plaufible defcription of badgers of two dif- 
 tinB and Jeparate kinds, under the different appel- 
 lation of a dog-badger and hog-badger ; the former 
 having feet refembling a dog ; the feet of the latter 
 cloven^ exaBly fimilar to thofe of the hog. To 
 ftrengthen this affertion, they tell you they fubfifl 
 on different food ; that the one eats with eagernefs 
 any kind of flefh and carrion as a dog; the other, 
 roots, fruits, and vegetables, as a hog. This, 
 however, may be juitly confidered the effeft of 
 fiBion, or of a too enlarged imagination^ as the ex- 
 iftence of only one kind of badger is admitted 
 amongil us, with fuch trifling difference in fize or 
 colour, as may happen from age, the peculiar foil of 
 any particular county, or other fuch collateral cir- 
 cumfiance as may add fomething to the fize in one 
 
 part 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 43 
 
 part of the kingdom, or vary a fliadc or two in the 
 colours of another. 
 
 Hunting the badger is no more than an occa- 
 fional fport with nifties of the lower order, and 
 can only be enjoyed by moonlight; the badger, 
 from his natural habits, being never to be found 
 above ground by day. In this fport they are 
 obliged to oppofe art to cunnings and obtain by 
 ftratagem what they cannot effetl by ftrength. At 
 a late hour in the evening, when the badger is na- 
 turally concluded to have left his kennel or his caf- 
 tle^ in fearch of prey, fome of the party (as previ- 
 oufly adjufted) proceed to place a fack at length 
 within the burrow, fo conftrucled that the mouth 
 of the fack direttly correfponds with the mouth of 
 the earth, and is fecured in that pofition by means 
 of a willow hoop, which, from its pliability, readily 
 fubmits to the form required. This part of the 
 bufinefs being completed, the parties withdrawn, 
 and the fignat zvhifile given, their diftant compa- 
 nions lay on the dogs, (either hounds, terriers, lur- 
 chers, or fpaniels,) encouraging them through the 
 neighbouring woods, coppices, and hedge rows, 
 which the badgers abroad no fooner find, than be- 
 ing alarmed, and well knowing their inability to 
 continue a (late of warfare fo much out of their 
 own element, they inftantly make to the earth for 
 fhelter, where, for want of an alternative, and op- 
 prefied with fear, thev rufli into certain deftruflion, 
 
 by 
 
44" SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 by entering the fack, where being entangled, Cby 
 the rapidity with which they enter,) they are foon 
 fecured by thofe who are fixed near the fpot for 
 that purpofe. 
 
 If he efcapes by the ill conftruftion or acciden- 
 tal falling of the fack, (which is fometimes the 
 cafe,) and enters the earth with fafety, digging him 
 out is not only a certain laborious attempt, but 
 with a very precarious termination; for the badger 
 poflelling inftindively much art, ingenuity, and 
 perfeverance, has generally formed his retreat with 
 no fmail (Irength refulting from natural fortifica- 
 tion; to render which the more probably tenable 
 againft the premeditated attacks of conftant and 
 implacable enemies, it is mod frequently formed 
 amongft the roots of fome old pollard, in the banks 
 of moors, or unfrequented ground, or underneath 
 a hollow tree, from amidil the large and fp reading 
 roots of which the burrows run in fuch remote and 
 ramified direftions, that his affailants*are compelled, 
 by lofs of time and labour, (after digging fifteen or 
 twenty feet,) to relinquifh the purfuit, and abandon 
 the conteft: corroborating the opinion of country- 
 men in general, that, in a light or fandy foil, bad- 
 gers can make way as fall from their purfuers, as 
 the latter erroneoully conceive they are gaining 
 ground upon them, and to this perhaps it is owing 
 that there are fo many drawn battles between the 
 purfuers and the purfued. 
 
 Badger 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 45 
 
 Badger baiting is a' different fport, and ex- 
 ceedingly prevalent in both town and country, par- 
 ticularly with the butchers, and lower orders in the 
 environs of the metropolis, for whom a conftant 
 fupply of badgers, from the woods of Eflcx, Kent, 
 and Surry, were fure to be obtained. To fo great 
 a pitch of celebrity had this fuhlime amujement at- 
 tained in the neighbourhood of Tottenham Court 
 and Iflington, that the magiftrates molt laudably 
 exerted themfelves to put an end to a pleajurable 
 hufinefs^ which brought together an infinity of the 
 mod abandoned mifcreants, with their bull dogs and 
 terriers^ from every extremity of the town. To the 
 dreadful and inhuman fcene of baiting bears and 
 badgers (with the mod ferocious dogs) till nature 
 was quite exhaufted, fucceeded dog fights^ boxing 
 matches^ and every fpecies of the moll incredible 
 infamy under fan6lion of the knights of the cleaver ; 
 till, by the perfevering efforts of the more humane 
 inhabitants, and the fpirited determination of ma- 
 giftracy, the praftice feems totally aboliflied, and 
 likely to be buried in a much-wifhed-for oblivion. 
 
 BALLS, — medicines fo called when prepared in 
 that form, as they now^ moftly are, for the mitiga- 
 tion and cure of almoft every difeafe to which the 
 horfe is incident. There are purging balls of va- 
 rious kinds, prepared of proportional flrengths, and 
 compounded of different ingredients, with or with- 
 out the impregnation of mercury, according to the 
 
 Jlatc, 
 
46 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 Jlate^ dijeafe^ or condition of the fubje8;. Mild and 
 ftrong diuretic balls, for cracked heels, fwelled legs, 
 flucluating humours, and greafe. Perioral cordial 
 balls, for colds, as well as to be given after fevere 
 chafes, or long journeys: they are alfo ufeful when 
 a horfe is off his appetite, as weir as an excellent 
 preventative to cold when a horfe has been long 
 out of the liable, in fliarp winds or chilling rains. 
 Pectoral detergent balls, for obftinate coughs, and 
 thick-winded horfes. Likewife balls for flatulent 
 and inflammatory cholic, as well as for ftrangury 
 and other diforders. Articles of this defcription 
 are ufually prepared from the prefcriptions of thofe 
 authors who have written upon farriery and veteri- 
 nary medicine; but, for the accommodation of the 
 public at large, and to prevent the ahufes fometimes 
 attendant upon the cafual preparation in fhops, by 
 the inattention of fervants, or the privilege and 
 praElice of fubflituting one article for another^ the 
 Author, immediately after the publication and fuc- 
 cefs of his " Stable DireBory,'' prepared his own 
 advertifed medicines, which have now been fourteen 
 years honoured with public patronage, a lift of which, 
 with the prices, will be found annexed to this 
 Work. 
 
 BALSAMICS, — in medicine, is a kind of inde- 
 finite term, upon which the moft eminent writers 
 have hardly agreed: but however they may have 
 differed in refpe8: to derivation, there can be no doubt 
 2 but 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. ^7 
 
 but the true fenfe of the word mufl appertain to 
 fuch nutritive emollients, and gelatinous reftora- 
 tives, as heal without, and invigorate within. The 
 term is more generally applied to medicines admi- 
 nillered in diforders of the chejl and lungs, 
 
 BARBS — are horfes brought from the coaft of 
 Barbary, and moftly configned as prefents to His 
 Majefty, or fome other branch of the royal family. 
 Thofe arriving under fuch diftinftion, are to be 
 confidered the true mountain barb, \h^ pedigree of 
 whofe blood has been recorded with as much tena- 
 city and care as the genealogy of our moil ancient 
 nobility. Barbs (as they are called) are to be 
 found in the poffeffion of many people of fafhion 
 and fortune in England, but they are in general of 
 inferior degree, and thought to be only the comrnon 
 horfes of the country from whence they came : fuch 
 there are at all times to be obtained through the in- 
 tervening medium of Provence and Languedoc 
 in France; but in this kingdom they are held in 
 very flender eftimation; not more for their deficien- 
 cy in growth and Jlrength^ than the aukwardnefs of 
 their aBion. 
 
 Barbs w^ere formerly in great requeft here; and 
 neither trouble or expence was fpared to obtain 
 them, for the fole purpofe of improving the fpeed 
 ©f our own breed for the turf, where, upon the 
 
 various 
 
48 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 various events in racing at Newmarket, and in 
 the norths immenfe fums are frequently depending; 
 and from the various crojfes in bloody the breeding 
 in and in^ with the different fancied interlineations 
 by different individuals, it is affirmed, by fome of 
 thofe bed verfed in racing pedigree, that there 
 are at this time a very few (if any) thorough bred 
 English horses, but what have a crofs of foreign 
 blood in their compofition. To elucidate or juflify 
 this opinion, reference may be made to the well au- 
 thenticated lift of Barbs and Arabians, who have 
 contributed, 3is Jlal lions ^ more or lefs, to the in- 
 creafe of the moll fele6t and valuable ftuds in every 
 part of the kingdom. 
 
 The Helmsley Turk (one of the firft w^e can 
 go back to) was the property of an old Duke of 
 Buckingham, and afterwards of Mr. Place, (ftud- 
 mafter to Oliver Cromwell when Protestor,) in 
 whofe polfeffion he got Bujller^ Sec. Mr. Place 
 had alfo a ftallion, called Place's Whi,te Turk, 
 w4io was the fire of Woj'inwood, Commoner^ and other 
 good horfes. 
 
 The Stradling or Lister Turk was brought 
 into England by the Duke of Berwick, from the 
 fiege of Buda, in the reign of James the Se- 
 cond. He got Snake, Brijk, Piping Peg, Coney- 
 Jkins, &c. 
 
 The 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 49 
 
 The Byerley Turk was Captain Byerley's 
 charger in Ireland in King William's wars, i68g, 
 and was afterwards the fire of many good runners. 
 
 Greyhound was got in Barbary by a white 
 Barb, out of Slugey, a natural Barb mare. After 
 the leap^ both fire and dam were purchafed and 
 brought to England by Mr. Marfliall, w^here the 
 fire became one of King William's ftud, and was 
 called the " White Barb Chillaby." Greyhound 
 was the fire of Othello^ White/oof^ Offnyn^ Rake^ 
 Sampfon^ Goliah^ Favorite^ Defdemona^ and others, 
 
 D'Arcy White Turk got old Hauthoy^ Grey Roy* 
 ali Cannon^ Scz, 
 
 D'Arcy Yellow Turk was the fire of Span^ 
 ker^ Brimmer^ and the great great grand-dam of 
 Cartouch, 
 
 Curwen's Bay Barb was a prefent from Muly 
 Ifhmael, Emperor of Morocco, to Lewis the Four- 
 teenth, and was brought to England by Mr. Cur- 
 wen, who procured from Count Byram and Count 
 Thouloufe (natural fons of the French King) the 
 two horfes afterwards called the Curwen Bay Barb 
 and Thouloufe Barb^ both which proved excellent 
 flallions, getting a great number of winners, and 
 tranfmitting their blood through the filters of Mix- 
 bury to Partner^ Little Scar^ Soreheeh^ and the 
 
 Vol. I, E dam 
 
50 SPOUTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 dam of Crah; as well as to Bagpiper^ Blackkgs^ 
 Panton's Moily^ and the dam of Cinnamon. . 
 
 Barley's Arabian was broaght over by a bro- 
 ther of Mr. Darlcy in Yorkfhire, who being a 
 commercial agent abroad, exerted his intereft to 
 procure the horfe. He was fire of the famous horfe 
 Childers^ (who was faid to have ran a mile in a mi-^ 
 mite^) Dctdahs^ Dart^ Skipjack^ Aleppo^ and other 
 good liorfes. 
 
 Sir J* Williams's Turk got Mr. Honcywood*s 
 two True Blues^ out of the only thorough-bred mare 
 he was ever known to cover; though he got fome 
 middling racers out of common mares, whofe pedi- 
 grees were not known. 
 
 The Belgrade Turk was taken at the fiege of 
 Belgrade, and, after pafling through the hands of 
 General Merci, the Prince de Craon, and the Prince 
 of Lorrain, became the property of Sir Marmaduke 
 Wyvill, in whofe poffeffion he died about 1740. 
 
 Croft's Bay Barb was got by Chillahy out of 
 the Moonah Barb Mare. 
 
 The GoDOLPHiN Arabian was the property of 
 Lord Godolphin, and thought fo little of as a 
 ftallion, and fo little likely to get raCers, that he 
 was for fome years teaxtr to Hobgoblin ; but, upon 
 his refufing to cover Roxana^ the Arabian had the 
 
 hap^ 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 51 
 
 itdp^ which produced Lath^ the firft horfe he ever 
 got. To Lath fucceeded Cade^ Reguhis, Blank^ 
 Bahraham^ Bajazet, Sec, Szc. and there can be no 
 doubt, from the fuccefs of the progeny of each, 
 but that he contributed more to the value and fpeed 
 of horfes for the turf, than any other foreign 
 ftallion every brought into this kingdom. 
 
 The CuLLEN Arabian was fire of Camillus^ Sour 
 Face^ the dam of Regulator^ Sec, Sec. 
 
 The CooMBE Arabian, called alfo the Pigot 
 Arabian^ was fire of Methodijl^ the dam oiCrofs^ &c« 
 
 The CoMPTON Barb, or Sedley Arabian^ was fire 
 of Coquette^ Greyling^ Sec, 
 
 The Argot Arabian has been covering a few 
 years in the neighbourood of the metropolis, but 
 has not produced any thing of note. This may 
 probably happen from a want of interefl in procu- 
 ring thorough-bred mares^ v^ithout which a ftallioil 
 for racing blood can acquire no celebrity. 
 
 King Charles the Second fent over his mafter 
 of the horfe to procure a number of foreign horfes 
 and mares for breeding; and the mares brought over 
 by him, as well as many of their produce, have 
 fince been called Royal Mares, Dodsworth, 
 though foaled in England, was a natural Barb; 
 his dam was imported injoal during the time of 
 
 E 2 Charles 
 
52 SPIRTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 Charles the Second, and was fold for forty guineas 
 at twenty years old, (after the King's death,) then 
 in foal (by the Helmfley Turk) of Vixen, after- 
 wards dam of the old Child Mare. 
 
 However largely this defcription of horfes may 
 have contributed to the improvement of blood in 
 this country, and however grand and majeftic they 
 may appear in competition with our more fettled, 
 fteady, and well-broke ftuds; yet, when the icni/or- 
 mity of parts which conftitute the whole come to be 
 judicioufly examined, and evey point of perfeEiion 
 precifely afcertained, no doubt can or need be 
 entertained, but the bed bred horfes in Britain, 
 as Highflyer^ Efcape^ Rockingham^ Hamhletonian, 
 Diamond.^ and many others, muft ftand firmly enti* 
 tied to the palm of priority. The mod accurate 
 muft have obferved, that the major part of the 
 horfes brought to this country as Barbs and Arabians, 
 being fubmitted to public infpeQion, are very much 
 inferior in height to our own, few reaching, and 
 none exceeding^ fifteen hands : they have moftly a 
 curvilinear hollownefs of the back, a narrownefs 
 of the cheft, (indicative of fpeed^ but the reverfe 
 o^ Jlrength^) and a palpable deficiency in the arm 
 or fore thigh, feemingly difproportioned to their 
 own weight. Their apparent powers are entirely 
 appropriate to the purpofes o{ Jpeed, and not to 
 the common fervices of the people of this country ; 
 being, in general, bad, uneven walkers; and once 
 
 exerted 
 
•SPORTING DICTIONARY. S3 
 
 exerted to a trot, their legs are thrown about in 
 the clambering manner of the German cavalry, 
 much more adapted to the gratification of pompous 
 parade, than the neatnefs or utility of expeditious 
 aftion. 
 
 BARS — are the flefliy ridges at the upper part 
 of a horfe's mouth. Thefe ridges are always more 
 prominent m young horfes than in old. When they 
 are luxuriant towards the front teeth, and, with a 
 kind of elaftic puffinefs, projetl and prevent mafti- 
 cation, they are called Lampas, (which fee.) In 
 all cafes of emergency where bleeding is neceffary, 
 and the apparatus not at hand, particularly in the 
 night, an incifion or two acrofs the bars with the 
 fleam, inftantly anfwers the purpofe, and prevents 
 farther ceremony. 
 
 BAT FOWLING— is a favorite fport with far- 
 mer's fervants on a winter's evening, and can only 
 be enjoyed with a degree of fuccefs proportioned 
 by the darknefs of the night. The party fhould 
 not confift of lefs than four; two of whom are pro- 
 vided with long flimfey hazel flicks or hurdle rods ; 
 the third carries and manages the flap, (or folding 
 net;) and the fourth a candle and lanthorn, fufpen- 
 ded to the end of a pole feven or eight feet long. 
 Uponthe.net being fpread,: by feparating the fide 
 rods to their utmoft extent, before i^Q' corn-rick^ 
 cut-houfcSy eaves of Jlable thatch^ yew hedge, or 
 
 E 3 whatever 
 
54f SPQRTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 whatever fpot it is intended to try, the eandle «ind 
 lanthorn is then to be held up as nearly the centre 
 of the net as poffible, but at about three or four feet 
 diftance, juft before the affiftants begin to beat the 
 rick^ thatch^ or hedge, with their poles; when the 
 birds being thus fuddenly alarmed from their reft- 
 ing-place, make inftantiy for the light, when the net 
 being direftly clofed (if by a fkilful practitioner) 
 the fuccefs is beyond defcription ; it being no un- 
 common thing, in large remote farms, and in fevere 
 winters, to take twenty or thirty dozen of fpar- 
 rows, and other fmall birds, in one evening's di- 
 verfion. 
 
 BATTLE ROYAL— was formerly (much more 
 than at prefent) a favorite ipode of fighting amongft 
 COCKERS of the lower order, who, upon the old 
 maxim of " the more danger the more honor," be- 
 came practical advocates for general deftruCtion in 
 the following way. A battle royal may confift of 
 ^ny number of cocks, but is hardly ever knowJi to 
 exceed eight. The owner of each having made 
 good his Jlake, or previoufly contributed his fhare 
 of the prize or purfe for which they fight, and all 
 parties being ready, the cocks are moft inhumanly 
 pitted at the fame moment, when a long and diftref- 
 fing fcene epfues, to which there is no termination 
 fp long as 2ifccond cock is left alive, and the vic^ 
 ^©ry can orily be obtained by the laft furvivor. 
 This fpecies of fport is but little pra6tifed now, 
 
 and 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 65 
 
 and that in the moft diflant and remote corners of 
 the kingdom. 
 
 BAY — the colour of a horfc fo called, and is 
 the moft efteemed of any other in conftituting the 
 beauty of the horfe. They have invariably b-lack 
 manes and tails, are many fhades lighter tlian a 
 brown horfe, and were originally called bay from 
 their affinity to the leaf of the bay tree. There are, 
 however, fome degrees of difference and variations 
 in thofe fo termed: for inftance^ there is ^e light 
 or yellow bay, the brown bay, and the mottled bay.. 
 Bay horfes with black legs have the preference of 
 all other colours, and now almoft wholly conflitute 
 the. racing breed of this CQuntry. 
 
 B A Y-^s a fporting term, and ufed in the follow* 
 ing fenfe. When a ftag has, been fo long purfued. 
 that, finding his fpeed or ftrength nearly exhaiifted, 
 he turns round, (having fome protection of building 
 or paling in his rear J and facing, tbe hounds, re- 
 fol'Utely defends himfelf with his , antlers, keeping 
 the hounds at bey, till the fportfmen come up, who 
 immediately affift in drawing, qff the hounds,, and 
 faving the life of the deer. When the deer takes 
 Jbil<i (that is, takes to the water,) he will defend 
 himfelf, and keep the hounds a long time at bay^ 
 provided he fathoms the lake or river fo weH as to 
 keep the hounds fwimming, and not go out of his 
 own depth; if he lofes which,, and; is. obliged to 
 fwim Sit ihQ time he is up^ (in, other words, quite 
 
 E 4 tired,) 
 
66 SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 tired,) and furrounded by the hounds, he is inevi- 
 tably drowned by his numerous and determined foes, 
 in oppofition to every exertion that can be made 
 to fave him. 
 
 In fox-hunting, when the fox is fuppofed to have 
 gone to earth, the fad can only be afcertained in many 
 cafes by the excellence of the terrier attending the 
 pack, who has in general ftrength andfpeed fufficient 
 to keep him from being far behind. Upon entering 
 the earth, difcovery is foon made of the certainty 
 of his retreat, by the terrier's " laying well at him^" 
 provided the fox has not turned in the earth : if he 
 has fo done, and they are face to face, they are 
 both baying^ or keeping each other at bay^ till the 
 controverfy ends in digging out the fox, and letting 
 in the hounds^ for their Jhare of the entertainment, 
 with the additional acquifition of blood for the ad- 
 vantage of the pack, 
 
 ' BAY BOLTON— was bred by Mr. VzRNONi 
 foaled in 1777 : he was got by Matchem, dam by 
 Regulus, out of an own fitter to the Ancafler 
 Starling. He has long been in the pofTeflioH of 
 his Majefty, an'd'was for many y^ars the favorite 
 ftallion at Hampton Court, from whom moft of 
 his Majefty's pfefent ftud were produced, 
 
 ' BAY M ALTON— was efteemed the firft horfe of 
 
 his year in the kingdom, and won more prizes of 
 
 confequehce and value than any horfe of his time. 
 
 - He 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 57 
 
 He was bred by the then Marquis of Rockin6h am; 
 v/as foaled in 1760; got by Sampfon, dam by 
 Cade, and grand-dam by Old Traveller. It is be- 
 lieved he never covered as a stallion: if fo, he 
 produced no horfes of note. 
 
 BAY TREE — The leaves of which are fo ufe- 
 ful in fomentations, and the berries in clyfters, 
 for horfes upon every emergency, particularly re- 
 mote from towns, that fporting gentlemen in the coun- 
 try fhould never be without a tree of this defcrip^ 
 tion upon their premifes. 
 
 BEAGLES, — in early ftages of the fporting 
 world, was an appellation of much more definite 
 meaning than in the polijli of the prefent times^ and 
 was then ufed to fignify a brace or two of the tan- 
 ned or pied hounds of fmall dimenfions, with which 
 the country fquire or opulent farmer picked and 
 chopped the trail of a hare to her form for a courfe 
 with his greyhounds. As they were, however, fo 
 conflantly ufeful in recovering the hare after the 
 Jirjl courfe, and bringing her to view for afccond^ 
 it became in a great degree ftigmatized by fportfmen 
 in general, and is now confidered neither more or 
 lefs than one mode o{ poaching under the fan6lion of 
 legal authority. Many packs of thefe fmall beagles 
 (for beagle then implied the fmalleji kind of hound 
 known) were formerly kept by country gentlemen 
 gt a very trifling expence, and with no fmall fhare 
 
 of 
 
58i SPORTING DZCTIONARV. 
 
 of amufement to their ruftic neighbours; for, al- 
 though thofe who joined in the ehafe might be nu- 
 merous, yet two or three horfemen only were feen 
 in the field, fo eafy was it to keep up with the 
 hounds (alias beagles) on foot. They were in ge-» 
 neralfowell matched, that they did not exceed eleven 
 inches in height; and ran fo well together, they (to 
 fpeak technically,} " i^ight be covered with a 
 {heet." Though they were j/Zozf , they were ^re^ 
 for if the fcent lay well, a hare could feldom ef- 
 cape them; and this, to the obje6i of purfuit, moft^ 
 ly proved a lingering as well as a certain death: for 
 though, in the early parts of the chafe, they could 
 never get near enough to prejs hex> they were fre- 
 quently two or three hours in killing. 
 
 In proportion to the increafing fpirit of the. 
 tinges, Jlow hunting declined, and beagles of this 
 kiftd got in difrepute. The numerous croifes ia 
 the breed of both beagles and hounds, according to 
 tise wifhes and inclinations of thofe who keep them, 
 b?^ve fa diverfified the variety, that a volume might 
 be produced, jn a defcription of the different fqrts. 
 and fizes adapted to the foil and furface where they 
 hunt; from the old hmvy-^ deep tongued^ dexv-'lapped 
 fiutkern hound of Manchester, (where the huntf- 
 roan w;ith his long pole goes on foot,) to the higheft 
 cjoifed harriers of the prefent day, who kill the 
 ftouteft hares in thirty and forty minutes with a 
 fpeed not much ipferior to courfing. Beagles,, 
 ^Ueip^ tjke terra U noM ufed, implies hounds who 
 
 hunt 
 
5P0RTXNC DICTIONARY. 69 
 
 hmt hares only^ in contra-diftinBion to thofe who 
 hunt either stag or fox. Harriers have been pro- 
 duced from the croffes between the beagle and the 
 fox hound, for the advantage of fpeed; but harriers 
 are not, in fporting acceptation, to be confidered 
 fynonymous with beagles^ to whom they are very 
 fuperior in fize. Mr. Daniei, in a recent publica- 
 tion, called " Rural Sports^'' has given an account 
 of " a cry of beagles, ten or eleven couple, which 
 were always carried to and from the field^in a large 
 pair of panniers, flung acrofs a horfe: fmall as 
 they were, they would keep a hare at all her fhifts 
 to efcape them, and often worry her to death. The 
 cataftrophe (fays he) attending this pack of hounds 
 is laughable, and perhaps is a larceny unique in its 
 attempt. A fmall barn was their allotted kennel, 
 the door of which was one night broke open, and 
 every hound with the panniers ftolen; nor could 
 the moft diligent fearch difeover the leaft trace of 
 the robbers or their booty." 
 
 BEAK, — the bill of a bird, mpre expreflively 
 underflood in the " fetting too" of a cock; which, 
 according to the articles and fixed rules of cocking, 
 muft be ^^ beak to beak." 
 
 BEAM, — in the head of a deer, is the balis, or 
 part bearing the antlers, royals and tops. 
 
 BEAT roR a Hare, — is a term in hunting, 
 much lefs known, and much lefs ufed, formerly, 
 
 than 
 
60 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 than of late years. -When the huntfrrlan was moun- 
 ted at day hreak^ and the hounds were thrown off at 
 the place of meeting, as foon as the horfemen could 
 fee to ride^ the hounds took trail, and went to their 
 game in a ftyle much better .conceived than de- 
 fcribed. No afTiftance 'was then required to heat for 
 hares^ when the hounds were thus early enabled to 
 find for themfelves. A chafe (or two) was enjoyed 
 at that time, and the hounds at home in the kennel, 
 before the hour at which it is tiow the cuftom to 
 reach the : field. Hence the cuftom of engaging 
 help to heat for a hare^ the worft method that can 
 be adopted, and the moft deftrudive of all difci- 
 pline with the hounds ; for once accuftomed to the 
 praftice, heads are all up; and they are much more 
 employed in flaring about, and liftening for a view 
 io/^a, than in putting, their nofes to the ground. : 
 
 BEDDING-r^appertainshere dnly 'to the bed- 
 ding of the horfe, upon which there are fuch a va- 
 riety of opinions, that there cannot be the leaft ex- 
 pe6lation of all ever centering in one. point. While 
 fome are profufe of ftraw at all feafons, even to a 
 degree of w^f and extravagance, others, from a 
 parfimonious principle, do not (at leaft readily) ad-, 
 mit the necefTity of any at all. In extremes, per- 
 haps, the line of mediocrity may be the moft fatis- 
 faftory, and leaft liable to reprehenfion. 
 
 BETTING — is one great gratification of hap- 
 pinefs with the people of this country, . wlio never 
 
 can 
 
SPORTIN'G DICTIONARY. 6^1 
 
 can be faid to be truly happy ^ unlefs it is blended 
 with a chance of becoming completely miferable. 
 It is that kind of national /wror, that no laws, ho^ff- 
 cwtx penal ^ no reftriciions, ho^'GYGr fever e, can have 
 fufficient force ta ftem the torrent of popular pro- 
 penfity; particularly when nurtured and encouraged 
 by the prevalent example, and perfonal praftice, of 
 the firft and mofl exalted chara6lers in the king- 
 dom. Experience has for ages proved it a privi- 
 lege implanted in the very hearts of its devotees, 
 which can only terminate when fporting propaga- 
 tion ceafes, and will of courfe continue to the end 
 of time, Legiflative dictation, and magifterial au- 
 thority, may give a temporary check to games of 
 chance at tables of public notoriety, where the 
 moft villainous depredations are in conftant prac- 
 tice; but fo long as that excitement to the true 
 fpirit of fpeculation, a lottery^ the exhilirating power 
 of a race,, the infedious clamour of a cockpit^ or the 
 greater hobby-horfe of John Bull, a boxing 7natch^ 
 is open to all minds, and in all direclions, fo long 
 will betting excite the attention, and continue to 
 conftitute the pleafing, painful anxiety of pecuniary 
 fpeculation with the people of this country, (and 
 probably of every other,) from the higheft to the 
 lowed clafies of fociety. 
 
 Bettixg is the a6l of laying a wager, or making 
 a depolit of money, by two perfons of contrary opi- 
 nions, for one to become the winner^ upon the deci- 
 
 lion 
 
62 S?dAflN6 ©ICTIONARY. 
 
 (ion of f6me public or popular event; and that fo 
 fafhionable a mode of terminating difputes may- 
 meet with but little difficulty or obftruftion, bets 
 are made with as much deliberation, and difcharged 
 by the sporting world with ais much integrity, as 
 the moft important tranfa6lions of the commercial 
 part of fociety in the firft city of the univerfe. 
 Betting has of late years been reduced to afyjlem^ 
 by which there are now many profejfors in ex- 
 iftence, who were originally of the very lowejl or- 
 der ; but, by an indefatigable and perfevering in- 
 dujlry at Newmarket, the cockpit, and the gaming 
 table, have acquired princely pofTeffions, by the 
 unexpeded honour of being admitted to princely 
 affociation. Where two opponents depofit each an 
 equal fum (whether five pounds or five hundred) 
 upon any event whatever, it is then termed an even 
 let. An offer of Jtx to Jour ^ implies the odds in 
 dire6l ratio of fix pounds to four, twelve to eight, 
 fixty to forty; or in that proportion to any amount. 
 Betting two to one, is laying ten pounds to five, 
 twenty to ten, and fo forth; one depofiting exaftly 
 double the amount of his SLdverfavy's Jlake ^ three, 
 four and five to one being regulated in the fame 
 way. The latter are all termed laying the odds, 
 'which vary according to the predominant opinions 
 of the beil judges upon tht probable termination of 
 the event; one rule being invariable, the perfon 
 betting the odds (or, in other words, the larger fum 
 againft the /mailer) has always the privilege of tak- 
 ing 
 
SPORTING D1CTI2NARY. 63 
 
 ihg his choice in preference to his adverfary, 
 againft which no appeal can ever be made with a 
 decifion in its favor. 
 
 Any perfon propofing a bet to another during 
 the running of a horfe, the fighting of a cock, or 
 any other tranfaftion, the party applied to, faying 
 *' done," and the propofer replying " done" alfo, 
 it then becomes a confirmed bet^ and cannot in 
 fporting etiquette and honour be off^ or revoked, 
 but by mutual confent. No bet above ten pounds 
 can be fued for and recovered in our courts of 
 law; the payment of all lofings above that fum 
 muft depend entirely upon the fporting integrity of 
 the parties concerned. 
 
 BISHOPING — is an operation performed upon 
 the teeth of a horfe, and fuppofed to have derived 
 its modern appellation from an eminent and dijlin- 
 guij/i e d dtaltr of the name of Bishop; whether from 
 any peculiar neatnefs in, or reputed celebrity for, 
 a perfonal performance of the deception, it is mofi: 
 probably not poflible (or neceffary) to afcertain. 
 The purport of the operation is to furnifh horfes 
 of ten or twelve years old with a regeneration of 
 teethy bearing the appearance of Jive or fix, and i^ 
 thus performed. The horfe being powerfully 
 twitched by both the nofe and the ears, a cufhioned 
 roller (large enough to keep the jaws extended) is 
 then placed in the mouth; which done, the teeth of 
 3 the 
 
64; SPORTING DICTIONARY* 
 
 the under jaw are fomewhat reduced in their length 
 (according to their growth) by the friftion of a 
 whitefmith's cutting file: an engraver's tool is then 
 employed in taking away as much from the centre 
 of the furface of each tooth as will leave a confpi- 
 cuous cavity in the middle; this cavity (or rather 
 every individual cavity) is then burned black with 
 an iron inftrument red hot, and adapted to the pur- 
 pofe; a compofition of cement is then infinuated, 
 fo well prepared in both colour and confidence, that 
 it is frequently not difcoverable (at leaft to flight 
 obfervers) for many months after its introduQion. 
 
 BITCH — is the feminine of the canine fpecies, 
 in contra-diftindion to dog. It is fometimes ufed 
 in a fimilar fenfe with refpeft to foxes, where the 
 female is termed a bitch fox; though a vixen is the 
 more fportfman-like appellation. Bitches are 
 Sometimes ff ay ed^ to prevent their farther propaga- 
 tion: it requires judgment and expertnefs in the 
 operation, the beft time for which is about a week 
 after the heat is gone off. 
 
 BITS — are of different kinds, formed of iron, 
 and conftitute the mouth-part of bridles of every 
 denomination, whether in carriage harnefs, or for 
 ufe on the turf, in the chafe, or upon the road. The 
 fingle large-mouthed bit, firft ufed with colts in 
 breaking, is known by the name of ^nouthing-hit : 
 the fame fhaped bit, but of a much fmaller fize, 
 
 with 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARV 
 
 65 
 
 \vith a fmall cheek of about three inches long, is 
 called a piped cheek fnaffle, A fingle bit, having a 
 curb, and a cheek of five or fix inches long, with 
 one rein only, and that infcrted to the bottonfi of 
 the cheek, is termed a hard and Jharp, and with 
 juftice; it is one of the word inventions ever 
 adopted, never feen in ufe with a fportfman, and 
 only calculated for vicious run-away horfes, not to 
 be flopped by any common means* A bit of the 
 fame form, having eyes for two reins, one on each 
 fide the mouth-piece, and others at the lower ex- 
 tremity of the cheek, are called pelhains^ as a favou- 
 rite bit of the old Duke of Newcaftle. A bridoon is a 
 fmall fnaffle, or mouth-piece, having no other 
 cheek tkan a circular eye to receive the rein into 
 the fame headftall, with which is Hitched a roller- 
 mouthed polijlied port bit, having a cheek of four, 
 live or fix inches in length, according to fancy, or 
 the mouth of the horfe: the rein to this bit is af- 
 fixed to the lower extremity of the cheek, and, in 
 conjunction with the bridoon, conftitutes. the dou- 
 ble reined bridle, called a Weymouth, moftly in ufe. 
 
 BITES — frequently happen to fporting dogs as 
 well as to horfes, but much more frequently to the 
 former, by poifonous infefts that are, as well as 
 many not known. Means of relief muft of courfe 
 be regulated by immediate appearances: in great 
 inflammation, bleeding, and external emollients, are 
 of good effetl: in bites of the vipcr^ its own fat li^ 
 Vol. L F quified. 
 
65 SPOUTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 quified, and to be had at the medical (hops as the 
 " oil of vipers^*' is acknowledged a certain antidote. 
 
 BITTERN — is a bird of fimilar formation to 
 the hero7ij but of much fmaller fize, and more 
 beautifully variegated in its plumage. They are 
 principally found in fedgey moors, where they breed, 
 particularly within a few miles of the fea-coaft, not 
 being very common in the centrical parts of the 
 kingdom. If brought down by the gun with only 
 a broken wing^ they difplay great courage in op- 
 pofing their deftroyer; poffefling fuch determined 
 power, and quick exertion of both talons and heak^ 
 they cannot be with fafety fecured till deprived of 
 life. From their fcarcity, they are efteemed a 
 rarity at the tables of the great, where one is re- 
 ceived as a handfome prefent; a brace being fel- 
 dom feen together, either dead or alive, 
 
 BLACK ACT — is fo called, becaufe it was 
 cnaHed in confequence of the moft unprecedented 
 deprecations committed in Eflex by perfons in 
 difguife, with their faces blacked and disfigured, 
 and is literally thus. 
 
 " By this flatute it is ena6ted^ that perfons^ 
 hunting armed and difguifed, and killing or fteal- 
 ing deer, or robbing warrens, or ftealing fifh out 
 of any river, &c. or any perfon unlawfully hunt- 
 ing in His Majelly's forefls; or breaking down the 
 
 bead 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 6-7 
 
 head of any Hfh-pond; or killing of cattle; or cut- 
 ting down trees; or fetting fire to houfe, barn, or 
 wood; orfliooting at any perfon; or fending letters, 
 either anonymous, or figned with a fiQitious name, 
 demanding money, &c. or refcuing fuch offenders, 
 are guilty of felony without benefit of clergy/' 
 This is commonly called the Waltham Black AB, 
 and was made perpetual by 31 George IL c. 42. 
 
 BLACK-LEGS— is the expreffive appellation 
 
 longfince given by the fuperior claffes of the fporting 
 
 world (confiding of noblemen and gentlemen of 
 
 fortune) to the very honorable and very dijin^ 
 
 guiJJicd fraternity who are known to conflitute " a 
 
 Jamily;' and are, perhaps, without exception, the 
 
 moft unprincipled and abandoned fet of \thieves 
 
 and harpies that ever difgraced civilized fociety. 
 
 They are a body, exifting by, and fubfifting upon, 
 
 the moft villainous modes of deceptive depredation: 
 
 their various modes of attacking, and preying upon^ 
 
 the credulity of the inexperienced and unfufpeBing 
 
 part of the public, are beyond conception: their 
 
 number is incredible, and their ftratagems exceed 
 
 defcription. Deftitute not only of charader, but 
 
 of eyery fenfe of honor^ their minds are deftined 
 
 folely to the purpofes of determined devaftation up^ 
 
 on the property of thofe unthinkingly feduced or 
 
 betrayed into their company ; upon wliofe credulity 
 
 and indifcretion they are fupported in a continued 
 
 fcene of the moft luxurious and faftiionable diiTi- 
 
 patian. ^ ^ 
 
^8 SNORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 As members have no great power in exerting 
 themfeives with much faccefs individually, the Jirm 
 (if a phalanx of the mod infamous combination 
 can be termed fo) are adequate to almofl every 
 delperate undertaking, from pricking in the belt^ 
 huj'Uing in the hat^ oxjlipping a card^ to the cafually 
 meeting a friend upon Hounflow Heath. They 
 are fole proprietors of the different gaming tables, 
 public and private, as well in the metropolis, as 
 the hazard and E O tables at all the races of emi- 
 nence in the kingdom. They are invariably pre- 
 fent at every fafliionable receptacle forfport : the 
 tennis-court, the billiard-room, the cockpit, have all 
 to boaft a majority in quefl of prey ; and even the 
 commoneft cofFee-houfe is a fpot where mode/l 
 merits in the form of a lounging emiflary, frequent- 
 ly obtrudes, in the anxious hope of picking up 
 fome opulent juvenile, that he may afterwards 
 enjoy the pleafure of introducing him in the moft 
 friendly and liberal way to another member of the 
 fraternity, as a very proper objeft, or pigeon, well 
 worth plucking for the benefit of the family. 
 
 BLADDER — is a part of the horfe liable to dif- 
 eafe; but feldom known to occur, unlefs by the 
 indifcretion of the owner. A long retention of 
 urine, by continuing a journey to too great an ex- 
 tent without flopping, may produce^^r^n^wr^ ; and 
 that not being foon relieved, inflammation may en- 
 fue. Inftances are recorded of ftones, calcareous 
 
 fubftances, 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 69 
 
 fiibftances, and difFerent concretions, having been 
 found in the bladders of horfes after death. Dif- 
 cretion is a proper and cheap preventative. 
 
 BLANK— was a horfe in high form, beating 
 ahnoft every horfe of his time, and his blood was 
 held in the utmoil eftimation : he was bred by 
 Lord Godolphin; foaled 1740; got by the Go- 
 dolphin Arabian, dam by Bartlett's Childers, out 
 of the dam of the Large Hartley Mare, The va- 
 rious performances of Blank will not admit of 
 being brought within the compafs of fo concife a 
 defcription; therefore, fuffice it io fay, that, after 
 his performances upon the turf, he became a ftaU 
 lion of the firft celebrity, and was fire of Ghojl, 
 Tripod, Chat/worth, Hengijl, Croney, Yeoman, For- 
 fenna, Lottery, Young Blank, Lujlre, Lumber, 
 Whipjler, Amazon, Britannicus, Charlotte, Pruffia, 
 Helen, Lycurgus, and a very long lift of excellent 
 runners, too numerous for infertion under thi$ 
 
 head. 
 
 BLEEDING— of horfes is a fimple and eafy 
 operation, hitherto performed v/ith an inilrument 
 called a fleam, which being fteadily fupported over 
 the neck vein (about five inches below the fuperior 
 procefs of the jaw-bone) is forcibly ftruck with 
 what is profeffionally termed a hloodjlick, turned 
 out of the wood called lignum vitce, as being fuf- 
 ficiently heavy to infure weight and certainty to 
 Hhe blow : the blade of the fleam is fupported by a 
 
 F 2 fhoulder, 
 
70 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 fhoulder, to prevent the incifion's being made bfe- || 
 yond the depth of fafety : the ufe of the line round 
 the lower part of the neck, previous to the opera- 
 tion, is now greatly out of ufe; ahhough it is cer- 
 tainly a means of keeping the vein firm from fiuC" 
 tuation^ and of courfe a very proper guide, parti- 
 cularly for young pra6litioners. Of late years this 
 mode of operating has greatly declined, particu- 
 larly with veterinarians of the new fchool^ the moft 
 expert of whom adopt the ufe of the lancet^ and 
 are introducing it to general praftice; and, al- 
 though the neatnefs of the operation mud be can- 
 didly admitted, yet, with high fpirited, j^j, unruly 
 horfes, (where there is a chance of the point of 
 the lancet's being broken in the orifice^) a doubt na- 
 turally arifes, whether, in Juch cafes^ the former 
 method is not both the leaft troublefome and lead 
 dangerous of the two. j| 
 
 The conjijlency and propriety of bleeding upon 
 flight or moderate occaiions, has always been 
 matter of cavil and capricious controverfy w^ith 
 thofe whofe cynical rigidity, and reftlefs fpirit, ever 
 prompts them to take even the lorong fide of any 
 argument, (however abfurd and ridiculous,) rather 
 than want a caufe to carp at; but with thofe poffef- 
 fing the power of fcientific difquifition, ar^d prac- 
 tical profeiTional knowledge, fuch fallacious and 
 ill-founded reafoning muft fail to the ground. Its 
 utility, upon the attack of almojl every difeafc to 
 
 which 
 
ePORTING DICTIONARY. 71 
 
 which the animal is fubjccl, is now fo generally ad- 
 mitted, that it (lands in need of no additional cor- 
 roboration from the more refined rays of conftantly 
 increafing improvement. 
 
 The quantity proper to be taken away at one 
 time, in any cafe, may be from three to Jive pints; 
 the latter only in fuch diforders as require plenti- 
 ful depletion: in all cafes of inflammation (particu- 
 larly the lungs) frequent repetitions are to be juftifi- 
 ed, provided they follow not too fafl upon each 
 other; the lives of many horfes have been prefer- 
 ved (particularly in thofe injluenzas of late years 
 called " the diftemper") by Jour or Jive plentiful 
 bleedings in fo many days; and, vice verfa^ as great 
 a number loft by a want of the fame means. As 
 blood is generated, and the unloaded veffels reple« 
 niftied, by the conftant fupply of aliment in healthy 
 or nutj'-ivient in difeafe, fo little, or, in fa8;, no 
 permanent injury can be fuftained by leaning 
 to the fafe fide^ and taking away even too 
 much, provided it be at different times, partir 
 cularly when it is remembered, that the life of a 
 valuable horfe is very frequently loft by a too 
 great pufillanimity and forbearance in the ope- 
 ration. 
 
 BLEMISHES-^are fo called which conftitute 
 disfiguration and eyefore, without impediment to 
 Ji-.^ht or adion ; it is therefore readily conceived, a 
 
 F 4 horfe 
 
72 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 horfe may be very materially hlemijked without 
 being iinfound. Blemifhes are various, and many 
 of them not to be immediately perceived, in a 
 fuperficial furvey of the fubjecl: broken knees are 
 a very material and confpicuous blemifh : fplents^ 
 if large, are unpleafmg to the eye of the good 
 judge and nice in veil i gat or: xcarts are eafily ob- 
 ferved, and as eajily cured-, thru/lies^ and a carious 
 flate of the frogs^ not to be known but by an 
 examination of the feet: fandcracks^ previoufly 
 cured, fometimes remain unfeen, but are always 
 liable to a renewal of the original defe8: : the 
 marks of former hlijlering is, in general, to be 
 plainly perceived by a variation in colour, or an 
 unnatural roughnefs in the hair of thofe parts : the 
 marks o{ firing -irons may be eahly traced (however 
 neatly performed) upon the hocks for fpavins and 
 curbs, or upon the back of the fliank-bones for 
 Jirains in the back finews, A horfe may be ble- 
 mifhed by a fpeck in the eye, arihng from a blow 
 with the lafli of a whip or fwitch; this is fre- 
 quently no more than a partial thickening of a 
 fm.all part of the outer humour of the eye, not 
 obflru6iing thofe rays of light which conftitute 
 vifion. 
 
 If a horfe is v/arranted '' perfeBly founds with» 
 out blemijli^ free from vice^ fteady to ride^ and 
 quiet in harnefs" it is a full and general warranty 
 fpeaking for itfelf } leaving very little for the inten- 
 tional 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. /3 
 
 tional purchafer to do (in refpeft to infpeElion) if 
 he has previoufly tj'ied and approved the paces of 
 the horfe. But where a ^SLrraniy feemmgly guarded, 
 or cautiou/ly partial^ is offered, a proper degree 
 of circumfpe6Hon will be neceffary to prevent a 
 chance of early repentance; a prevention of litiga- 
 tion will prove lefs expenhve than the cure of a 
 lawfuit, 
 
 BLINDNESS — in a horfe (whether in one or 
 both eyes) may originate in a variety of well-known 
 caufes, many of which are occafioned by means of 
 violence, and may at all times be prevented by 
 proper care and humane attention. If a horfe, 
 having naturally good eyes, is obferved to undergo 
 a fudden change in the external appearance, from 
 enlargement of the lids, or a difcharge of hot 
 watery ferum, with a vifible heat and pain of the 
 part, (the horfe conftantly fhaking his head and 
 ears,) it may reafonably be attributed to fome 
 caufe originating in external injury : if not by fuch 
 means, it muft be from fome morbid affeftion in 
 the fyftem, afting more immediately and pow- 
 erfully upon the mod irritable parts. 
 
 The eyes of fome horfes are periodically af- 
 fefted, even for months and years, before they 
 terminate in total hlindnefs : to this fpecies of o- 
 cular defeft, the illiterate and lefs enlightened of 
 former times gave the appellation of '^ moon-blind^'' 
 
 under 
 
74' SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 under tlie weak and ridiculous idea, that fuch 
 changes were produced by the gradational ftages of 
 the moon; an opinion too trifling to render ani- 
 madverfion neceffary, it being one of the very few 
 remaining traits of fuperflition which will fpeedily 
 be totally done away. Many horfes lofe their eyes 
 from extreme exertion, as by over racing -, in 
 proof of which, a very long lift of inftances 
 might be adduced : the fame efFe8: has been pro- 
 duced upon STALLIONS in being permitted to cover 
 mares not only in an unlimited degree in refpe8: to 
 number, but ftimulated fo to do by the ufe of 
 powerful and prejudicial provocatives: in both 
 thefe cafes the lofs of fight is occafioned by a total 
 fubverfion of the nervous fyftem, reducing it to a 
 fixed or partial debility of thofe particular parts, 
 from which they riever recover. 
 
 Horfes are frequently found to inherit conftitu- 
 tional defefts from sire or dam; and none are, 
 perhaps, to be confidered more juftly hereditary 
 than defeEls of the eyes ; and to render fuch fa 8: 
 the more extraordinary, it generally happens to 
 have lain dormant for the firft three or four years, 
 and never to difplay itfelf to any vifible inconve- 
 nience till a colt is broke, and brought into work. 
 The eyes of a horfe inheriting this taint by heredi- 
 tary tranfmiffion, are much lefs prominent than a 
 natural, well-formed and good eye; they have a 
 
 kind of indented furrow in the lid above the orb, 
 
 aad 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 7if 
 
 and a wrinkled contra6lion in the part iminediately 
 over that, conftituting a kind of '• vinegar afped,'* 
 better conceived than defcribed : this kind of eye 
 fhould be carefully avoided in purchafe; for how- 
 ever they may vary by changes in work, and a di- 
 verfity of feafons, they, nine times out of ten, ter- 
 minate in blindnefs; a circumftance fairly to be 
 prefumed, no profeffional man living ecn prevent, 
 
 BLISTERING— ^is an operation performed up- 
 on a horfe by unguents prepared of different de- 
 grees of ftrength, according to the circumdances 
 of the cafe. They are in general ufe for blood 
 and bone fpavins, curbs and ftrains of the back 
 linews : where they do not complete the purpofe 
 for which they were intended, they are repeated 
 at a proper period; ox firing the part is adopted, 
 and the horfe is turned out. '• iftering is in general 
 too foon reforted to as a remedy, and in manv afes 
 before the inflammation arifmg from the original in- 
 jury has fufficiently fubfided for the operation to 
 take place; from which injudicious mode of prac- 
 tice, a permanent Enlargement of the part is occa- 
 fioned, that is never got rid of during the life of 
 the horfe. 
 
 BLOOD — is the well known.- fluid iffuing from 
 wounds, or feparated veffels, in an accidental de- 
 ftruQ:ion of parts: it is not only the very bafis, but 
 thefupport, of life it/elf; and drawn from the frame 
 <^f any animal beyond a certain proportion (pro- 
 
 feffionally 
 
7b SPORTING dictionary; 
 
 feiTionally afcertained,) caufes injlant death. In 
 the regular routine of the animal oeconomy, blood 
 is generated by the frequent fuppHes of nutritive 
 aliment, and retaining within itfelf fufficient ftrength 
 and power for its own peculiar ^wx'^oks^ihxoM^s off, 
 by the different emun61ories, the fuperflux with 
 which it may be encumbered: but as medical or 
 anatomical difquifition is not intended in a work of 
 this general kind, it mud fufiice to obferve, that, 
 from the blood in its original and firft formed 
 ilate, proceeds all the progreffive and fuperior 
 funtlions of Nature. From the blood ilTues every 
 gradational proportion of infenfible, fenfible and 
 profufe perfpiration; from the blood, the urine is 
 fecreted (or feparated) by the kidnies; and from the 
 blood is extra6led5 by the genitals^ that very mafcu- 
 line femen, by which (we are told from high and 
 indifputable authority) our pouerity is to be contir 
 nued to the end of time. 
 
 BLOOD HOUNDS.— Thofe fo called, have 
 always had a kind of fabulous property afcribed to 
 them, of purfuing, and infallibly taking or feizing, 
 robbers, murderers, or depredators, whenever they 
 could be laid upon the footfteps (or fcent) of the 
 particular objeft they were intended to purfue; 
 and of their poffeffing this property there can be no 
 doubt, when the experience of ages, tranfmitted to us 
 by our predecefTors, (as well as our own obfervations,) 
 have afforded the mod indifputable proofs, that 
 
 hounds 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 77 
 
 hounds may be taught or broke in to carry on any 
 particular fcent^ when feelingly convinced they are 
 to hunt no other. There requires no " ghoil from 
 the grave" to confirm a fa6l of fo much notoriety: 
 a mtxQ /porting embryo would tell us, that " a pack 
 who for fome years hunted y"^//ow deer in the pof- 
 •feflion of their laft owner, are hunting hare in high 
 ftyle with the prefent; that the principal body of 
 the celebrated pack who for fome years pad hunt- 
 ed yb;: with Lord Darlington in the north, are 
 now probably cleftined to thepurfuit of the red deer 
 with Lord Derby in the fouth : and the whole 
 art of changing hounds from one chafe to another 
 is the temporary trouble of breaking them afrefh, 
 and making ihtxTi Jle a dy to ih^ f cent they are to 
 purfue. 
 
 In refpeQ to the received opinion of v/hat were 
 formerly called bloodhounds, the faQ; is fimply this: 
 the original (lock partook, in nearly an equal de- 
 gree, of the large, heavy, ftrong, honey old Eng- 
 lifli ftag-hound, and the deep-mouthed fouthern 
 hound, of which mention is made under the head 
 *^ Beagle." The hounds deftined to one particular 
 kind of bufinefs or purfuit, as bloodhounds, were 
 never brought into the chafe for a conftancy with 
 the pack for the promotion of fport, but were pre- 
 ferved and fupported (as a conftable or Bow-Street 
 runner of the prefent day) for the purpofes of pur- 
 fuit and deteftion, whenever they could, with cer- 
 tainty, 
 
7$ &P0RTING BICTiONARV. 
 
 tainty, be laid on in good time upon the fcent of 
 footfteps of the objed it was thought expedient to 
 purlue. Des7' Jiealing^ for inftance, was fo very 
 common a century fince to what it is at prefentj 
 that the game and park keepers in moft parts of thtt 
 kingdom were in a kind of eternal watching and 
 noElurnal warfare : the hounds we are nov/ defcribing 
 were then conltantly trained to the practice, and fo 
 clofely adhered te the fcent they were once laid on 
 upon, that (even after a very long and tedious pur- 
 fuit) dete6tion was certain and inevitable : from this 
 perfevering inftintt and infallibility, they acquired 
 the appellation they have fo long retained; and an 
 offending criminal not a century fince, was abfo> 
 lutely conceived to be pojitively taken^ and half con^ 
 viBed^ the very moment a blood-hound could be 
 obtained. 
 
 BLOOD SPAVIN— is a preternatural and 
 puffy enlargement on the infide of a horfe's hock^ 
 proceeding from a diftenfion of the vein crofTing 
 the internal janBion of the inferior part of the thigh 
 bone with the fuperior part of the iliank; and when- 
 ever fuch injury is obferved, it may rather be fup- 
 pofed to have originated in a blow, a kick^ or more 
 probably from a ligamentary twift or diftortion^ 
 (by a fl:iort and (udden turn in the fnallfi all of an 
 ill conftruRed ftable,) than by any continued exer- 
 -tion of fpeed, either on a jouraey or in the chafe. 
 
 BLOWS 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 79 
 
 BLOWS — inconfiderately given, in pajfion^ to 
 harmlcfs, inofFending animals, are nineteen times 
 out of twenty productive of repentance, when pro- 
 bably repentance comes too late. A horfe fome- 
 times, and moil commonly from the inattention of 
 the rider, fteps almoft unavoidably upon a flint or 
 rolling- ftone; and in the very exertion of recover- 
 ing himfelf from nearly fallings he at that critical 
 moment receives a fevere and unexpefted blow he-- 
 hind the ear from the ftick of his philofophic^ pa- 
 ticnt^ humane xia^r ^ which brings him inftantly to the 
 ground, giving and receiving ample proof, that 
 " the remedy was worfe than the difeafe." No 
 conjeclures need be formed upon the lofs of eyes an- 
 nually fuilained by blows from petulant mafters, as 
 well as the moft rafcally fervants; injuries of this 
 kind may be daily feen by obfervers with their eyes 
 open in every part of the kingdom. 
 
 Blows will moft alTuredly fometimes happen 
 from accident^ though moft of this defcription arife 
 from folly, ignorance, or indifcretion; as for in- 
 ftance, the very common circumftances of carelefsly 
 giving a horfe's head or eye a blow againft the ftall in 
 turning, or the hip-bone very frequently againft the 
 poft of the ftable door, and this by the ftupidity of 
 thofe vfhofeem to think a horfe can turn within as fmall 
 a fpace as themfelves; or rather, perhaps, by thofe 
 who feem unfortunately deftined by Nature never 
 to think at all. In general, the good or bad ufage 
 of fervants to horfes, or other animals under their 
 
 1 " care. 
 
so SPORTING BICTIONARV. 
 
 care, may be conceived a very fair and unerrring 
 criterion of the depravity or integrity of their own 
 hearts; and fuch fhould be emphatically told, that 
 not only broken bones, but inftantaneous lofs of life, 
 has frequently followed pafTionate blows, and cruel 
 I'fage, by the law of retaliation, in the refentment 
 of an animal capable of diftinguifhing between a 
 fault committed, a reproof given, or any unjuft in- 
 jury fuftained. 
 
 BONE SPAVIN— is an ofTified enlargement on 
 the outjide of, and rather below, the centre of the 
 hock, originating in a cartilaginous protrufion from 
 the feat of articulation becoming progreffively cal- 
 lous, and laftly a fubftance equally firm with the 
 bone itfelf. They do not invariably conftitute 
 lamenefs upon {htix Jirjl appearance, but it foon 
 follows a courfe of hard or regular work. Blifter- 
 mgjirjl, and firing afterwards, was the pra6lice of 
 farriers of the old fchool, which it is not known 
 has undergone any change with veterinarians of the 
 new. 
 
 BOLTING. — When a fox, laying at earth, has 
 been dug to, and, upon the approach of the fpade, 
 the terrier, or the perfon attempting to take him, 
 makes a fudden fpring, and ^oes off, he is then faid 
 to have bolted; when, of courfe, the chafe is conti- 
 nued with the hounds. The term is alfo applica- 
 ble 
 
SPORtiNG DICTIONARY. 81 
 
 ble to a rabbit from its burrow, or the badger from 
 his earth. 
 
 BORING;—- one of the former humane opera- 
 tions in farriery for what is now called a lamenefs^ 
 then termed a wrench in the llioulder : it confided 
 in making a fmall orifice, or fuperficial incifion, 
 through the integument near the part affeQed: into 
 this is infinuated a fmall tube or pipe; by the ope- 
 tatoi-'s breath through which the part is inflated, 
 •directly in the w^ay a butcher fwells his veal: a flat 
 piece of iron, of fmall dimenfions, is then introdu- 
 ced between the ribs and the flioulder in different 
 direBions, to produce fome effect hitherto unex- 
 plained, and never underftood. The feeming cruel- 
 ty, and evident uncertainty, of the operation, has 
 long fmce buried it in oblivion, at leafl with fcien- 
 tific pra6litioners; and it is very little feen or heard 
 of, except amongft the ruilic Vulcans in remote 
 corners of the kingdom. 
 
 BOTTS-— are differently defcribed by different 
 writers; a certain proof many of tbem wrote more 
 from theory^ copy^ and hearfay^ than from attentive 
 practice, or perfonal obfervation. Some have ob- 
 ferved, they were of one fhape; a fecond, of ano- 
 ther: a third has faid their feat was invariably upon 
 on^ particular part ; but theprefent Author has told 
 you, in his former Works, and now repeats the f^ft^ 
 that they are equally inhabitants of the Jioniach he- 
 
 Vol. L G fore^ 
 
gg SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 forc^ as they are of tht reclum behind; and are as 
 conftantly found in the former after the death of 
 the fiibjeft, as they are feen adhering to the fphinc- 
 ter of the reclum during his life; and that horfes, 
 who have fallen victims to the ravages of thefe de^ 
 i[lru6tive diminutives, had both the ftomach arid 
 re6lum loaded with numbers in a degree to be fair- 
 ly concluded incredible^ unlefs the proof had been 
 perfonally confirmed by fight and individual con- 
 viction. The mode by which they are. conveyed 
 into the body (or how they are engendered there) 
 may polTibly long continue a matter of conjefture 
 and ambiguity: Not fo with ^Ae effeB ; when there, 
 they foon continue to increafe, and to occafion 
 conftant difquietude; fometimes violent pain. A 
 horfe labouring under their perfecuting pinchings, 
 is frequently eatings and without appetite, in a 
 hope of relieving himfelf from the giiawing Jenja- 
 iions within: he is generally rough in the coat, low 
 in flefh, depreffed in the ftable, and not elated when 
 out. Various remedies are in ufe; but mercurial 
 phyfic is the only certain mode of extirpation. 
 
 BOWEL-GALLED — is a laceration occafioned 
 by the tightnefs and heat, or fridion, of the girths, 
 juft behind the elbows of the fore legs, and is foon 
 hardened and obliterated by two or three applica- 
 tions of a foft fponge, impregnated with common 
 vinegar. 
 
 BOWLS 
 
St>ORTIMG DICTIONARY, }§$ 
 
 BOWLS — is a game played upon a fine fmooth 
 gralTy furface, either fquare, circular^ or oblong, 
 ufed folely for the purpofe, and called a bowling- 
 green. The party may confift of two, four, {ix, 
 or eight, and is generally chofen alternately, after 
 toffing up a coin to decide who fliall have the firfl 
 choice. The fides being feleded, each player has 
 two bowls, which bowls have numerical figures, 
 thereby afcertaining to whom they belong. The 
 leader fends off a fmaller bowlj called the jack, to 
 what diftance he pleafes, it being (by the tofs) his 
 privilege fo to do; this he follows with his firfl 
 bowl, getting as near the jack as poffible: he is then 
 followed by one of the adverfe party, the partner 
 of the firft following, and fo in rotation till all the 
 bowls are played; when as many of the bowls, on 
 cither fide^ as are nearer to the jack than the neareji 
 on the oppofite fide, fo many do the fuccefsful 
 party fcore that time toward the game, and fo on 
 in fucceflion, till one fide or the other have won 
 the match. Sometimes great difappointment hap- 
 pens in the play, when a ball laying very near the 
 jack^ is removed to a diftance by the hit of an ad- 
 verfary's bowl, which remains nearer the jack than 
 the bowl it has driven away ; this is called a rubj 
 and gave rife to the long-ftanding adagCj ^' he that 
 plays at hozuls^ muft expect rubs" 
 
 BRAN — would not have been entitled to notici^ 
 in a work of this kind, had it not been in a certain 
 
 G 2 degree 
 
;^ SPORTIN^G DICTIONARY. 
 
 degree of conditional life with horfes of different 
 defcriptions, in ficknefs as well as in health. Bran 
 is an article almoft generally known to be the 
 coarfer part of the (kin or covering of the grain 
 called -wheats from the body of which ^owr is manu- 
 faftured, and bread made. With fome people 
 (particularly in the country parts of the kingdom, 
 who are defirous of keeping their horfes at little 
 expence) bran conllitutes a principal part of their 
 food; in confequence of which, it becomes necef- 
 fary to advert concifely to its known efFeds. From 
 its nutritive property having been taken away,, it 
 contains little more than the means of diftending 
 the frame, without the generative quality of enrich- 
 ing the blood, or contributing to the formation of 
 flefli. Not calculated to become a primary obje6l 
 of fupport, it may in fome ways be brought into 
 ufe as a collateral of utility. Horfes belonging to 
 bakers and meahnen^ who have been principally 
 fubfifted upon this article, with the addition of a 
 few fplit beans, (or peas,) have become purfive and 
 thick^winded; then afthmatic; laflly, dull, heavy, 
 and inactive; dying at nine or ten years old; when 
 a large ball, or mealy concretion^ (of different fizes 
 in different fubjecls,) has been found in the fto- 
 mach or inteftinal canal, of a moft impenetrable 
 hardncfs, to the 'weight of ten or twelve pounds. 
 Though not proper for food in its dry flate, it is a 
 moil ufeful article in maflies with malt^ to difunite 
 and prevent the fatiating richnefs of that article 
 
 alone : 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 85 
 
 alone; or to affid in common mafhes with oats, 
 (when a horfe is in phyfic,) a:i well as to incorpo- 
 rate with a proper impregnation of honey in the 
 mafhes for colds during the fe verity of the winter 
 feafon. 
 
 *' On the 15th of Novemberg 1799, died, after 
 having been difordered fome days, a horfe belong- 
 ing to Mr. Ranfom, of Hitchin. The caufe^of his 
 death w^as owing to a fubftance found in his fto- 
 mach, of a brown colour, exa£lly refembling a large 
 pebble ftone, very fmooth and h^ar^i on the furface, 
 and weighed iilbs. 14 oz. avoirdupoife. It is nearly 
 fpherical, and meafures juft two feet in circumfe- 
 rence, being about the fize of a man*s head. It is 
 fuppofed to have been occafioned by his eating of 
 hran^ that having been his conftant food." — Sport- 
 ing Magazine. 
 
 BREAKING the Herd — is the ceremony of 
 Jingling out a deer (either ftag or hindy from the 
 herd for the chafe, which is thus performed with 
 His Majefty's eilablifhment in Windsor Forest, 
 A furvey being made of the herd, and the particu- 
 lar deer fixed on iox Jeparation^ the himtfmen, af- 
 fifted by one of the yeomen prickers, ride at a 
 hunting rate, gatiop directly into the herd, conti- 
 nuing fo to do (as the herd divide} at the particu- 
 lar part to which the deer intended to be fingled 
 out continues to adhere. This ceremony is fome- 
 tijnes a v^ry tedioys bufinefs to the men, as well 
 
 G 3 as 
 
SS SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 as to the horfes, as it is no uncommon thing, when 
 they have detached, or reduced a divided part of 
 the herd to a leafh or two brace, (amongft which 
 is the particular deer wanted,) for that number to 
 make a circle of ten, fifteen, or even twenty miles, 
 before the riders, with all their energy, can dif- 
 unite them more than to a fmgle brace^ and not at 
 all to a Jingle deer. When this is effeQed, the 
 hounds, who are in waiting at fome diftance, 
 under the fix remaining yeomen prigkers, are 
 capped forward^ and laid upon the fcent; when 
 the brace finding themfelves purfued, foon divide^ 
 under the impreffion of individual fafety ; and the 
 felefted deer being thus cov[\'^\tit\y Jingled out^ the 
 chafe goes on^ and continues till the deer is taken; 
 unlefs, after a purfuit of proper length, for the 
 ^ fport of the day, he fhould regain the herd, where 
 he is then permitted to remain, and the hounds 
 are drawn off: but if it is either an old hind, or 
 a calf deflined to deaths for the purpofe of blood-' 
 ing the hounds^ a repetition of the original ceremo? 
 ny of feparation takes place, when which is effe8;ed, 
 the chafe is immediately renewed till the objed of 
 hlood is attained. 
 
 BREAKING the Deer— is the aB of cutting 
 open the deer after the chafe, that the purchafed 
 perquifites of blood and garbage may go to the 
 hounds. It is alfo the term for cutting up and 
 drelTing the Jallozv deer called bucks and does. 
 
 BREAST 
 
SPORTING DICTiONARY. S7 
 
 BREAST-PLATE,-.an article in horfe furni- 
 ture of great utility with light carcafed horlcs, who 
 very frequently, in both hunting and racing, run 
 through their girths. It ii> made of either fpring web 
 or foft leather, as mod agreeable to tafle or fancy, 
 and is faftened by buckles to fmail loops fcrewed to 
 the tree of the faddle, juft under the upper faddle- 
 flap behind the withers of the horfe; from whence 
 the two parts divide tranfverfely, and one paffes 
 down each fhoulder to the point of the breaft, where 
 they are united to a ftrong ftrap, having holes, a 
 buckle and loop, through which loop one of the 
 girths is pafTed when the faddle is put on, and being 
 thus fixed, it is confidered almoft an impoflibility 
 that any alteration can take place in its litu- 
 ation, but by the manual alTiftance of mafter ox 
 grooni, 
 
 BREEDING— is the produftion of colts in a 
 fiud principally or folely kept for that purpofe. 
 The methods of bringing up colts vary according 
 to the purpofe for which they are intended, whether 
 for the turf, field, draft, or road. The breeders 
 of opulent magnitude in the northern counties, 
 moft celebrated for the breed of horfes in Britain, 
 are too w^ell (killed in the pradical part to require 
 the leaft aid from theoretic in{tru6tion. They are 
 well convinced, by the unerring principle of well- 
 founded experience, that found Jires, well fliaped 
 dams, good fummer care, arid winter kc^p^ are 
 
 G4 ^ the 
 
S$ SPORTING DICTlONAilY, 
 
 the means (and the only means) to infure welU 
 grown, ftrong and valuable flock for any of the 
 before mentioned purpofes to which they are af- 
 terwards to become appropriate. 
 
 BRIDLEj—the well-known article by which 
 we are enabled to ride, guide and regulate the 
 {peed and aftion of the moft noble, fpirited, power- 
 ful and valuable animal in the creation. They are 
 of different kinds, as moft applicable to the mouth 
 and temper of the horfe; confifting o[ fnajles^ 
 Pelhams^ Hard-and-JJiarps^ Weymouths, Sec, There 
 are alfo others of different conftruftiops; but as 
 they appertain principally to the military manege 
 and the riding-kouse, a minute defcription would 
 afford neither ufe or entertainment to the fporting 
 world, for v;hom this Work is more immediately 
 intended. 
 
 BRIDLE-HAND.— The left is fo called, in 
 contra-diftin6lion to the right, which, in racing, is 
 termed the whip ; and in military evolutions with 
 cavalry, called the [word hand. Thofe who are 
 deemed good fportfmen, or complete horfemen, 
 manage the reins with equal dexterity, and one 
 hand is generally as much in ufe as the other. 
 
 BROKEN WIND — remains in its long-ftand- 
 ing ftate of profeffional ambiguity; for, notwith- 
 {landing frequent diffeftions ipuft have afforded 
 
 every 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. t^ 
 
 every afllftance to earneft inveftigation, yet no au- 
 thenticated, well-eftablifhed opinion has tranfpired, 
 fufficiently attracting or corroborative to fix a crir- 
 terion upon which fcientific or public faith feem in^ 
 clined to rely. Since the appearance of " The 
 Gentleman's Stable Dire6lory," (about fourteea 
 years fince,) a great variety of veterinary writers^ 
 and veterinary pra6litior\ers^ have emerged from 
 obfcurity in the metropolis, as well as in different 
 parts of the kingdom. One has defined broken 
 wind to be *^ an inflammation, which continuing 
 a length of time, throws a quantity of extravafated 
 blood into the windpipe^ where it occafions a kind 
 of roaring : this was the opinion of an eminent 
 veterinarian, delivered upon a horfe caufe tried be-* 
 fore Lord Kenyon in the court of King's Bench. 
 In this fublime defcription there certainly appears 
 no brilliant or fatisfa6lory elucidation. A recent 
 writer fays, "Broken wind is a diforder that a horfe 
 is fubjeft to when he is fufFered to ft and too long 
 in the flable without exercife; by which means he 
 contra6ls grofs and thick humours in fuch abun- 
 dance, that, adhering to the hollow parts of his 
 lungs, they flop his windpipe." So much for the 
 " fublime and beautiful." A third attributes it to 
 ^* a relaxation or rupture of the phrenic nerves, 
 which caufe the motions of the diaphragm." A 
 ^ouxih fupp of es "the difeafe to proceed from a mor^ 
 hid or obllru6led flate of the glands, and membranes 
 of the head and throat, the enlargement of which 
 
 prevents 
 
so SPORTINO DICTIONARY, ^ 
 
 prevents a free paffage to the wind." DoBor D^r- 
 winj fpeaking of humoural afthma, attributes it to 
 ^* a congeftion of lymph in the air cells of the lungs, 
 from defective abforption.'- 
 
 Others, harping upon thQ fame Jiring^ Gonftitute 
 ^n echo of 7iearly the fame found : '' In my ideas, 
 ^ redundance of lymph being thrown upon the 
 lungs, the quantity becomes too great for the ca- 
 pacity of the abforbent vefiT^ls; hence it flagnates, 
 and choaks up the air conduits; and the theatre of 
 its adion being more confined, of courfe refpira-^ 
 tion muft be more difficult and labbrious," All 
 which divefted of the tranfpofition of words, is the 
 opinion of the prefent writer, promulgated in his 
 Stable Direftqry, '^ that the difeafe originated in a 
 fizey ftate of the blood, which at length becoming 
 vifcid and ftagnant, occafipned obftrudions in the 
 firft inftance, laftly tubercles^ by which refpiration 
 became imperfeft, and one or bpth lobes of the 
 lungs inadequate :o the execution of their office." 
 However literary fpeculators may differ in either 
 opinion pr defcription, no great diverfity of opinion 
 can happen upon the ftibjed of relief; palliatian 
 may be obtained; perfeft mre muft uQt he expeBed. 
 
 BROOD, — awordalmoft indifcriminately ufed 
 for the young of any fowl. There is, however, a 
 inuch nicer and more fporting-like diftin6lion. To 
 fpeak properly, we fay, a brood of ducks, a clutch 
 
 of 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 91 
 
 of chickens, ^Jetting of gulls, a covey of partridgeS| 
 and a nide of pheafants. 
 
 BROOD MARE — is a mare kept folely for the 
 purpofe of breeding colts, and put to no other ufe 
 whate\^er, 
 
 BROW ANTLER— the firft branch from the 
 beam in the head of a flag, 
 
 BUCK — the male of the fallow deer. In his 
 firft year he is calle-d a fawn ; he is then a pricket / 
 and laftly a buck. In colour they are mottled, 
 fandy, or a deep dingy brown, approaching to 
 black. The males have horns; the does none. 
 Buck venifon is very fuperior to doe; and when 
 well fatted, fells from three to four guineas each 
 haunch. The feafon for it in the higheft perfe£i:ioi> 
 is from June to September. 
 
 Buck hunting — has been of late years but 
 little pradifed, very few of them affording chace 
 enough to render it a matter of much fporting at- 
 tra6;ion ; particularly if bred in a park, whence, 
 from its being fo much aecuftomed to the fight of 
 the human frame, it becomes in fome degree like a 
 kind of domeftic animal. They were much hunted 
 by the late and great (Culloden) Duke of Cumber- 
 land; but with his hounds (called buck hounds) 
 h^ drew for and roufed his outlying deer in Cran* 
 
 bourne 
 
gf SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 iournc Chace^ near Windsor Great Park. When 
 found in this way, they frequently went away well 
 .acrofs the country, and fometimes afforded tolerable 
 fport. The bucks fted their Ao?'7Z5 (called heads) 
 annually in April or May, which, with the flvins 
 of both bucks and does killed within the year, (if a 
 park is large,) make no inconfiderable perqujfite to 
 the keeper/ 
 
 BULL DOG.— A bull dog, though inoffenfive 
 and harmlefs when properly domefticated, forms, 
 to the eye of timidity, a moft terrific appearance ; 
 the doubtful and defigning leer of the eye, the 
 tiger-like fhortnefs of the head, the under-hung 
 jaw, the widenefs of the forehead, the width of the 
 fkuU, the diftenfion of the noftrils, and the almoft 
 c'onflant fight of the teeth, hold forth a very em- 
 phatic fpecimen of the power they poffefs, when 
 that power is angrily brought into aftion. The 
 breed is by no means fo numerous as formerly, 
 in confequence of the gradual decline of bullr 
 baiting, and the great number taken abroad, for 
 many of which very great prices were obtained, 
 The natural ferocity, ftrength, and thirft for blood, 
 in this animal, rendered them a formidable nuifance 
 in their unreflrained flate, and they are now feldom 
 feen at their full liberty, either in town or country; 
 the owners, from a proper fear of the law, finding 
 it more prudent to keep them properly confined, 
 
 J 
 
 BULL 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARV* 93 
 
 BULL-BAITING — was formerly not merely a 
 pleafing purfuit, but an extatic diverjion^ of the 
 mod unfeeling, and-leail humane, part of the very 
 loweft, and moft abandoned, orders of the people. 
 To fuch a pitch of prevalence had it arrived in 
 fome particular parts, and was fo much confidered 
 to give additional callolity to the minds of its cruel 
 and incondderate abettors, that the more poliflied 
 and humane claffes of fociety made ftrong and re- 
 peated efforts for its total abolition^ by endeavour- 
 ing to obtain an a6t of the Legiflature for that pur^ 
 pofe; which, however, unluckily failed of the inten- 
 tional effeB; ; for the bill being rejected by a very 
 trilling m^ajority in the Houfe of Commons, it left 
 the fport at the full liberty of every fubj eel to enjoy^^ 
 who is not reftrained by any more humane, fublime 
 and manly fenfations of his own, prompting him 
 to believe it " more honoured in the breach than 
 the obfervance." The towns of Stamford^ in Lin^ 
 colnJJiire^ and Wokingham^ in Berk/hire^ are now, 
 perhaps, the only places of any note where the fport 
 (as it is called) is obftinately perfevered in, or en- 
 tkujiajtically and annually repeated by the clamours 
 of thofe unfeeling advocates for citfio7n^ who, int 
 the language of Shylock, claim '* it as a right, andu 
 will not be deprived of it." 
 
 The firft bull-bait in this country is fuppofed to 
 have been at Stamford, in the year 1209, in the 
 reign of King John, and at Tutbury, Stafford- 
 
 fliire. 
 
54 ^i^OllTlNG DiCTIONARt. 
 
 fhire^ in 1374. The introdu8:ion of it at S(amJ 
 ford was ds follows. '' Williain, Earl Warrerij 
 Lord of this town, {landing upon the walls of the 
 caftle, faw two bulls fighting for a cow in the 
 callle meadow, till all the butchers' dogs purfued 
 one of the bulls (madded with rtoife and multitude) 
 clean through the town. This fight fo pleafed the 
 Earl, that he gave the caftle meadow, where the 
 bull's duel began, for a common to the butchers of 
 the town^ after the firft grafs was mowed, on con- 
 dition that they fhould find a mad bull, the day fix 
 weeks before Chriftmas-day, for the continuance of 
 that fport for ever.'' 
 
 *' George Staverton, by wilh dated May i^, 
 1661, gave the whole rent of his dwelling-houfe 
 at Staines, after two lives, to buy a bull annually 
 forever; which bull he gave to the poor of the 
 town of Wokingham, to be there baited, then 
 killed^ and properly divided- the offal, hide, and 
 gift money, to be laid out in fhoes and ftockings 
 to be diftributed among the children of the poor* 
 The alderman and one Staverton (if one of the 
 name Ihould be living in the town) to fee the work 
 done honejlly, that one of the poors* piece did not 
 exceed another in bignefs," 
 
 Thefe feem to have been the principal donations 
 upon which the praftice was originally founded, 
 and afterwards continued upon the plea of charity 
 for its juftification. To give it a degree of fingu* 
 
 iarity 
 
sporting' dictionary. 9^ 
 
 iarity in the town of Wokingham, St. Thomas 
 (21ft. Dec.) is the day dedicated to the fport^ and 
 the market^placie the fpot deftined to the facrijice. 
 
 Let the refleclirtg mind indulge one moment in 
 awful rumination upon the dreadful feene and 
 " note of preparation." On a day when every 
 well informed mind, and duly difpofed heart, muf^ 
 feel inclined to follow the dictates of religious in- 
 culcation ; v/hen a certain imprefTive filence per- 
 vades the whole; when the devout, the aged, and 
 the infirm, await the fignal by which they are fum- 
 moned to receive every comfort and confolation: 
 from clerical benediftion; it muft be to all good 
 hearts a mortifying circumftance, that the very bell 
 -which tolls to bring the moral and religious part 
 of the inhabitants to their duty in the church, is 
 alfo the fignal for bringing a poor, harmlefs, un> 
 offending animal (with his chain) to the Jlake, In- 
 credible it mufl feem to thofe who have never vrit- 
 neffed the cruelty of the fcene, that this very flake 
 is fixed (and called the bull-ring) in the center of 
 the market-place of a market town no more than 
 twelve miles from the feat of Majefly, and thirty 
 only from the metropolis of this great and en- 
 lightened kingdom. 
 
 Without enlarging much upon the " hellifli 
 pra6lice" of the /port itfelf^ it cannot be inappli- 
 cable to advert one moment to the effeO: a fcene of 
 
 io 
 
g§ SPORtiNC DICTIONARY. 
 
 fo much infatiate cruelty muft inevitably product 
 upon the growing offspring of the lower claffesj 
 in tov/ns where a cuftom fo generally execrated is fo 
 ihamefully carried on. Previous to the eommence- 
 tnent, " every heart beats high with the coming 
 joy ;'* not a window but is crowded with women 
 and children; not a ftreet, or an avenue, but is 
 crowded with brutes, the very fcum and refufe of 
 fociety from every part of the furrounding country) 
 and then begins a fcene of the moft cruel and in* 
 fernal praftice that ever entered the heart of maUj 
 under the appellation o^ f porting mirth to the mul,* 
 titude. In the church of this town, on Sunday^ 
 the 20th day of December^ (being the day previous 
 to the baiting of the bull,) 1801, a fermon was 
 preached by the Rev. DoQ:or Barry, which fermon 
 is fince publifhed, and where the following palfages 
 may be found* 
 
 '' Gracious God! benevolent Parent of the 
 univerfe, what a prodigy muft he be in a Chriftian 
 land, who could thus difgrace his nature by fuch 
 gigantic infamy, at which the blood of a heathen, 
 of a very Hottentot, might curdle ! Two ufeful 
 animals, the bull, who propagates our food, and 
 the faithful dog, who protefts our property, to be 
 thus tormented! and for what purpofe? Does it 
 tend, as fome^have faid,* to keep alive the fpirit of 
 
 * Mr. Windham in the Houfe of Commons* 
 
 the 
 
SPORTING dictionarV, 97 
 
 the Englifh chara8:er? In anfwer to this we muft 
 remark, that the barbarous fport (if fport it can 
 be called) was unknown to the ancient bravery of 
 our anceftors; was introduced into this country in 
 the reign of a bad king; and earneftly do I pray to 
 Almighty God, that in the reign of a moft pious 
 and-benevolent Prince, it may he for ever fet ajide! 
 Cowards, of all men the leaft unmoved, can both in- 
 Aid and witnefs cruelties*" 
 
 " The heroes of a bull-bait, the patrons of ttier* 
 cenary pugilifts, and the champions of a cock-fight, 
 can produce, I fliould think, but few, if any, 
 difciples brought up under their tuitionj who have 
 done fervice to their country either as warriors or 
 as citizens; hut abundant are the teftimonies which 
 have been regiftered at the gallows of her devoted 
 vi6lims, trained up to thc[e pui-fuits o^ bull bait^ 
 ing!!!" 
 
 Thus much upon its morality: now to a defcrip- 
 tion of its praftice. The bull being chained to the 
 ftake, which chain extends to about fifteen yards 
 in length, and terminates in a very ftrong leather 
 collar paffing round the neck of the bull; and his 
 horns having been previoufly muffled at the points 
 (by the profeffional amateurs) with a compofition 
 of tow^ tallow^ and melted pitchy the ceremony thus 
 commences. Thofe gentlemen beft calculated to 
 appear in the chara6l,er of defperados begin the at* 
 
 Vol. L H tack 
 
9$ SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 tack by the mod dreadful noifes of different kinds, 
 bellowings, hootings^ and hijfings^ confifting of a 
 complication horrid beyond defcription. Whilft 
 the abandoned crew of raggamuffins are in this way, 
 with their hats and hiizzaings^ endeavouring to ir- 
 ritate him before^ if the poor animal, partially fub- 
 miffive to his fate, remains unmoved, feeming (in 
 the " mind's eye" of rumination) to fay " I fland 
 here an obje6l more Jinned againft than finning," it 
 roufes the infernal malice of the multitude to a 
 certain degree of indignation, which is inftantly 
 difplayed by the confederates behind, who being 
 moRly provided with fharp-pointed fticks, proceed 
 to thofe pleajing punElures, and provoking twifis of 
 the tail, which roufe him from his ftate of humi- 
 liation to a temporary madnefs; when, in the midft 
 of this horror and confufion, the firjl dog is fud- 
 denly leis loofe: and this, to the treble refined and 
 inexplicable fenfations of a bull-baiter, is the mqfl 
 extatic moment of his life ; his very exiftence is ab- 
 forbed in the magnitude of the concern ; his whole 
 {bul is engaged; the mind or memory is no longer 
 itfelf, and the tormentor is as completely mad as the 
 unfortunate obje6l of his perfecution. 
 
 The fcene now advances to a ftate of confufion 
 exceeding all humane conception; the howling of 
 the dogs, ftill in hand, anxious and eager to be let 
 loofe; the roaring and dreadful bellowings of the 
 bull, (particularly if pinned by the nofe to the 
 
 ground ;) 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, iPS 
 
 ground;) the dangerous prefTings, and inceffant 
 hollowing and huzzaings of the mob; the galloping 
 tramplings of the enraged animal; all conftitute a 
 fcene from which the thinking mind retreats with 
 horror, and claims a chafm to renew the defcrip- 
 tion. The firft dog, perhaps, inadequate to the 
 wifhes of his adherents, and not being able to fuc- 
 ceed farther than to increafe the rage of the bull, 
 is aflifted by a fecond, which inftantly roufing the 
 viaim at the ftake to an encreafed exertion of rage 
 and felf defence, as evidently increafes the Aor- 
 rid happinefs of the multitude to a degree be- 
 yond all power of imagination, and to which the 
 defcriptive pen muft bow obedience, and acknow* 
 ledge its inability. 
 
 Should the poor perfecuted animal^ by every 
 ftrenuous effort in its own defence, colled fufficient 
 ftrength to keep its two inveterate foes at bay^ and 
 preferve its noftrils from the blood-thirfty fangs of 
 its opponents, delay does but increafe the determi- 
 nation of thofe previoufly determined; in which 
 cafe refentment is feldom long without a remedy. 
 Stimulated to a greater degree of cruelty by tedious 
 difappointment, a third dog (fhould it be neceffary) 
 is let loofe, as it were by accident^ to affift the other 
 two; when, under fo fevere a weight of accumu^ 
 lated oppreffion, exhaufted nature finks; the poor 
 pitiable obje8: is pinned to the ground by the moft 
 irritable and tender part about him, bleeding and 
 H 2 bellowing 
 
1®0 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 bellowing amidft the fhamelefs fhouts of a fhameful 
 viftory, where five hundred greater brutes have 
 brought a leffer to the ground. 
 
 Not to prolong fo fhocking a defcription beyond 
 the length unavoidably neceffary to its perfe6l com- 
 prehenfion, it muft fuffice to fay, the cruelty is ex- 
 tended by every means that can pofTibly ajfijl the 
 caufe. Prizes are annually advertifed for the bed 
 dogs, thereby inducing the owners to bring them 
 any diflance, not only to increafe and lengthen the 
 fport, but that the ohjeB of mifery may not die too 
 eafy a death ! In the midft of his fufPerings, if the 
 minds of his hellifii tormentors have not been fuf- 
 ficiently fatiated with repetitions of what has paft, 
 collateral aids are called in to roufe his powers (al- 
 ready by an unwearied fcene of perfecution lulled 
 to an apathy) of defence and refentment once more 
 into aftion. Inftances are common where fires 
 have been made under the very body of the bull, 
 when too much worn down, and exhaufled by the 
 jerks of the -chain, longer to. exert himfelf ; pa- 
 tiently he (lands, with the blood ftreaming from his 
 noftrils, totally infenfible to the twiftings of his taii^ 
 even to diflocation, the continued goring with 
 flicks pointed with nails, and a long lift of experi- 
 ments equally to be abhorred, only tend to 
 ftrengthen, moft incontrovertibly, the dreadful ef- 
 fect fuch fcenes (exultingly enjoyed) muft have 
 upon the rifing generation, whofe minds muft, by 
 
 a familiarity 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. lOJ 
 
 a familiarity with the frequency of the fcene, be 
 rendered totally callous to every fenfation of ten- 
 dernefs and humanity, even in the very hour of in- 
 fantine infatuation. 
 
 BULL RUNNING— is a purfuit of the bull in 
 a way no lefs cruel and difgraceful to the humanity 
 of this enlightened country than what has been be- 
 fore defcribed. By cuftom in the manor of Tut- 
 bury, in StafFordfliire, as mentioned at almofl the 
 head of the lad article, a bull was given by the 
 prior to the minftrels. After undergoing the tor- 
 ture of having his horns cut off, his ears and tail 
 cropped and docked to the very ftump. his noftrils 
 filled with pepper, and his body befmeared with 
 foap, he was turned out in fuch a pitiable Hate to 
 be hunted, (this was called bull running;) and when 
 taken, or held long enough to pull off fome of his 
 hair^ he was then faftened to the ftake, and baited. 
 To the great honour, however, of the Duke of 
 Devonfhire, (Steward of Tutbury,) and not lefs fo 
 of the people who petitioned againft it, the bull 
 RUNNING at Tutbury was entirely aboliflied in the 
 year 177B. 
 
 BURROWS, — are the holes or cavities in the 
 earth of a rabbit warren, where they bring and 
 breed up their young, as well as where they in- 
 ftantly retire to for fafety, upon the approach of 
 danger. 
 
 H 3 CADE 
 
lOS SPORTING DICTIONARY* 
 
 C. 
 
 CADE — was a borfe of the beft bloody fpeed^ and 
 lottom^ ever bred in the kingdom. He was foaled 
 in 1734; got by the Godolphin Arabian; dam 
 (Roxana) by the Bald Galloway. He beat moft 
 horfes of his time, and was afterwards, as a stal- 
 lion, the fire of Changeling, Matchem, Young 
 Cade, Mercury, Merryman, Cadormus, Bold, 
 Bywell Tom, Victim, Turpin, and a long lift of 
 et ccetera's ; through the channels of whofe different 
 progenies his blood is to be found in almoft every 
 ftud of celebrity from one extremity of the kingdom 
 to the other. 
 
 CADENCE,— divefted of its mere technical idea 
 in the manege, is, in horfemanfliip, what time is in 
 micjic^ uniformity in manners, or confiftency in 
 conduft: a horfe complete in his cadence^ is to be 
 confidered perfe8: in his a8ion, 
 
 CALKING, or Corking^— \s the proje6ling part 
 erroneoufly formed at the heels of horfe-fhoes in 
 general, particularly in frofiy weather; at which 
 time their utility may be admitted, and, in fad, 
 cannot be done without^ where horfes are in frequent 
 ufe. Thefe calkings, however, cannot be juftified 
 upon any fcientific principle whatever^ without 
 
 chance 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 103 
 
 chance of accident to the rider, and of lamenefs to 
 the horfe; for upon level ground the horfe cannot 
 move but in a diftorted motion; and if the promi- 
 nence in the fhoe comes into immediate contact 
 with a rolling-ftone, or a proje8ing part in the 
 pavement, ligamentary lamenefs probably enfues* 
 If it is found neceffary to bring them into ufe at 
 all, even in frojly weather^ both heels fhould be 
 equally raifed, as there will be much lefs danger in 
 a double than a fingle calking. 
 
 CALOMEL — is a medical article, well known 
 by this name as the mildeft preparation of mercury : 
 it is in general ufe in private praQice, and a certain 
 fpecific for the obliteration of zvorms in horses, 
 when added in proper proportions to the ingredients 
 for purging-balls, 
 
 C AMPHIRE — is a vegetable concrete, unftuous 
 to the touch, with a fragrant fmell, fomewhat like that 
 of rofemary, and a bitter pungent tafte, accompa- 
 nied with a fenfe of coolnefs on the tongue. It is 
 volatile, like eilential oils, but without their acri- 
 mony: it burns in water; it receives no empyreu- 
 raatic impreffions; nor does it fuffer any refolution 
 from any degree of fire, to which it can be expofed 
 in clofe veifels, though readily combuftible in the 
 open air. Camphire is known to be good, if, when 
 it is put upon hot bread, it becomes moift; if dry, 
 it is bad. It Ihould be kept in a glafs ftopper 
 
 H 4 bottle, 
 
104- . SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 bottle, or clofe tied in a bladder, not more to pre- 
 vent it from lofing its property, than to prevent 
 the lofs of the whole by exhalation. Ufed as a me- 
 dicine, internally or externally, it has a narcotic 
 efFeO;, and greatly diminifhes the irritability of the 
 fyftem; as an external, it is fingularly ufeful, par- 
 ticularly in weaknefs, rheumatic pains, or fpafmo- 
 die afFeftions, 
 
 CAMPHORATED SPIRITS— is a prefcrip^ 
 tion {landing in the Difpenfatory of the London 
 College of Phylicians, and is thus prepared. 
 *' Take of camphor two ounces; rcQified fpirit of 
 wine, one quart; fhake frequently till the camphor 
 is diffolved/' It is a very ufeful embrocation in 
 flight ftrains, as well as to prevent the breaking of 
 chilblains in the winter feafon. 
 
 CAMOMILE.r-^The flowers are fo ufeful in 
 fomentations, that no good fportfman in the coun^ 
 try fhould ever be without them in the houfe. 
 
 CANKER, — a difeafed ftatc of the foot of a 
 horfe, originating in a negle61ed thrufli, which 
 having acquired a corroflve property by its reten- 
 tion, continues to rot and deftroy the furrounding 
 parts, till, by a judicious feparation of the fungus 
 from the found parts, frefh granulations may be 
 promoted, and the cure confirmed. 
 
 CANKER 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. ] 0.> 
 
 CANKER — in the ear of a dog, is moflly occa- 
 fioned by injury from bufhes in beating or hunting 
 covert, and might be eafily cured at firft with a 
 little Friar's balfam, or tin6ture of myrrh: this 
 being omitted, a rigid efchar forms upon the fur- 
 face, when which is feparated by accident (as it re- 
 peatedly is) it leaves the wound larger than before. 
 A very flight touch with the butter of antimony^ is 
 the fureft and beft mode of deftroying the founda- 
 tion of inveteracy, and healing the wound. 
 
 CANKER — in the mouth of a horfe, invariably 
 proceeds from an injury fuftained from fevere and 
 improper jerks of the bridle by the paflion and pe- 
 tulance of the rider: in the feat of the wound or 
 laceration, is formed a fort of infenfible flough, 
 which either a little burnt alum, or borax powdered 
 fine, and fprinkled upon the furface, will foon fepa- 
 rate, and bring away : the part will afterwards pro- 
 niote its own cure. 
 
 CANTH ARIDES.— Spanifli flies, the principal 
 ingredient in every compofition prepared for the 
 purpofe of bliflering; fome of which are in the 
 form of ointments; others, lefs powerful, are ap- 
 plied as liquids, and called liquid blifters. 
 
 CAPARISON — is moflly ufed as a military 
 term, appertaining to cavalry regiments, and ap- 
 plicable to the apparatus of every individual; the 
 
 faddle^ 
 
106 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 faddle, bridle, houfings, holders, and trappings, of 
 every diftinftion. 
 
 CALF — is the male produce of the Jlag and 
 hind : they are the largell of the fpecies in England, 
 and known in the aggregate by the general appel- 
 lation of RED deer; thefe are moftly the natives 
 of forefts and chaces, (as Windfor and the New 
 Forefts, Sherwood, Enfield Chace, Szc) in contra- 
 diftinftion to fallow deer^ bred in parks, and called 
 BUCK and doe; their produce a fawn. 
 
 CALLS — are inftruments for imitating the call 
 of partridges and quails; fome of which are fo ad- 
 mirably executed, that, with thofe who are adepts 
 in the execution of the plan, and the management 
 of the nets, it becomes a pleafing, if not a profita- 
 ble, amufement, 
 
 CAPON; — a young cock diveRed of his tefles 
 (by incifion and feparation) fo foon as he is large 
 enough for the operation : the befl time is at about 
 three or four months old. The only ufeful intent 
 is to acquire additional fize and growth, as capons 
 are frequently killed of feven, eight, and even nine 
 pounds weight, 
 
 CARP — are efteemed one of the richeft frefh 
 water fifh we have in the kingdom: they are the 
 j^rincipai flock of park canals and manor ponds, 
 
 to 
 
SPOHTIN'G DICTIONARY. 107 
 
 to the owners of which they afford confiderable 
 profit; particularly near populous cities, where 
 they can be difpofed of to advantage at the feafon 
 ■when fuch ponds are drawn, and new ftockcd wqth 
 ftores. Much fuccefs depends upon the nature of 
 the foil where the pond is fituate: if in a foft mar- 
 ley kind of earth, or warm clay, impregnated 
 with hazel earth, and a muddy bottom, they thrive 
 beyond expeBation; but upon a dead, blacky 
 moory gravel, or a flinty, chalky bottom, they 
 are fleril beyond defcription, in both growth and 
 propagation. They are a fifh fo exceedingly fhy, 
 (or fo exceedingly cunning,) that they afford very 
 little fuccefs to the angler, who ought to be one 
 of the mofi; patient adventurers that ever embarked 
 in fporting fpeculation. They are but little found 
 in running dreams or rivers, notwithflanding very 
 large quantities of fmall liores are conftantly thrown 
 in from the refervoirs and breeding ponds of gen- 
 tlemen living in the vicinity of fuch rivers, not 
 more to get rid of their own fuperflux, than to 
 promote a friendly fupply for the accommodation 
 of their neighbours. In large ponds, w^ell flocked, 
 the poachers are never deficient in means of pro-* 
 curing themfelves ajliare: this they efFe8: by form- 
 ing a paflc of crumbled bread, flour, and treacle, 
 to which they add fome of the coculus indicus (an 
 Indian berry) in powder: this being well incorpo* 
 rated, and thrown into the pond in various parts, 
 ^bout the fi^e of common baits, in the latter part 
 
 of 
 
lOS SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 x>f the evening, the fifti will be found at daylight in 
 the morning floating upon the fur face in a ftate of 
 ftupefatlion, when they are taken out with the 
 hand clofe to the bank without the leaft difficulty. 
 This is a bufinefs carried on to a wonderful extent 
 for thirty and forty miles round London, in which 
 circle the /ji^^^m o^ fupply is as regularly conduced 
 as the firft commercial concern in the metropolis; 
 as will be feen when we come to a more minute 
 defcription of the art under the head Poaching. 
 
 CARMINATIVES— are all fuch warm aro- 
 matic feeds or medicines as expel wind, amongft 
 which may be juftly ranked moft of the fpices; 
 likewife anifeed, carraways, cardamoms, ginger, 
 grains of paradife, &c. They are excellent aids 
 in the flatulent diforders of horfes; but fliould 
 not, if poflible, have been too long in theJJiop^ as 
 fome of them lofe their property by long keep- 
 ing. 
 
 CARROTS — are, after the fair experiments of 
 late years, become an article of very confiderable 
 confumption, as a collateral kind of food for the 
 fupport of horfes employed in agriculture. The 
 moft candid attention, and minute obfervation, at 
 length admits, that horfes having a proportion of 
 carrots, waftied, cleaned, dried, and cut either 
 alone, or mixed with the barn chafl', do their work 
 as well, look as firm in their ftefti, and fine in their 
 
 coal> 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 105 
 
 coat, as thofe who are kept upon corn, chaff, and 
 hay. Although their utility in this way cannot be 
 denied, yet it muft be remembered, they are not 
 Tufficiently nutritious for horfes in hard or expedi- 
 tious work upon the public and polling roads; they 
 require a more firm, fubftantial fupport: for horfes 
 in eafy, flow, and moderate work, they anfwer 
 well, incorporated with other articles; or even 
 alone, in fmall quantities; but if given too largely^ 
 they attenuate the blood, and impoverifh the frame. 
 
 CART HORSES.— The horfes fo called are 
 principally the horfes employed in drawing farmers'* 
 waggons, carts, and the plough; as well as the infi- 
 nity employed with waggons upon the turnpike 
 road, in the conveyance of articles in trade froin 
 one part of the kingdom to another. The in-: 
 credible number fupported in the metropolis, and 
 its environs, by the merchants, breweries, coal 
 merchants, carmen, and the proprietors of wharfs, 
 exceed the utmofl: conception of thofe not ac- 
 cuflomed to fuch profpe6ls, or to fuch calculations. 
 Of cart horfes this kingdom has to boaft different 
 kinds, and thofe kinds are moft judicioufly appro- 
 priated to the different work, and different coun- 
 tries, for which they feem to be more particularly 
 or individually adapted. Great pains have been 
 taken, and no expence fpared, to improve this pe- 
 culiar and moft ufeful breed of horfes to the utmofl 
 
 pofTible 
 
110 SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 pollible pitch of perfe6lion. The forts moftly in 
 ufe, are the large heavy blacks, for which Leicefter- 
 fhire, Lincolnfhire, and the midland counties, are 
 the moft remarkable; the little ftout, uniform 
 punches from Suffolk; and fome of the ftrong, 
 hardy Jlurdies from Clydefdale, in North Britain. 
 The former of the three forts, v/hen well fhaped, 
 and uniform, conftitute as perfect beauties to the 
 contemplative eye of the patriotic agriculturift, as 
 the bed bred blood horfes can poffibly do to the 
 moft enthufiaftic admirer of the turf. From thefe 
 midland blacks of the largeft fize, ftrength, and 
 uniformity, are feleded all the capital ftock of the 
 moft opulent firms and manufaftories in and round 
 the metropolis. Thofe one degree inferior in 
 height, ftrength, uniformity, and price, conftitute 
 the hell teams of the farmers in Berkshire, Hants, 
 and Wilts; at the principal market towns of which, 
 as Readings Wallingfo7-d, Abingdon^ Bafingjloke^ 
 Alton^ Alresford^ Wuichejler^ &c. may be feen fome 
 of the ftrongeft, handfomeft and fineft teams of 
 draft horfes in the kingdom without exception. 
 
 The Suffolk punches are a confiderably coarfer 
 kind of horfe, lefs uniform in fhape, and lefs con- 
 ftant in colour; they run greatly into a mealy chef- 
 nut, or roan forrel, having moftly a blaze in the 
 face, with a white mane and tail; they are very 
 ftaunch to their work, and the hardieft, perhaps, 
 of any horfe brought into ufe. Thefe qualifica- 
 Z lions 
 
STORTING DICTIONARY. Ill 
 
 tions deftine them to the pofTeflion of fmall far- 
 mers, having the leaft money, and, in general, to 
 countries having the leaft keep. By the account 
 of a previous writer, they are entitled to a more 
 pre-eminent (ituation. He fays, " they are nimble 
 walkers and trotters : they have ever proved them- 
 lelves the trueft and beft drawers in the world, as 
 well as the hardieft and moft ufeful cart and plough 
 horfes. Their nimblenefs, it fliould feem, is owing 
 to their moderate fize; and their immenfe powers 
 in lifting weight, to the fame caufe, combined with 
 the low pofition of the fhoulder, which occafions 
 weight to be afted upon in a juft and horizontal 
 direction. Their fuperiority over all other horfes, 
 at drawing dead pulls, is, no doubt, in fome mea- 
 fure owing to early training, as in no county is 
 fuch pride taken in teaching horfes to draw; and it 
 is well known, that a team of Suffolk horfes, the 
 fignal being given, will all down upon their lyiees, 
 and leave nothing behind them, that is within the 
 power of flefh and blood to draw away." 
 
 Of the Clydefdale or Scotch horfes it it faid, 
 ^* they are probably as good and ufeful a draft 
 horfe as any we are poffeffed of; larger than the 
 Suffolk punches, being from fifteen to fixteen hands 
 and a half high; ftrong, hardy, and remarkable true 
 pullers; a reftive horfe being rarely found amongfl 
 them. In iliape, plain made about the head, fides, 
 and hind legs; moflly grey or brown; faid to have 
 
 been 
 
112 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 been produced from the common Scotch mare and 
 Flanders horfes, a hundred years ago." The fame 
 writer alfo recommends " the mixing a little racing 
 blood with the cart flock; enlarging alfo upon the 
 wonderful exertions in carting bufinef? upon the road 
 by the Cleveland bays, a fort of coach horfes. Al- 
 though bred horfes are, of all others, the moft flug- 
 gifh; yet it is well known, that a crofs of their blood 
 gives fpirit and a61ivity to the heavier kind of horfes." 
 
 CASTING NET.— In a half extended form, 
 (when in part fufpended from the ground, and red- 
 ing on the leads fixed to its bottom,) it refembles a 
 bell in its fliape; but when caft in the water ^ or 
 fpread on the ground, it conftitutes a complete 
 circle. They are made of different dimenfions; 
 and fo conflru6led, as to be completely grafped by 
 the right and left hand, having the centre of the 
 net fpread over the left fhoulder; when, by a fud- 
 den exertion, (in which there mufl be great expert- 
 nefs,) the net is fo cafl as to fall upon the water in 
 its utmojl circular extent; where finking with all 
 pofTible expedition, by the weight of the lead 
 affixed to its edges, which now becoming the bot- 
 tom, inclofes within it all the fifh in the fpace fo 
 covered, and from whence no one can efcape. To 
 the centre of the net is fixed a line of ten or twelve 
 feet long, which line, in throwing (or cafting) the 
 net, is of courfe extended, the extremity being pre- 
 vioufly faftened to the wrifl: when the leads have 
 
 reached 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 115 
 
 reached the bottom of the water, and reft on the 
 ground, the fifli rife into the bell part of the net; 
 then the perfon having the line in hand begins to 
 draw the net gently to land; in doing which, the 
 edges approach each other at bottom, where there 
 are tucks to receive the fifh; and thofe, particularly 
 roach^ perch^ and gudgeons^ are fometimes caught 
 in great abundance. The perfon calling the net 
 fbould ufe a. round frock, or a jacket without but- 
 tons; for want of ufing which precaution, many a 
 fportfman of this defcription has received a com- 
 plete and dangerous ducking, to which he did not 
 feem to think himfelf fully entitled. 
 
 CASTING THE Hair; — an alm.oft obfolete (or 
 provincial) term for a horfe's fhedding his coat. 
 
 CASTRATION— is the lofs of the tefticles by 
 extirpation, which requires a very nice eye, and 
 Heady hand, in the operator: for, although it has, 
 in general, been performed by Vulcanians of the 
 inferior order, who are ftrangers to the delicate 
 {lru61ure and formation of the parts, yet it is now 
 to be anxioufly hoped, we are faft emerging from 
 former ignorance, and that we fliall become as ex- 
 pert and dexterous in this art (if not fo famous) as 
 the Italians, There are two modes of operation ; 
 one of thofe not of long ftanding: the original 
 manner of operating was by firft cafling the horfe 
 upon a bed of ftraw, properly prepared for the 
 Vol, I. I purpofe; 
 
114. SPORTING DienONARY, 
 
 purpofe; then fecuring the teftes by bandage, an<l 
 making an incifion longitudinally through the 
 fcrotum; laying bare the tellicle, and, after making 
 firm a waxed thread around the fpermatic cord, 
 the tefticle was then extracted by the knife, and the 
 farther effufion of blood prevented by the hot iron, 
 or a8:ual cautery. This is the method ftill in ufe 
 in molt parts of the kingdom, and moft probably 
 where the greater number of colts are bred; but in 
 the prefent increafe of veterinarians, fome verifi- 
 cation of the old adage, " New lords, new laws," 
 muft be expected ; and they proceed in a different 
 way. 
 
 Prefuming upon the poflibility of the cauterized 
 efchar coming away by chance or accident, and the 
 profufe haemorrhage that might probably follow, 
 before the apparatus could be again colletled, and 
 the horfe reduced to a proper pofition for fecuring 
 the arteries from a farther effufion of blood, the 
 following mode is now adopted. The horfe being 
 caft, and the incifion made through the fcrotum, as 
 before defcribed, the fpermatic cord is then fe- 
 cured by paffmg acrofs it a flit ftick up clofe to the 
 body, which is fecured at each end with the waxed 
 thread ufed by flioemakers : this aHing as a tourni- 
 quet upon the artery, the feparation and diffeftion 
 is then made with the knife; after which a few 
 pledgets, of warm digeflives, are introduced; na 
 cautery at all applied; a trifling inflammation, w4th 
 
 confequent 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 115 
 
 coniequent difchargc, cnfucs; the fuperfluous parts 
 flough ofF) and ten days or a fortnight terminates 
 the whole. 
 
 In refpeft to the agz and fiafon mofl applicable, 
 and heft adapted^ to the operation, cuftom and ex- 
 perience feem to have left no room for improve- 
 ment : twelve or thirteen months old is the beft 
 time to perform the operation, and in the months 
 of April^ May, or June^ that either extreme of 
 heat or cold may be equally avoided. In the laft 
 feven years, feveral pra6litioners of the new fchool 
 (to fhew the fuperiority of art over nature) held 
 forth the theory of caftrating horfes of any age^ 
 without the leaft confinement or reft, the fubje6l 
 being permitted to go dirc6lly about his bufiners as 
 ufual. This propofition was too furprifing, and 
 too alluring, not to obtain converts; numbers ac- 
 quiefced; theory was in a variety of inftances re- 
 duced to practice; and the practice foon proved 
 (to the mortification of the owners) the truth of the 
 adage, " Dead men tell no tales." 
 
 CATARACT,— the technical term for a defed 
 of the eye, to which no particular caufe of origin 
 has been yet decifively afcertained. The faculty 
 define it, " an opacity of the cryftalline humour of 
 the eye, which prevents the rays of light palling to 
 the retina, and of courfe preventing vifion." Doc- 
 tor Hunter, fays, "it is when an inflammation in 
 I 2 the 
 
1 1 5 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 the coat of the cryftalline humour hath rendered it 
 opaque." But Mr. St. Yves feems to be of 
 opinion that the cryftalline humour fwells. He 
 alfo divides the cataraQ into the true^ the doubtful^ 
 Siud falfe : the true he fubdivides again into three; 
 the doubtful into four ; and the falfe into the glau- 
 coma, and the Ihaking cataraQ. All this divifion 
 and fub-divifion feems little regarded even by the 
 moft curious and indefatigable in anatomical re- 
 fearches; particularly as it is much to be regretted, 
 that, with every profefiional and energetic endea- 
 vour, no medicines, external or internal, have ever 
 been difcovered, that are known certainly capable 
 of removing this diforder. In the human frame, 
 methods of operating on the cryftalline humour 
 were fuccefsfuUy pra8:ifed by Sharp, Daviel, and 
 others; little, hov/ever, is to be expeQed with the 
 horfe. In fuch cafe, perhaps, it may be " better 
 to bear thofe ills we have, than venture upon thofe 
 we know not of." 
 
 CATHARTICS — are fynonimous with purga- 
 tives, and include all medicines of that defcription. 
 
 CAUSTICS — are medicines which externally 
 conftitute a deftruQiion of the texture (or fuper- 
 ficies) of the parts to which they are applied. 
 Cauftics are of different kinds, and of various 
 powers, according to the redu6lion, or extirpation, 
 for which they are intended. The adual cautery, 
 
 or 
 
SPORTING DICTION^ARY. 117 
 
 or red-hot iron, is ufed in firing, as well as for the 
 farther prevention of fand-cracks already broke 
 out. The antimonial cauftic, or butter of anti- 
 mony, (in judicious hands), is a complete and 
 perfeft cure [ox poll evil^ fiftula^ quittor^ and canker 
 in the foot. Lunar cauftic is an admirable counter- 
 aftion to warts, and faft-fhooting fungus. Red 
 precipitate is an excellent fubftitute, when fo much 
 ftrength is not required; few wounds in horfes can 
 be brought to a favourable ftate of cicatrization 
 vyithout it. 
 
 CAVESON— is an article ufed in the breaking 
 of colts, as well as in the manege: it confifts of a 
 iemi-circie, of iron or blocked tin, pafiing round 
 the nofe, about five inches above the noftrils, 
 having three hinges or joints, concave on the in* 
 fide, and covered with leather, lift, or woollen 
 cloth. This has three fwivel rings, one in the 
 center of the nofeband, and one on each fide; to 
 all or either of which the reins are affixed, that he 
 may be accuftomed, in the ring, to pace either to 
 the right or left. The cavefon is mounted with a 
 headftall, fomewhat fimilar to the headftall of a 
 bridle : and to the rings on each fide the cavefon, 
 are ftraps long enough to be buckled to the fides of 
 the faddle, that his head may be kept in«a proper 
 pofition (when bearing upon the colt's bit) to render 
 him pliable, and to infure a good mouth. 
 
 I 3 €HAGE. 
 
118 SPOPvTiNG DICTIONARY. 
 
 CFIACE. — A cbace is, in general acceptation, 
 confidered a receptacle for game, interfperfed with 
 Jtrn^ thickets^ underwood^ and probably with fmall 
 couerts^ for its prefervation. It is underilood to 
 be fuperior to a park, but inferior to a foreft, 
 having none of thofe laws for its proteftion. It is 
 not unfrequently the property of a fubjecl, and is 
 then proteded by its own manerial rights and pri- 
 vileges. Chaces there are, alfo, the property of 
 the Crown; and thofe are generally regulated by 
 the forest laws, as is the cafe with Cranbourne 
 Chacc^ fituate in Windsor Forest. 
 
 CKASE.— The chafe, as well as other pleafures 
 of equal attraftion, has had its moft inveterate op:- 
 ponents, as well as its equally determined devotees* 
 Various and vehement have been the declamations 
 againft it; equally numerous, and equally energetic, 
 have been the expoftulations in its defence. That 
 it was prattifed, and enthufiaftically enjoyed, by 
 the ancients, as perfeveringly purfued by the mo- 
 derns, and will be continued to the end of time, 
 (in oppoiition to every fpecies of puritanical ri- 
 gidity,) will not admit of the leaft contrariety in 
 opinion. The chase, taken in a general point of 
 view, includes the chafe of every defcription, and 
 implies a purfuit of game (or vermin) found in a 
 ftate of natural liberty, with a body (called a pack) 
 of hounds, v/ho follow the objeft, whatever it may 
 be, by the fcenl left on the ground, (from which an 
 
 1 effluvia 
 
5P0RTINQ DICTIONARY. 119 
 
 effluvia exhales,) fo fooa as the game -thus found 
 inay have broke from their viexv. Upon the fubject 
 o^ fcent^ its origin, its duration, and its evapora- 
 tion, innumerable conje6lures have been fported by 
 literary theorifts; ia oppohtion to the anirnadver- 
 fion upon which, much more might be introduced; 
 but as it mufl unavoidably terminate, like all other 
 matters of hypothefis^ to which no criterion of cer- 
 tainty can be produced, very little entertainment, 
 and no pojitive information, can be derived from the 
 inveftigation,. 
 
 The CHASE, in this its moft comprehenfive mean- 
 ing, implies hunting of every kind^ whether stag, 
 rox or hare, (with either or all of which, the otter 
 is not of fport or magnitude fufficient to be put in 
 competition.) Thefe three different kinds of chafe 
 afford equal fport, but in a more diftincl and dif- 
 ferent way from each other; mod admirably adapted 
 to the different inclinations, difpofitions, and per- 
 fonal fenfations, of the various admirers who enter 
 into its fpirit, according to the different ftages of 
 life and gradations of age. Fox hunting, it muft 
 be admitted, is moft applicable and exhilarating to 
 the fire and impetuofity of unreftrained juvenility., 
 ox manhood more matured; where, perhaps, the 
 pleafure is enhanced only in proportion to the dif- 
 ficulties of the day, upon the military principle of 
 ^' the more danger, the more honor." 
 
 , I 4 Stag 
 
1£0 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 Stag hunting may probably be more adapted 
 to the tafte or prudence (or more appropriate to the 
 wifhes) of the sportsman, who having paft the 
 meridian of life, has long fince difcovered the 
 value of time^ and knows how to appreciate its 
 lofs : he wifhes to infure a chafe of two or three 
 hours to a certainty^ without employing perhaps 
 dm.hle that time before the game is found ; with the 
 additional chance of exploring a dull and dreary 
 journey of fifteen or twenty miles home, in a dirty 
 country, with no other confolation, than a great 
 deal of riding, but a blank day. 
 
 Hare hunting is, in the eftimation of the fport- 
 ing world, held in a certain degree inferior to the 
 other two, (fo far as hard riding and perfonal cou- 
 rage is concerned;) becaufe the exercife is not fo 
 violent, nor is the chafe of equal duration. In- 
 deed, ftrong advocates for stag and fox hunting 
 hold this fport exceedingly cheap, and fatirically 
 fay, ''it is better calculated for the initiation of jw- 
 veniles^ the entertainment of women^ and the amufe- 
 ment of thofe gentlemen in the more advanced 
 ftages of life, who, like the old w^oman in the farce, 
 is highly pleafed '' with the found of the fiddle^ 
 though no longer able to dance.'' Hare hunting, 
 however, though not fo attraBing to thofe v»^ho wilh 
 to recount the difficulties, the toils and viciflitudes 
 of the day, after a long chafe, yet to the contem- 
 plative mind of refle^lion, much more of the mi- 
 
 nutics 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 121 
 
 nutice of huntings and the inftinB of animals, is to 
 be enjoyed than in either of the other two : of this 
 moft probably ample proof will be adduced, when 
 they come to be feparately enlarged upon under their 
 different heads. 
 
 CHALLENGE— -is a term ufed for the firft 
 tongue of a hound after throwing into covert, to 
 draw either for /ox ^ or an out-lying deer. Upon the 
 challenge of a fingle hound, if he is ftaunch, and 
 to be relied on, a general filence enfues ; ears are 
 all open for a repetition, and every eye for a view ^ 
 the huntfman (who well knows how far to depend 
 upon the truth of the declaration) inftantly encou- 
 rages the pack to the promifed point, by " haj'A 
 to Gamhoy r " hark to Galloper T or whatever may 
 be the name of the favourite hound fo to be relied 
 on. The hounds by this means are immediately- 
 rallied to the precife fpot, and ready to go off in a 
 body with their gam.e, as a lucky find, frequently fol- 
 lows an unexpefted challenge; more particularly 
 in the prefent fafhion of going to covert, at a time 
 of day when our predeceffors of only one genera- 
 tion pail ufed to return. 
 
 CHAFFING,— fo called, is a lofs of hair, and 
 laceration of the fliin, by the pad of the faddle 
 having got too hard in the ftuffing from conftant 
 ufe, and for want of timely circumfpedion. It is 
 alfo frequently occafioned by the extreme heat and 
 
 fri6lion, 
 
122 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 friction, in continuing to travel very long Jldges iij 
 the hotter months, without more frequent relief or 
 reft to the horfe. This is a very common fault, or 
 aft of indifcretion, with the mechanical part of the 
 community; who pofTeffing rather too much of the 
 Jpirit of trade, anxioufly endeavour (in the extent 
 of thei. fagacity) to do much more, in lefs time, 
 than nature ever intended, by humanely travelling 
 a horfe tivo .J}.ages inftead of one, thereby faving 
 moft arithmetically one half the expence, upon the 
 city principle of Old Philpot, that ^^ ^ ^tnny favcd^ 
 is a penny got J* 
 
 There cannot be a more prudent precaution in 
 either fportfman or traveller, than an occafional 
 infpeBion of the Jluffing of the faddle, which in^- 
 variably gets hard with conftant ufe: it fbould 
 fometiraes be beat and foftened with a ftick, after- 
 wards lightly raifed in every part with the point of 
 a packing needle, and made fmooth and free from 
 lumps upon the furface, by which means every 
 chance of injury will be avoided. Nothing can 
 be produ61ive of more anxiety than a fore back of 
 the horfe, either to the traveller on his journey, 
 or a fportfman in the field; or any thing more mor- 
 tifying, than^to recolleO: fuch injury originated in 
 the negleB of the majler, and not in a fault of the 
 horfe. The backs of fome well-bred and thin- 
 fliinned horfes, particularly young ones, are fubjed 
 to Chajfing and warbles upon very (light occaiions; 
 
 to 
 
 I 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 123 
 
 to countera8: which, nothing can he hetter, more 
 fimple, or more eafily obtained, than two or three 
 table -fpoonsful of the bed white wine vinegar, 
 bathed cold upon the part, and that fo foon as 
 the faddle is taken ofF^ and while the pores are 
 open, 
 
 CHARGE — was a favourite part of former 
 pra61ice in farriery, and confifled of compofitions 
 in the form of an adhefive mafs, which being 
 plajlered upon the part afflicted, was there left to 
 O.EI as a corroborant^ an emollient^ a difciitient^ a re- 
 pellent^ or, in fad, to effeB: any pu'^pofe intended, 
 or that the cafe might require. Thefe preparations 
 were applied in different dates, and were de- 
 nominated hot or cold charges^ according to the 
 mode in which they were laid on. As, however, 
 no great proofs of their efficacy were ever eda- 
 blifhed, or any authenticated records of their utility 
 known, they feem to have glided out of modern 
 praftice, and been totally fuperfeded by the more 
 rational introdu8:ion of penetrative dimulants, in 
 fomentations, embrocations. Sec. which come into 
 more immediate contact with the affe6led parts, 
 "where injury has been fudained. 
 
 CHEST — is the part of a horfe comprehended 
 in the fide view, from his wither to the bottom of 
 his ribs near the elbov/, at the upper part of the 
 fore arm; and is perfectly underftood, when we 
 
 fay, 
 
1^4 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 fay, " that horfe is well let down, and deep in the 
 cheft." If, in addition to this, he is "round in 
 the barrel," he may then be faid to have a good car- 
 cafe. To judge well of the cheft, it is neceffary to 
 come before, and take a front view, if which is 
 broad, and the horfe ftands wide and firm, it is a 
 proof of ftrength; but if narrow in the breaft, 
 (alias the cheft,) he will not only be very likely to 
 cut before, but to become cheft-foundered, if put 
 to any extraordinary exertions. 
 
 CHEST-FOUNDERING, — a debility in the 
 fhoulders, cheft and fore-quarters of a horfe, feem- 
 ingly lefs underftood, and certainly lefs explained 
 hitherto, than any one diforder or defeO: to which 
 the horfe is incident. Thofe who have written upon 
 this fubjeft, evidently echo each other; as they 
 literally and individually fay, " it proceeds from 
 hard labour, whereby the horfe becomes furfeited; 
 fo that, upon the whole, it is no more than a fevere 
 cold, and is to be managed accordingly." Thefe 
 are, in faft, the very words of Bracken, who pre- 
 cedes it with this remark : " Moft authors agree it 
 is fo;" giving no opinion of his own^ beyond its 
 originating in a " fevere cold," and is to hcfnanaged 
 accordingly/' He fays, " the figns are a ftaring 
 coat, and heaving of the flanks more than com- 
 mon." That a cheft-foundered horfe may happen 
 to have a faring coat^ or a heaving of the flanks, 
 from fome different or remote caufej cannot be de- 
 nied ; 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 125 
 
 nied; but that either of them are diagndllic fymp- 
 toms of cheft-founder, no fcientific praditioner v/ill 
 ever admit. 
 
 A horfe faid to be chefl-foundered, is almoft in- 
 variably contraQed in the breaft between the points 
 of the fhoulders; becoming narrower there, as if 
 there was a wafting of thofe particular parts. If 
 you put him into a trot^ he moves his legs one be- 
 fore the other with great difficulty, as if they were 
 internally conneQed, and prevented farther exten- 
 fion by two latent links of a chain. When prefTed 
 to a gallop, the cafe becomes inftantly decifive; he 
 labours to get his legs from under him without fuc- 
 cefs; a general conftriQion pervades the w^hole of 
 his fore parts; and his a6lion may, with much 
 more propriety, be termed jumping than galloping. 
 
 Although no one author has given a proof he 
 ever bellowed an explanatory thought, or conde- 
 fcended to tranfmit a fingle line, upon the ahfolutc 
 caufe of this very common defeB:, yet it by no means 
 feems fufficiently involved in ambiguity, to render 
 fair conjefture, orprofeffional opinion, a matter of 
 the lead difficulty. As the diforder is invariably 
 fixed upon thofe fubjefts who have done the mojl 
 expeditious and conftant work, without having been 
 ever known to affied thofe who have done little or 
 none; fo it is natural to conclude, the intercoftal 
 and fubclavian mufcles muft have fuftained injury, 
 
 from 
 
125 SPOkt-t^'G DICTIONARY. 
 
 from the inceflant vibrative concuffions occafioned 
 by the almoft eternal contraftion and expanfion of 
 thofe parts, in fuch labour as horfes are put to who 
 become TubjeB: to the misfortune, which partakes 
 much more of oppreffed nature than of difeafe. It 
 fhould feem, by the great number of horfes (de- 
 cidedly cheft-foundered) who experience evident re- 
 lief, and go with much l^fs pain and difficulty, when 
 they have got warm, that the mufcular parts acquire 
 rigidity when in a ftate of ina8;ion, but expand, 
 and gradually throw off the ftrifture, fo foon as 
 the circulation is encreafed by a8:ion, and perfpi- 
 ration produced ; both which fubfiding, the pre- 
 vious ftiffnefs returns. Let, however, what w41l be 
 the caufe, (and upon which the beft opinions may 
 vary,) inftances are very rarely or ever known of 
 perfe8: cure, or complete eradication. Long reft, 
 by either a fummer or winter's run, will always be 
 found produ6:ive of relief, and fometimes hold 
 forth a defcriptive promife of permanence, v;hich 
 very mild and gentle work may continue; but hard 
 riding, long journies, or fevere labour, will always 
 produce a relapfe. 
 
 CHILDERS — was diftinguiflied ^xovafour others 
 in fucceffion of the fame name, by the appellation 
 of the Devonshire, or Flying Childers, having 
 been the fleetejl horfe ever bred or trained in this 
 kingdom, and faid to have ran a mile in a minute. 
 The fa6l, however, was not fo ; he went the fourth 
 
 of 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 127 
 
 of a mile at the rate of a mile in a minute, and 
 beat every horfe of his time witheafe. He was bred 
 by Mr. Childers; was foaled in 1715; and got 
 by Barley's Arabian, dam (Betty Leedes) by 
 Careless. He covered as a ftallion, and was fire 
 of Firetail^ Blacklegs^ Second^ Plaiftow, Siiip^ and 
 Commoner ; all good runners, particularly the firll 
 three; alfo Blaze^ Winall^ and Spanking Roger -^^ 
 horfes of fome note; as well as Lord W. Man- 
 NERs's Poppet^ (an extraordinary runner at five 
 years old,) Steady^ Fleece'em^ Sec. He covered 
 but very few mares, except the Duke of Devon- 
 fhire's. 
 
 Bartlet*s Childers was likewife bred by Mr, 
 Childers, and was own brother to Flying Childers. 
 
 Hampton Court Childers was got by the 
 Devonfhire Childers, dam (Duchefs) by the New- 
 caftle Turk ; and was likewife bred by Mr. Chil- 
 ders. 
 
 Smale's Childers was bred by Mr. Smale, and 
 foaled in 1726. He was got by Bartlet's Childers; 
 dam by the Byerly Turk. 
 
 Childers, commonly called Grey Childers^ was 
 bred by Lord Chedworth, and got by the De- 
 vonfhire Childers; dam by Sir W. Wharton's Com- 
 moner. 
 
 CHOLIC. 
 
128 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 CHOLIC. — The diforder fo called in horfes, is 
 properly divided into two kinds, and fhould be 
 carefully attended to in the attack, before medi- 
 cines are adminiftered in one^ which might have 
 been more applicable in the other. One fpecies of 
 cholic (which is the mofl common) originates in 
 a retention of confined air, from having been fup- 
 plied with too much flatulent provender, or too 
 much water^ at an improper time. This diforder, 
 in general, foon fubm.its to warm, cordial, anodyne 
 medicines, accompanied by friQion and flank rub- 
 bing; feldom terminating in death, though always 
 accompanied with fymptoms of danger. The other 
 is produced by hardened faeces plugging up the in- 
 teflinal canal, and frequently proves fatal : the leall 
 delay is dangerous, and too much expedition cannot 
 be ufed to obtain relief. In the " Gentleman's Sta- 
 ble Direftory," they will be found diftinftly de- 
 fcribed, and the m.ode of cure explained. 
 
 CLICKET — is the fporting term for the aft of 
 COPULATION with both HARES and foxes. During 
 the firft warm weeks in February, v/hen the 
 onales and females feek each other, they are then 
 faid to be clicketting; or that at this particular 
 feafon they go to clicket. After conception^ they 
 are faid to be knit ; when the doe hare or vixen 
 lox will make the mofl: powerful and perfevering 
 efforts before the hounds to fave their lives. Jack 
 HARES and DOG foxes at this feafon generally fly 
 their country^ and lead long chafes. 
 
 CLYSTERS 
 
SI*0RTIX'G DICTIONARY* l29 
 
 CLYSTERS — arc, in a variety of cafes, and 
 upon many emergencies, fo truly and fo expedi- 
 tioufly ufeful, (without the leaft danger of being in- 
 jurious,) that their falutary efFeQs cannot be too 
 well known, or too generally underftood. They 
 are differently prepared, from a decoQion of the 
 aromatic garden herbs, as marjhmallows^ camomile 
 flozvers^ and wormxoood^ grueL a handful o^ falt^ and 
 half a pint o^ oil ; or, indeed^ from any of the pre- 
 fcriptions with which books upon phyfic and far- 
 riery are generally loaded. When prepared, and 
 of a proper warmth, they are gently conveyed into 
 the body through a wooden pipe, to which is fixed 
 a large bullock's bladder, containing the clyfter to 
 be injefted. The pipe having been previoufly 
 moiftened upon the furface, with either fvveet oil or 
 lard, is then infinuated v/ithin the fphinder of the 
 anus; when which is effe6i:ed, the ftring hanging 
 from the bladder (and to the other end of which the 
 coik is annexed, that plugs up the internal mouth 
 of the pipe confined in the bladder) is fteadily 
 pulled with the right hand, while the left is em- 
 ployed in keeping the pipe in its proper fituation, 
 and fupporting the bladder with its contents: upon, 
 the cork's being v.'ithdrawn, and a free paffage 
 made for the ciyfler, the hands are prefTcd mode- 
 rately, and in motion upon the bladder, fo as to 
 force the whole into the body; when which is done, 
 the pipe is gently taken away, and the effecl of 
 courfe is waited for. or repeated, if neceflary. The 
 Vol. X, K mild 
 
l;30 SPOUTING DICTIONARY* 
 
 rnild and advantageous mode of obtaining relief by 
 clyjlers^ is greatly preferable to the rough old me- 
 thod of extrafting the dung from the reclum by in- 
 troducing the hand, which is not only producing 
 unnecefl'ary pain to the patient, but very frequently 
 of exciting, inflammation. Every fportfman of 
 experience mud know, that, upon all emergencies, 
 in fever^ ckolic^ Jlrangiiry^ injlammation of the 
 lungs or kidnies^ a clyfler may be fo foon prepared, 
 and fo foon adminiflered, (particularly in remote 
 Situations in the country,) that no gentleman, an- 
 xious for the fafety and prefervation of his Jlitd or 
 Jlock^ fhould be without fuch articles as would en- 
 •able him to adopt fome extemporaneous means of 
 relief, till affiftance (which is fometimes at a great 
 dillance) could be obtained. 
 
 COAT. — The coat of a horfe (which the hair h 
 rallcdj is not only an obje61 of fporting exultation 
 when the horfe is in fine condition, but, to the judi- 
 cious and penetrating eye, is in a great degree indi- 
 cative of the iiate of health. Nothing will fo foon 
 demonllrate the ability^ the care and attention of the 
 GROOM, as the coat of his horfe. If the coat is ob- 
 fcrved to become fuddenly rough, (landing different 
 wavs, with a dully l^uc underneath, and the hair to 
 look harili and briftly upon the furface,- the blood 
 is then lizey, and tending to an unhealthy flate; 
 the porous fyflem has been collapfed by fome 
 chilling expofurc to zuet or cold; the integument 
 
 acquires 
 
SrORTING DICTIONARY. 131 
 
 acquires a tightnefs and rigidity, ^vhich, if not re- 
 lieved, foon diiplays itfelf in Tome flight degree of 
 difeafe: this may, in general, be prevented, by ta- 
 king away blood, and proceeding upon a fhort 
 courfe of antimonial alteratives* 
 
 COCKING — was formerly a fport {o exceed- 
 ingly prevalent (from the great and perpetual vari- 
 ety it afforded in betting) that matches were con- 
 ftantly fighting between different counties, as well 
 as opulent individuals, and at moft of the horfe- 
 races in every part of the kingdom, for very con- 
 fiderable fums of money. This pradice, however, 
 like every oxh^x f pedes o{ Jporting^ in the courfe of 
 time, opened fo great a field for villainy amongfl: 
 the fubordinates, who become unavoidably inftru- 
 mental,, (as feeders^ fetters-to^ and ajjijiants.) that, 
 in addition to the incredible expence of breedings 
 -walkings feedings matching^ removing and carrying 
 cocks from one walk to another, collefting them 
 when brought up to fight, injuries fuftained upon 
 their walks, confequent difappointments when ta- 
 ken up, with a long train of collateral confidera- 
 tions, have very much reduced both the fport and 
 the breed in every part of England. 
 
 When all the leading expences are brought into 
 one point of view previous to a main of cocks be- 
 ing placed in the pens^ and the aggregate of expen- 
 diture annexed to the match inoney, (then to be de- 
 
 K 2 pofited,) 
 
1,32 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 pofited,} it plainly appears, that any man fo fight- 
 ing, is doing it at a difadvantage of two to one 
 againft himfelf. If he wins, he wins but the match 
 money; this, probably, may, or may not, even pay 
 his expence: if he lofes, he has then loft both the 
 depofit^ and his previous expenditure in breeding, 
 feedings &:c. conftituting lofs upon lofs; and if he 
 wins, he is no gainer, becaufe the winning has been 
 abforbed in the predatory payments already de- 
 fcribed. In fa 61, cocking then (diverted of every 
 moral confideration in refpeft to its alkdged cru- 
 elty) is the moft ungentleman-like, the leaft enter- 
 taining, and the moft doubtful in probable profit, 
 that any fportfman of honour and integrity can 
 poffibly engage in : but as falhions continually vary, 
 and it may hereafter undergo a renewal, farther .| 
 particulars refpefting the fport will be found under 
 the proper heads of Game Cock, and Cockpit 
 Royal. 
 
 COCKNEY — is the diftinguifhed appellation 
 by which thofe gentlemen are honoured, who, 
 being natives of the Metropolis, are fuppofed never 
 to have very far exceeded the vibrative limits of 
 St. FauPs clocks or Bow bell. The term, however, 
 well known as it is, would not have been entitled 
 to a place in this colie8:ion, had it not been thought 
 neceflary to communicate to the fporting world, a 
 derivation fo very little known. A citizen of the 
 above defcription making an excurfion Vvith his 
 
 fun 
 
ePORTING DICTIONARY. 133 
 
 Ton to the neighbourhood of Highgatc, the lad (who 
 had never before taken a journey of fuch magnitude 
 and extent) happening to hear a horfe neigh, 
 (which was quite new to hivi^) haftily exclaimed, 
 " How that horfe harks T-^—^^ Barks! you booby," 
 replied the father; " Neighs! you mean. A dog 
 barks; 2i horfe neighs J" They had not proceeded 
 far, when the youth, finding his ears availed by the 
 fudden crowing of a cock^ was fo fafcinatcd with the 
 flirill and unexpected found, that he inflantly at- 
 traBed his companion's attention with, " Hark, 
 father, how that cock neighs /" To which hgppy 
 effufion of fancy, citizens will probably ftand in- 
 debted for the name of cockney to the end of time, 
 
 COCK-FEEDER-T-fignifies a perfon whofe oc-* 
 cupation it is to colleEi^ handle and feed a pen of 
 cocks, to fight fuch main or match as may be made 
 or agreed on, by thofe who depofit the battle mo- 
 ney, and are called the masters of the match. 
 Thefe find or procure the cocks, of which the feeder 
 takes charge; and to his judgment is fubmitted the 
 entire management o^ feleHing^ rejcEling^ feedings 
 phyf cing^ fw eating, fparring^ weighings cutting out^ 
 (alias trimming,) and bringing his bag and cock to 
 the pit; where, upon delivering it to the fetter-to^ 
 his funQion ceafes in refpeB; to that particular cock, 
 till death has fealed his dilgracCj or fuccefs pro- 
 claimed his victory. 
 
 K 3 COCK. 
 
134 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 COCK-MATCH; — an agreement and article 
 entered into by oppofite parties, to fhew any num- 
 ber of cocks (as '^ twenty-one, thirty-one, or forty- 
 one) on each fide in the main and ten in the byes, 
 to fight for ten guineas a battle, and fifty the odd." 
 The cocks fo agreed to be matched, are under the 
 management of their different feeders till the day 
 fpecified in the article for their being Jhewn and 
 weighed ; which day is, upon mofl: occafions, the day 
 hut one preceding the day on which the main begins 
 to be fought. This ceremony is attended to with 
 the mofh fcrupulous nicety on each fide; every 
 cock is weighed precife'y to a quarter of an ounce ; 
 his colour defcribed almofl to a feather ; his marks 
 in the eye, the right and left norrel^ the in right and 
 out left in the feet, are all taken down in writing 
 with the fame accuracy as the weight; the whole 
 being entered in the match-bills to be produced, 
 read, and compared, with the cocks as they are 
 brought to pit at the commencement of every 
 battle. 
 
 The number of cocks having been fhewn and 
 weighed on each fide, the match-bills containing their 
 ■weights are compared; and all thofe who are either 
 dead weights, or within an ounce of each other, 
 are faid io fall in^ and are called main battles; in 
 contra-diflinftion to thofe who do not come within 
 the ounce of each other, and are thrown into the 
 byes; which are generally fought for a trifling fum, 
 
 and 
 
SPORTIN'C DICTIONARY. '\j5 
 
 and have no affinity whatever to the main. Should 
 the cocks thus falling in conftitute either a very 
 fmall or an even number, it is ufual then to feparate 
 cocks of dead zoeights, or the neareft fo, to match 
 againfl others, (giving or taking an ounce in 
 weight,) that the main may be extended in refpecl 
 to the number of battles, and that number to be 
 odd; thereby preventing, if poffible, the mains be- 
 ing undecided; which, indeed, fometimes happens 
 unavoidably by the chance of a drawn battle. 
 
 That the match may be the better underftood, 
 let it be fuppofed that A ftands engaged with B 
 " to fhew twenty-one cocks on each fide, ten guineas 
 a battle, and fifty the main or odd battle." Of 
 thefe fifteen fall into the main; and the remaining 
 fix are throw^n into byes^ and fight for two guineas a 
 battle. It is in fuch cafe a cuftom to fight a part 
 of the byes, both before and after fuch part of the 
 main as is fought on each day^ wdiether it is finiflied 
 in one day, or is a long main of many days dura- 
 tion. The match being concluded, we find A has 
 won nine main battles and tzoo hyes; B fix main 
 battles a.nd four byes; when the winning and lofing 
 will (land precifely thus: A having three battles a- 
 head in the main, is a winner of fifteen guineas upon 
 ihcfingle battles; and winning the main alfo, he wins 
 the twenty -five guineas upon that event; making 
 himfelf the creditor for forty guineas: but in the 
 byes^ B having the advantage o^ four battles to two 
 
 K 4 won 
 
l$§ SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 won by A, afiFords him a drawback of two guineas ; 
 and B is the lofer of thirty-eight guineas battle- 
 money upon the whole match; it being remem- 
 bered, the byes were fought for only two guineas 
 a battle; or, in other terms, a guinea each cock. 
 And this it will be neceffary for young adventurers 
 to remember, that a match made for " ten guineas a 
 battle," is tantamount to five guineas each cock; 
 and " fifty guineas the odd of the main," is aU 
 ways bona jide underflood a depofit (if required] 
 before fighting of five-and-twenty guineas a-fide. 
 
 Cocks of middling fize, and adequate powers, 
 are always confidered the fharpeft and bed fighters; 
 in confirmation of which opinion, cuflom has efla- 
 blifhed the match weights from three pounds {\y; 
 ounces to four pounds eight; none to be fhewn and 
 weighed in the main under the former, or above 
 the latter, unlefs an extenfion to either a loxver or a 
 higher weight fliould be agreed on by the parties. 
 Sometimes (but very feldom) a fhort match, of a 
 different kind, takes place, and is termed a ^^ Jlicigr> 
 lag'' match, (or battle;) which is no more (the bat- 
 tle money having been previoufly agreed on) than 
 " turning the cock out at the bag's mouth" in the 
 pit, to meet his opponent, without ever haying been 
 brought to the fcale, or the weight of his adverfary 
 ^fcertainedv 
 
 In 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 137 
 
 In weighing the cocks, and making the match-r 
 bill, it is an invariable rule to begin with the lightefl 
 pair, who are to hghijir/l^ and fo continue accord^ 
 ing to their weight upwards; fuch fuccelfive pair 
 being heavier than the former, fo that the heavieft 
 pair of cocks is fought the laft. Various fums be^ 
 ing betted upon a match (or main) foon after it is 
 made, it may not be inapplicable to obferve, that 
 thofe who lay the odds in any proportion, 2isjive to. 
 four^Jix lofour^ two to one, (or whatever odds may 
 be laid,) either upon the main or a Jingle battle, is 
 always entitled to the privilege of choojing his Jide^ 
 although it may not be mentioned; and this right 
 he is poffeffed of in confequence of laying the 
 odds, 
 
 COCKPIT,— ^a place appropriated entirely to 
 the purpofe of cock-fighting, for which it is 
 erefted; it is ufually of an oblong or circular form, 
 furrounded with feats, to which the fpeQators pay 
 for admiffion; and in great mains, or fubfcription 
 matches, the feeders generally agree with the maf- 
 ters of the match to receive the whole of this door 
 money, (equally divided between them,) as their 
 compenfation for the fortnight or three weeks they 
 are engaged in feeding the cocks. 
 
 COCKPIT ROYAL.— The cockpit royal is 
 confidered fanclion fufficient for the diverfion of 
 cocK-FIGHTI^'G in every part of the kingdom. It 
 
 is 
 
138 SPORTIXG DICTIONARY. 
 
 is fituate on the foiuh fide of St. James's Park, 
 from which it has its entrance, and was ereded in 
 the reign of King Charles the Second, who, having 
 been himfelf fond of the fport, is faid to have fre- 
 quently honoured it with his prefence, when 
 matches were made and fought amongft his nobles. It 
 is the only place where long mains^ and great sub- 
 scription MATCHES, are fought in the Metropolis; 
 fome of which are for confiderable funis between 
 opulent individuals, who procure their cocks from 
 different parts of the country; and others (particu- 
 larly the fubfcription matches) by many members 
 on each fide, who breed their cocks in diftant coun- 
 ties, but fight them only in town; of which defcrip- 
 tion many matches are annually fought during all 
 the fpring months, when both stags and cocks are 
 in the fined feather and highefl perfection. 
 
 The cockpit is circular, and completely fur- 
 rounded with feats fix tier deep; exclufive of a rail, 
 with (landing room all round the fummit of the 
 uppcrmoft feat; forming, in the whole, a perfe8: 
 amphitheatre. The centrical circle upon which the 
 cocks fight is a raifed mound of earth, (furrounded 
 with boarding,) about twenty feet in diameter, and 
 fhould, according to the technical term o^xh^fpoyt^ 
 be covered with a fine green turf, denominated/oi; 
 in conformity w^ith the general acceptation of the 
 word in the fporting world, where by " the fed'' is 
 implied cocking. By " the turf racing is equally 
 
 underllood. 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 139 
 
 underftood. In all mains or matches fought in 
 the country parts of the kingdom, cocks invariably 
 fight upon the fod; but as it is an article difficult to 
 obtain in the Metropolis, and would be inconveni- 
 ent and inapplicable during hard frojly weather, 
 when many matches are fought, matting upon the 
 furface is fubftituted in its (lead. 
 
 On each fide the circular mound, at its extremity, 
 and exatlly oppofite to each other, are two fmali 
 feats for iht fetter s-to ; who retire to thofe feats du- 
 ring long fighting, or when ordered by the betters 
 and fpeftators {o to do. Direftly over the centre 
 is fufpended from the dome, by a chain, a very 
 large circular branch, containing a great number of 
 candles, affording a profufion of light; for nearly 
 all the matches fought here are very unnaturally 
 decided by nighty the company going to pit at fix 
 o'clock in the evening. 
 
 At the hour previoufly agreed on, the hags con- 
 taining the cocks are brought into the pit by the 
 FEEDERS, or who cvcr they may appoint: they are 
 there received by perfons called the Jetters-to^ 
 whofe qualifications depend upon a quick eyc^ a 
 light hand^ and agile heel; without the whole of 
 which, celebrity can never be acquired in their 
 w^ay. The cocks being taken from the bags, are 
 mofl fcrupuloufly compared in feather and marks 
 with the original defcription entered in the match- 
 bill 
 
140 SPORTING DICTIOxN'ARY. 
 
 bill on the day of weighing; if there fliould prove 
 the mod trifling deviation from which, a miftake 
 unlfid or accidental is fuppofed to have taken place, 
 and no progrefs whatever is made in fightings till 
 it is completely rectified, and the caufe done away. 
 This fcrutiny is ferioufly critical, and made by 
 the FEEDERS, who attend minutely to the match-bill 
 and marks of each other's cocks; which ceremony 
 gone through, and admitted to be right, the feeders 
 retire from the centre of the pit, becoming fpecla- 
 tors; and the fttters-to are then the fole poffeffors 
 with the cocks in hand. In this ftate they are 
 fhewn to each other " beak to beak;'' and if they 
 ^' fhow fight," they are (for form's fake in the firft 
 battle only) given into the hands of the makers 
 (called mafters) of the match, who are fituate in the 
 loweft circular feat oppofite to each other, and they 
 giving the cocks a fet-to tofs upon the mat, the 
 battle begins amidll clamours indefcribable, and 
 offers of bets innumerable, according to the pecu- 
 niary fenfations, opinions and predictions of the 
 different parties interefted in the event, conftituting 
 a fcene very far beyond the power of defcription, 
 and which mufl be feen to be perfectly underftood. 
 
 Bettings now take place of every kind, as well 
 upon the battle then fighting, as upon the main 
 (meaning the odd battle) of the firft three^ the firft 
 fivc^ Sec, Bets made upon the " long main," 
 imply the winner of the match at its termination, 
 
 1 in 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 141 
 
 in contra-diflinclion to betting upon the main of 
 three^ o^ Jive, or o[ feven battles, which are very 
 frequently made. Sometimes the cocks on one 
 fide are rather greater favourites than on the other, 
 from an idea of their being better blood, better fed, 
 or in finer condition; in this cafe, there are offers 
 of, " a ffiilling," — " eighteen-pence," — and not 
 unfreqiientiy even " half a crown for a guinea;'* 
 the meaning of which is, the perfon fo offeriRgj 
 is willing to give you either of the fums men- 
 tioned, to bet him a guinea upon the battle, he 
 taking his choice for buying the bd. The perfon 
 receiving the half-crown to bet a guinea, ftands pre- 
 cifely thus; if his cock is fuccefsful, he is the win- 
 ner of one pound, three fliiilings and fixpence; 
 on the contrary, he can be a lofer of only eighteen 
 Ihillings and fixpence, having previoufly received 
 half a crown from his adverfary toward the guinea 
 he has got to pay; a recolleftion of this advantage is 
 equally neceffary in proportional betting of greater 
 magnitude, as fometimes half a guinea is offered 
 for five pounds, or a guinea for ten. 
 
 Perfons taking thefe bets, whether for large or 
 fmall fums, fhould, if the odds in fighting come to 
 two or three to one in favor of the cock they have 
 backed, immediately take fuch odds, which is 
 called " hedging," (alluding to a fence for the bet,} 
 and the party then flands the chance of vjinnin^ a 
 certain number of pounds to the lofinix of nothins: ! 
 
 This 
 
142 SPORTING DICTIONARY.- 
 
 This is the only mode by which money can be made 
 in a cockpit, and what the profejfional amateurs are 
 always prompted by prudence to do; as it is a very 
 common thing, during a battle, for the odds to 
 vary, till three^ four^ ox jive to one are betted upon 
 each cock: a perfon taking the five to one each 
 way, will confequently derive an advantage oljour 
 guineas from either cock, let which ever will win^ 
 There are never wanting perfons in a pit who are 
 attached to the cocks on one fide or the other; 
 thefe are always ready to offer bets of ten^ eleven^ 
 and twelve iofour^ that the oppofite party "does not 
 win two battles running :" If the cocks on that fide 
 are healthy, properly fed, and in equal condition, 
 with thofe in the other pens, thefe are not bad bets 
 to take. As for inftance; A bets B twelve half 
 guineas to four, that Charles Walter (the feeder) 
 does not win two battles 7^unning : it happens he 
 wins the j^r/?, (which is no. more or lefs than even 
 betting he does ;) then B prudently backs the op- 
 pofite party for two guineas ihtfecond battle of the 
 two, and of courfe (lands the winning of /our 
 guineas to the iofing of nothing. 
 
 In a cockpit, the faculties of every man, who 
 fports his money, muft be feelingly alive, to ef- 
 cape the mod villainous depredations. The family^ 
 who exifl only by the mod abandoned and unprinci- 
 pled fcenes of infamy, are always prepared to deny 
 their hcis zuhen they lofe. particularly with noviciates; 
 
 and 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 143 
 
 and with this advantage, they are always fupportcd by 
 gmtkmtn of their own party on each fide of them, 
 ready io fwear^ " he had no bet with you;" but 
 if he zuins^ he demands his money of you, and 
 receives it; confequently, in the difference of 
 receiving and not payings he has ten to one the ad- 
 vantage of a YOUNG ADVENTURER, particularly as 
 you cannot call for " cover," in the ten thoufand 
 clamours, and Babel-like building, of a cockpit. At 
 the termination of every battle, the betters leave 
 their feats to adjuft, pay and receive the winnings 
 and lofmgs dependent upon the battle juft decided ; 
 it being a regular point, that the wi7iner makes ap- 
 plication to the better who has lojl ; and no dif- 
 grace is annexed to the charafter of the latter by 
 his omitting to follow the former, it being fufficient 
 to pay the bet when demanded. 
 
 There are certain rules and laws of cuftom to be 
 obferved in fighting; the moft material of which 
 it is neceffary to explain. When once the cocks 
 are pitted, neither of the setters-to have the 
 privilege to touch or handle his cock, fo long as 
 they continue to fight, unlefs their weapons hang in 
 the mat, they are entangled with each other, are 
 got too clofe to the edge of the pit, or have left off 
 fighting while the umpire or law-teller can count 
 forty; when, in either of thofe cafes, each frtter-to 
 indantly handles his cock, bringing them beak to 
 leak in the middle of the pit: if one cock has re- 
 3 fufed 
 
144' SPORTING DICTIONARY.' 
 
 fufed to fight while the telling forty took place, 
 bis adverfary, who made the laft fight, with either 
 heel or heak^ is faid to have the firft law in his fa- 
 vour. When brought beak to beak, and fet on 
 their legs, if the cock who did not fight while the 
 forty was tellings continues to decline fighting, the 
 fetter-to of his adverfary (or umpire, if there is 
 one) proceeds to tell ten; which being done, they 
 are again handed, and brought htak to beak; if the 
 fame cock continues flill unwilling or unable to 
 fight, the ceremony of telling ten, and bringing 
 leak to heak^ at the conclufion of every ten, takes 
 place, till it has been repeated ten different times^ 
 when the cock fo refufing to fight has loft his bat- 
 tle. But fliould he fight during any part of the 
 law, (even in telling the laft ten,) what has been 
 told is of no eiTeft, and the firft ten muft be be- 
 gun again, whenever a fight is renewed. Inftances 
 fometimes happen, when the cock who has the long 
 laio in his favour, retreats from the cock feemingly 
 beaten, and in his turn has the law going on againft 
 him; fo that the cock who fights laft has the law in 
 his favour, till one fide or other is counted out. 
 
 If, during a battle, (either by long fighting or a 
 cut down blow,) any perfon offers to bet ten pounds 
 to a croxvn^ or throws his hat^ glove, or handkerchief 
 into the pit, which is the fame thing, and fo under- 
 ftood, though not a word is fpoken, the teller im- 
 mediately begins to tell forty in a deliberate man-' 
 
 ner, 
 
sportinC dictionary. 145 
 
 ner, which being done, he proclaims, " ten pounds 
 to a crown is betted; will any body take it? will 
 any body take it?" No reply being made, the 
 battle is won by the cock upon whom the odds 
 were offered. On the contrary, fhould the bet be 
 accepted in words, or a handkerchief, hat^ or glove, 
 be thrown into the pit, during the time of fo telling 
 the forty ^ it is an acceptance of the ten 'pounds to a 
 crown offered, and the cocks are inftantly handed 
 beak to beak in confequence. If a cock, having 
 the law in his favour, dit^ before the long law is told 
 out^ his adverfary wins the battle, although he did 
 not fight within the law; for there cannot be a 
 greater criterion of victory, than having killed his 
 opponent. 
 
 When the cocks are firft fliewn in the hands of 
 the fetters-to, and either refufes to/ace^ that is, to 
 fight, it is deemed oio battle^ upon the equitable 
 principle, that no man can lofe where he has no 
 chance to win. There are frequently difputes be- 
 tween the fetters-to refpeciing which cock is in for 
 the law in his favour, during the changes which 
 fometiines happen by the various changes in fetting- 
 to during the long lazv ; as well as difputes amongft 
 the fpe8:ators concerning bets made, and mifunder- 
 ftandings during the heat of battle ; to prevent liti- 
 gation, and long-flanding animofity, it is an invari- 
 able rule, that all difputes are to be decided by a 
 majority of the pit; but in all pecuniary alterca- 
 
 VoL. I, L tions. 
 
145 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 tions, both parties depofit their money before tKe 
 quejlion is ajked^ in proof of their readinefs to ac- ' 
 quiefce in the decifion when made. Perfons ma- 
 king bets in a pit, which they were afterwards un- 
 able or unwilling to pay, were formerly drawn up 
 in a bafket by pullies, and fufpended during the 
 flay ; that ceremony, however, is now nearly dif- 
 penfed with, the aggreffor being inftantly turned 
 out of the pit, with a variety of cuffs and kicks 
 plentifully beftowed upon him in the gauntlet of his 
 efcape. 
 
 COCK'S WALK — is the place to w-hich a game 
 chick is removed, from the place where he was bred, 
 (and where he walked under his fire^) to the fpot 
 where he is to remain till taken up to fight; this is 
 called his walk^ of which he is the mafter, not walk- 
 ing under any other cock. They are commonly 
 fent out to walk at fix or feven months old, previ- 
 ous to which they have their combs and gills taken 
 off, and are marked in the eyes^ noj-rilSj 2ind/eet, 
 At this age they are called chickens; when turned of 
 a year old, they are icxmtd Jlags ; and at two years 
 
 old, COCKS, 
 
 COFFIN-BONE.— This bone is fituate at the 
 lower extremity of the foot, depofited in the mem- 
 branpus mafs with which the box (or coffin) of the 
 hoof is lined, and is in nearly the fliape of the hoof 
 itfelf : in the centre of the coffin-bone is a concavity, 
 
 into 
 
SPORTIN'G DICTIONARY. 147' 
 
 into which is infcrted the inferior part of the coro- 
 nary bone^ fupported by the nut bone behind: upon 
 the fuperior part of the coronary bone (that is jufl 
 above the line faid to be " between hair and hoof ) 
 is lodged the lower part of the fetlock bone, its up- 
 per part articulating with the fetlock joint. In- 
 juries are very frequently fuflained by holes m the 
 road, or cavities in the pavement, into which a 
 part, or the whole, of the foot getting, ligamentary 
 twifts or diftortions happen to the lower joints. 
 Too much pains cannot be taken in accurately af- 
 certaining the exa8: feat of lamenefs, particularly 
 in thefe parts, as a great number of horfes are an- 
 nually blijlered zn^ fired by much too haflilvj and 
 upon parts where no lamenefs has ever been. 
 
 COFFIN-JOINT,— the joint fituate below the 
 fetlock, and juft above the union of hair arid hoof; 
 this is the part univerfally known by the term cojin- 
 joint; but, in facl, it is not in reality fo; for this 
 being formed by the upper part of the coronet with 
 the lower part of the fetlock-bone, leaves the whole 
 coronary bone between the fpot defcribed and the 
 coffin-bone. The coffin-joint is buried in the body 
 of the hoof, and is formed by the convex junftion 
 of the coronary bone with the concave part of the 
 coffin-bone, as explained in the article preceding. 
 
 • COLD.—- AcoLD is evidently occafionedby fome 
 fudden tranfuion from heat tb cold, a long expofure 
 
 L 2 to 
 
148 S?ORTIN(5 DICTIONARY. 
 
 to chilling rains, or a confined current of external 
 air, through Tome partial or particular channel; it 
 may be defined dif pedes of difeafe derived from fome 
 one peculiar caufe, to which there may be many 
 probable points of termination, according to the 
 conftitution, or pre-difpofition of the fubjecl at the 
 time of attack. 
 
 Cold is much more likely to be acquired in a 
 horfe by negle6l or indifcretion, than by the effe6l 
 of chance: it is certainly prevented with more eafe 
 than it can be cured; and thofe who ride or drive 
 their cxvn horfes, have this in conftant recolleftion; 
 thofe who ride or drive the horfes of others^ have 
 feldom any fuch recolleftion at all. Horses are 
 hardly ever known to get colds under the eye of the 
 MASTER, but unluckily he cannot be employed in 
 the eternal fuperintendance of afervant^ nor can 
 he carry the horfe in his pocket. Colds unattended 
 to upon the firil attack, not un frequently degenerate 
 to fomething worfe, difplaying its progreffive viru- 
 lence upon the eyes, the lungs, or in glandular tu- 
 mefactions. Colds (in general thought very little 
 of) cannot have their probable tendencies too foon 
 countera8:ed, particularly when it is remembered, 
 that if the blood is previouily in a flate of fizey 
 vifcidity, an inflammation of the lungs may very 
 fpeedily follow, and carry off the patient in two or 
 three days, in oppofition to every medical endea- 
 vour that can be made to prevent it, 
 
 A COUGH 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 149 
 
 A COUGH is generally one of the firfl and moft 
 diftinguifhed fymptoms of cold; for the collapfion 
 of the porous fyflem having thrown the perfpirative 
 matter upon the blood, its circulation through the 
 finer vefTels of the lungs becomes proportionally 
 retarded, and conftitutes the obftruaion and con-^ 
 fequent irritation (or tickliiig) which almoft incef, 
 fantly excites the cough; to relieve which, all wri- 
 ters agree, that bleeding is the firft ftep to be taken; 
 this to be followed by cordial balls, malt mafhes, 
 thin gruel, &c. &c. the particulars of which may 
 be found fully explained in the " Gentleman's 
 Stable Diredory," or'' Compendium of Farriery," 
 by the prefent Author. 
 
 COLOUR.— Strange notions have formerly 
 prevailed, and much hypothetical writing and rea- 
 foning have been equally produced, to collea fuf- 
 ficient criterions to decide upon, for a proof that 
 the ftrengih and conftitutional ftamen of the horfe 
 depended as much or more upon his colour than his 
 formation. Sound judgment, and rational reflec- 
 tion, would, however, induce a well-founded rea- 
 fon to believe, there is more of fancy or fallacy in 
 fuch fuggeftion; and that the old maxim ftill ftands 
 upon firm ground, " a good horfe can't be of a had' 
 colour." 
 
 The bright and the dark hay, the jet hlack, the 
 ^hejnuts^ the hrowns^ and the dappled greys, . are 
 
 ^" 3 each 
 
150 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 each proportic)nally beautiful when in fine condi- 
 tion; and are held preferable in pecuniary eftima^ 
 tion to the forrel^ the dun^ the roan, the flea-bitten^ 
 thtjirawberry, and the nutmeg or iron-grey. There 
 is a prevalent idea amongft people of a certain 
 clafs, that many of the latter defcription are very 
 much inferior in fpirited exertion, lefs calculated 
 for hard work, not fuch good feeders under fatigue, 
 that they feel the efFed of age fooner, that their 
 powers do not continue fo long unimpaired, that 
 they are more fufceptible of difeafe, and, laftly, 
 that they are fliorter lived, than thofe called the 
 hardy colours, firft mentioned. That there will al- 
 ways be a variety of opinions in mere matter of 
 conje6lure cannot be denied, any more than that 
 the framers and fupporters of thofe opinions will 
 magnify 7nole hills to mountains in defence of their 
 own fagacity; notwithflanding which, it muft be 
 admitted, that variety of inferences might be drawn 
 to juftify a conclufion, that many of thofe obferva- 
 tions may have the bafis of truth for their founda- 
 tion, if this was the place proper for fuch elucidation. 
 
 Whatever may be the colour of the horfe, it 
 is a praftice with old fportfmen, and good judges, 
 to rejea white heels^ and white hoofs, if they can 
 be avoided: experience has proved, beyond all 
 fear of contradiction, that white heels are more 
 tender, and white hoofs more fubjeB: to deJtBs^ and 
 fufceptible of injury, in thrujlics^ corns.^ d.n& fand-. 
 
 crack i^ 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 151 
 
 crach^ than any other; and none more fo, than 
 ligrht chefnuts with blazes and white heels : the 
 hoofs are frequently fhelly, brittle, narrow at the 
 heel, difeafed in the frog, and contraQed in the 
 feet. Prudence fhould prompt every man (in a 
 new purchafe) to pay fome refpe8: to the lower as 
 well as the upper ftory; it being evidently more 
 advantageous to reJleBj in time^ than to repent at 
 leifure. 
 
 COLLEGE VETERINARY, — an equeftrian 
 eftablifhment for the improvement of farriery : it 
 is fituate about a mile north-eaft of Tottenham- 
 Court Road, at Camden Town, in the parifh of 
 St. Pancras, and will be explained more at large 
 under the head. Veterinary College. 
 
 COLT, — in the general fenfe, and immediate 
 acceptation of the term, implies a produce from 
 Horse and Mare, without adverting for the mo- 
 ment to either the mafculine or iht feminine gender ; 
 but in a more contracted point of view, (as well 
 as in juil and fporting-like phrafeology,) it is nieant 
 to convey an unequivocal idea, that the produce 
 being a colt, is really fo, (that is a horfe coUj) in 
 contra-diftinftion to the oppofite gender, invariably 
 called ajilly. The bone and growth of a coit de- 
 pends greatly upon two circumftances ; the firft, 
 his being foaled late or early; that is, eai'ly in 
 April^ or late in June} as w^ell as the difference of 
 
 L ^ his 
 
152 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 bis being weaned in November or March. Although 
 it is admitted that colts (in the firft year termed 
 foals) running wjth the dam during the winter, will 
 afford greater probability of fize, bone, and 
 flrength, yet it is not at all times it can be com- 
 plied with, unlefs in ftuds, where hrood mares are 
 kept for that purpofe only, and are left fallow 
 (imcovered) for the feafon. When a mare has 
 been covered with a foal at her foot, and is evident- 
 ly in foal again, it ftiould be an invariable rule to 
 wean the foal in OQ:ober or November, upon tjie 
 palpable impoflibility of giving fuck to the one, 
 without an impoverifliment of the other. Whether 
 the colt is, or is not, weaned in either of thofe 
 months, he fhould be well kept, and have daily 
 fupplies of corn and hay, as well as proper Jlahle^ 
 JJied^ oxjlielter from the inclemency of the winter 
 feafon. Upon the liberal keep of the twq fivft 
 winters, his fize, growth, ftrength, and bone, en- 
 tirely depend, and mufl be particularly attended to, 
 left repentance come too late; for it muft be held 
 in remembrance, that if a colt is frnall at two 
 years old, from having been [tinted in keep^ there 
 is not one in a hundred ever attains to good fize, 
 by any additional exertions or expence, after the 
 natural efforts for expanfion have been fo long re- 
 tarded. 
 
 As COLTS of any defcription (except for the 
 turf) are feldom taken in hand, at leaft offered for 
 
 falcj 
 
k^ 
 
 ':^ 
 
 >^ 
 
 \^- 
 
 
 
 sN 
 
 1^ 
 
 '^ 
 
 
 *^ 
 
 'it t- 
 
 ^ 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 155 
 
 fale, or brought into work, till they are three years 
 old^ it is totally unnecefTary to go into a minute 
 defcription of their ace by the teeth pevious to 
 that period. Suffice it, therefore, to obferve, the 
 twelve teeth in the front of the mouth are, fron^ 
 their original appearance, called colt's teeth, and 
 fo continue to be, till difpoireffed, and followed by 
 others which we proceed to defcribe : and that 
 a matter of fuch neceflary information may (with 
 very little attention} be perfedly underftood, an 
 accurately engraved Plate is annexed, with fuch 
 explanatory matter, as will bring the fubjeO; home 
 to the plaineft comprehenlion. 
 
 Colts' teeth arc, in whitene fs and appearance j 
 not inferior to polifhed ivory; are individually 
 fmoQth upon the furface, or feat of maftication, 
 and fo continue till fome time between two and a 
 kal/sind three years old; when, a few^ weeks fooner 
 qr later, (depending entirely upon their having 
 been late or early foals,) but within the fpace of 
 time fpecified, he fheds the two middle teeth of 
 the SIX in the under jaw: thefe are pufhed forward, 
 and fucceeded by two of a ftronger formation, 
 deeper in color, fluted, as it were, or having fmall 
 grooves from top to bottom, with a natural black 
 cavity in the centre, as reprefented \n figure the firjl 
 of the Plate, when the colt will be found riling 
 
 THREE YEARS OLD. 
 
 ,Somc 
 
154 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 Some time in the lajl half o^ the foiirtk year, the 
 fame procefs takes place with the teeth on each fide 
 the two in the centre, (ah'eady defcribed to have 
 undergone the change;) fo that at four years old 
 we find a repetition of (or addition to) the Jirjl two, 
 at which particular period he becomes poffefled of 
 FOUR horfe teeth in the middle, and 07ie colt's tooth 
 only on each fide, as will be obferved in the fecond 
 Jigiire of tht Plate, where is reprefented the mouth 
 of a colt when four years old off, which he 
 fliould be properly called till the fall of the leaf; 
 after that time it is the cuftom to fay, he is risinq 
 
 At this tim.e, that is, fome time in the autumn, 
 as September, OBoher, or November, (depending 
 a little upon his having been a late or early foal,) 
 he fheds the two remaining outfide or corner teeth, 
 the fucceifors to which continuing to pufh out till 
 the May or June following, when he is full in 
 the mouthj rivE years old, and then called a 
 horfe. 
 
 During the courfe of this year, the fingle teeth, 
 called tusks, feated beyond the corner teeth upon 
 the bars, appear; and proper attention to the in- 
 fantine or advanced flate of this projeftion, will 
 evidently demonftrate the fifth year of age; not- 
 vHthftanding any trifling variation, or fmgular ex- 
 ception, to the law of Nature already laid down; 
 * as 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 155 
 
 as may be accurately colleQ;ed from an attentive 
 infpeftion of the third figure in the Plate, where 
 the fubjeft is to be conlidered " five years old, 
 off, and through the whole of the year is termed 
 *' rifing fix;" the year not terminating till the first 
 OF May, from which every horfe takes his age; 
 and it is cuftomary to fay he is coming {\x^ or will 
 htfix years old next grafs. 
 
 In the fpace of the laft fix months of the fixtk 
 year, the cavity of the two middle teeth of the six 
 (already defcribed to have fucceeded the two in the 
 Jirjl change at three years old) gradually fill up, 
 and when turned of six years old, retain a faint 
 remains of the original black mark^ but is nearly or 
 quite fmooth upon the furface. 
 
 In the lajl half o^ the seventh year, when the 
 horfe is termed " Jix o^," (or rifing feven,) the 
 teeth on each fide the two centrical, laft defcribed, 
 become gradationaUy pofiefied of the fame appear- 
 ance; and when seven years are fully attained, 
 the two outfide or corner teeth only bear any mark 
 of the original cavity. At this period the horse 
 is faid to be aged ; and from this time to the com- 
 pletion of his eighth year^ the faint ma^k in the cor- 
 ner teeth continues gradually to difappear (varying 
 a little in different fubjefts) till quite obliterated, 
 when the age by the teeth is no longer a matter to 
 be relied on, but becomes totally dependent upon 
 
 1 tke 
 
156 SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 the immaculate declaration of the dealer, or the 
 i^fe dixit of the breeder, if that can be bona Jide 
 obtained. This defcription will be found accurate- 
 ly delineated in i\\Q fourth figure of the Plate. 
 
 As the curious, but very common, operation o&; 
 BiGHOPiNG has been properly explained und< 
 that head^ fo another deception^ in full pra6tice b 
 the fraternity of horfe-dcakrs^ muft not be forgot- 
 ten; they confider it a law of privilege, and 
 never omit an opportunity of gratifying their pro-r t| 
 feflional fenfations. By referring to figitre the Je- 
 tond of the Plate, (where the teeth reprefent the 
 fiate of the mouth dit four years old off^) may be 
 feen the four centrical teeth with the black cavities^ 
 and the two colt's teeth at the corners, without 
 any mark at all. In this ftate they are frequently 
 purchafed of the fimple harmlefs breeder in the 
 fountry; but they are very feldom a few hours in 
 the pofTelTion of a dealer, before the fertility of 
 his imagination is at v/ork to reBfy the deficiencies, 
 and to anticipate the very intent and effort of 
 Nature, 
 
 The two corner colt's teeth jufl defcribed, are 
 immediately wrenched from their fockets, with even 
 a common door key, or the firft iron inftrument 
 that can be found applicable for the purpofe; and 
 this is done as a fubftitute for the impending exfo- 
 liation, by way of giving earlier opportunity for 
 
 the 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 15/ 
 
 the appearance and growth of their fiicccffors, that 
 the HORSE may be fliown out as, and affirmed to 
 be, a FIVE YEARS OLD, whcn, in fact, he is pofi- 
 tively no more than four. This is an impohtion 
 very little better than a robbery, and principally 
 pra6lifed upon the young and inexperienced, (the 
 dealer's h^&,/riendsj but feldom attempted to be 
 played off with the old sportsman, whofe very 
 mode of making his examination, fpeedily difplays 
 ar proof of his qualifications, and generally fliiclds 
 him from any very palpable fpecies of depreda- 
 tion. 
 
 When a horse is confiderably advanced in years^ 
 but ftill/z/,//in the/r^me, and freJJi upon his legs^ 
 it is a general rule, even with the befl and mofl 
 experienced judges, to form an opinion tolerably 
 accurate by the length of his teeth; but this can 
 by no means be confidered infallible; as fom.e 
 horfes carry a mouth fo much better than others of 
 a lefsage, that it can conftitute no certain criterion 
 of decifion. 
 
 CONDITION — is a word in frequent ufe w^iih 
 the fporting world, to exprefs the ftate of a horfe 
 in refpea to his health and external appearance. 
 If low in ilefh, rough in his coat, hollow above the. 
 eye, and depreffed in his fpirits, he is then faid to 
 be " very much out of condition^ Bwl, on the 
 contrary, if full of good found flefh, his fkin loofe 
 
 and 
 
15S SFORTIN'G DICTIONARY. 
 
 and pliable, with his coat foft and fleek, he is then 
 faid to be in " perfeft condition to flart," if for the 
 turf; fine condition to take the fields if a hunter; 
 or, if a roadfter, to be in good condition to under- 
 take his journey. Horfes too full of flefh or of 
 blood, are faid not to be in condition^ becaufe they 
 are not fit for ftrong exertions without the danger 
 of difeafe: brought into conllant work in fuch 
 {late, they foon, as it is termed, ^'fall all to pieces;'* 
 that is, if they efcape inflammation upon fome of 
 the various parts, morbidity foon difplays itfelf, 
 either in a fwelling of the legs, cracked heels, bad 
 eyes, defe6live wind, cutaneous eruptions, tum.ours,. 
 or in one of the many ills to which horfes in this 
 Hate will always be fubjeft. 
 
 Experience has fo fully confirmed this facl, and 
 cuftom has fo firmly eftablifhed the great prudence 
 of prevention, that much difgrace and mortification 
 is incurred by both master andvg-y^oow, who are fo 
 unfortunate as to have horfes out of condition ; and 
 this is fo perfedly underftood in the prefent ftate 
 of equeftrian emulation, that the neceffity for occa- 
 fionally cleanfing the frame by bleeding, purging, 
 DIURETICS, or a courfe of alteratives, is not only 
 almoft univerfally acknowledged, but generally 
 pradifed, by every judicious and well informed, 
 sportsman in the kingdom. 
 
 CONSTIPATION. 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. IS^ 
 
 CONSTIPATION— implies that ftate of the 
 bowels, when, for want of the neceffary fecretiou 
 of mucus, their excrementitious contents acquire a 
 degree of folidity bordering upon induration; the 
 dung becomes too hard and adhefive, foetid in 
 effluvia, and dark or nearly black in appearance. 
 A horfe in fuch ftate fhould not be long negleQ:ed; 
 inflammatory cholic and confequent danger may 
 enfue; or an indurated mafs may be formed in the 
 inteilinal canal, which no medicine may have the 
 power to move in time to prevent mortification. 
 Too nice attention cannot be paid to a horfe's re-» 
 gular evacuations: if the body is evidently foul^ 
 he fiiould be proportionally phyficked. Circum* 
 (lances not rendering that perfe6lly convenient, 
 opening mafhes might be adopted, and continued 
 nightly (or oftner) till the conftipation is removed* 
 
 CONSUMPTION.—A confumption is a dif- 
 order to which horfes are very much fubjeft, par* 
 ticularly the carriage horfes of the great and opu- 
 lent: thefe fall victims to the unmerciful ambition 
 of nocturnal grandeur, in the four, five and fix 
 hours ftreet-waiting in the moft dreary nights of the 
 moft dreary winter. Confumptions originate in 
 colds^ which being ill managed or neglefted, confli- 
 tute an increafing vifcidity of the blood; this pre- 
 ternatural confiilence renders it more languid in its 
 circulation ; and it is, of courfe, proportionally im- 
 peded in its progrefs through the finer veffels of the 
 
 lungs. 
 
l60 SPORTING DiCtlOKARV. 
 
 lungs. Here then ohflruBions are firfl formed; as 
 thefe increafe, the paffages become impervious ; the 
 tubercles continue to enlarge^ till the vefTels are 
 partially diftended to their utmoft extent, when in- 
 flammation takes place, and maturation follows. 
 This ftage completed, the tumours rupture ; fome 
 probably heal by the efforts of nature, and others 
 become corroding ulcers^ laying the foundation of 
 inevitable danger, and diftant death. To a pene- 
 trative eye, and diftinguifliing hand, the predomi- 
 nant fymptoms will be immediately found to exceed 
 the traits and appearances of a common cold: the 
 unequal and difficult refpiration ; the kind of half- 
 fupprefled, fore, hollow cough, (denoting an inter- 
 nal fenfation of pain,) terminating in a fort of re- 
 ficrned moan; a conftant defire to mafticate hay, 
 without any feeming enjoyment of it; a general 
 heavy dulnefs, the palpable effetl of confcious de- 
 cay or debility; and a frequent looking to and after 
 the perfon accuftomed to fuperintend him, exciting 
 reafon to believe he may expe8: or hope for relief 
 from the very hand from whence it has been ufual 
 to derive fupport. 
 
 When brought into motion, the flanks heave, 
 and the cough comes on in proportion to the in- 
 creafe of aBion and circulation: the pain thus pro- 
 duced foon excites profufe perfpiration : by the 
 efforts of fnorting, fneezing, and blowing, to re- 
 lieve himfelf from the load under which he labours, 
 
 the 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. l6l . 
 
 the difcharge from the noflrils is increafcd, and 
 gets deeper in colour, according to the duration 
 and inveteracy of difeafe. Different fuhjecls are 
 very diiferently affefted by the gradations of this 
 diforder, (to which but a faint expeQation of relief 
 can be at all formed;) as one horfe will continue to 
 appear conftantly declining, and to wafte away per- 
 ceptibly, every fymptom becoming more predomi- 
 nant and diftreffing, till the fcene is finally clofed; 
 while another fliall alter but very little in flefh, 
 coat, or external appearance, till within a few days 
 o[ his falling dead in his ftall, 
 
 CONVULSIONS— are a fpafmodic afFedion of 
 the mufcular parts of the body, occafioned by ex- 
 treme pain afting upon the irritability of the ner- 
 vous fyftem; and generally proceed from cholic, 
 inflammation of the kidnies, flrangury, worms 
 preying upon the internal coat of the ftomach, a 
 fullnefs of the veffels, and too great a flux of blood 
 to the brain i as well as a variety of caufes, many 
 of which are, perhaps, very far beyond the utmofl 
 extent of human invefligation. • Whenever they 
 come on, the fcene becomes truly diftrefTing; they 
 may be confidered almofl invariably certain indica- 
 tions of approaching diiTolution, inftances being 
 exceedingly rare of a horfe's recovery. 
 
 COMPRESSION — is a term meant to convey 
 
 'the idea of an injury fuftained in the foot of a 
 
 Vol. L M horfe 
 
l52 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 horfe from a contraclion of the hoof, more particu- 
 larly at the heel, by indifcreet management in the 
 mode of pioeing : firft, in forming the fhoes too 
 narrow, and giving them an improper internal 
 curve at each heel; the injudicioufly cutting away 
 the bars of the foot, (formed by nature for its pro- 
 per expanfion;) the rafping away each fide of the 
 heel, to make the foot Jit thejlioe^ already put on 
 too fmall; all which is ftill more aggravated, by 
 the equally infernal and equally invincible practice 
 o{ fitting the flioe red-hot to the foot, in oppofition 
 to every argument and entreaty, thereby drying up 
 and confuming the natural moiflure of the internal 
 or flefhy fole, at the moment of cauterizing and 
 contra6ling the furface. 
 
 A hoof in the (late defcribed, holds forth, in its 
 appearance, ample proof of cor)ipreJfion upon the 
 parts conflituting the internal ftru6lure of the foot; 
 the membranous mafs, the nut and coffin-bone^ 
 thus prefled upon by the furrounding ftriclure, oc- 
 cafions a torpidity, and confequent defe8: in aftion, 
 by no means diffimilar to the hobbling gait of an in* 
 fant in pain from the tightnefs and rigidity of new 
 leather flioes. Horles whofe feet are thus deftruc- 
 tively reduced, are generally thofe to whom neither 
 MASTER or MAN cver condefcends to look: if pro- 
 per injunQions were laid upon the flioeing fmith, 
 at each tim.e of performing the operation, fuch a 
 fcene of devaftation could never eiifue. When 
 
 3 ^^^ 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY 
 
 16*3 
 
 the feet, by fuch mirmanagement, have got into this 
 ftate, every poflible application fhould be made to 
 promote growth and' expanfion. If the horfe ftands 
 conftantly in the ftable, frefh flopping of moift cow- 
 dung every night, with a plentiful impregnation of 
 fpemacaeti oil, all round the hoof, every night and 
 morning, are the moft expeditious remedies for 
 the defeft; but if it can be adopted with conveni- 
 ence, turning out tw^o or three months upon a moift 
 marfhy piece of land will prove fuperior to every 
 other confideration. 
 
 COOLERS — are fuch medicines as, by their 
 attenuating property, tend to divefl the blood of its- 
 vifcidity, and to counteraft threatened inflammation. 
 They are always ufeful in plethoric appearances: 
 when a horfe is evidently overloaded, and above 
 himfelf in fiefii, when the legs are full, round, and 
 all the vefiels are palpably diftended, cooling 
 medicines, and gentle exercife, are the direQ m.eans 
 of obtaining relief. Bleeding fhould take the lead, 
 followed by a courfe of diuretics, mild or Jtrong^ 
 according to the fize and ftrengih of the fubjeft. 
 Nitre, incorporated with half its weight of gum 
 Arabic in powder, and diilolved in the water, is 
 an excellent article of this defcription. 
 
 CORNS, — as they are called, would be much 
 more properly denominated bruifes^ and are of in- 
 finite trouble to thofe who implicitly fubmit to the 
 -' M 2 Quixotic 
 
154 SPORTING DICTlONAR^f. 
 
 Quixotic fchemes and manual dexterity of the 
 smith; who, with a. fecundum artem expedition, 
 inftantly renders the remedy worfe than the difeafe, . 
 As his principal province is the art of cuttings 
 he has no fooner the drawing-knife in his hand, 
 than he is at " the bottom :" his great object is the 
 deftruBion of parts ; and he piques himfelf upon 
 doing more mifchief in two minutes, than Nature 
 can reftore in three months. Impreffed with no 
 idea but inftrumental extirpation, he proceeds to 
 excavate the fole of the foot, till, having reached 
 the membrane, a protrufion enfues, and leaves him 
 a happy opening for the bar-flioe, hot-ftopping, a 
 daily dreffing, and the collateral confiderationg 
 which conftitute difum total by no means neceffary. 
 
 Corns moftly originate in the flioe having fwerv- 
 ed a little from its proper feat upon the wall or 
 cruft of the hoof, and becoming, as it were, in- 
 dented upon the outer fole, occafions a hruife^ ap- 
 pearing to have ramifications of extravafated fluid 
 in very fine and oblique direBions: the fhoe being 
 permitted to prefs upon this part, (become irritable 
 by the injury it has fuftainedy) produces pain and 
 impediment to aftion. Upon the difcovery that 
 fuch has taken place, the remedy is as fimple as the 
 caufe by which it was occafioned. The flioe being 
 carefully removed, take from the furface of what 
 is mijcalled a corn, juft enough to leave the part 
 free from preiTure by the flioe; moiflen once exter- 
 nally 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. l65 
 
 nally with a few drops of oil of vitriol, or fimple 
 aqua fortis; and the operative fmith, farrier, or 
 veterinary furgeon, will not find a plea for the de- 
 vaftation he is generally fo ready to promote. 
 
 CORDIALS, — medically confidered, are the 
 very reverfe, in their property, of what has been 
 faid under the fubjeft of " coolers :" they are warm 
 aromatic articles, which flimulate to aftion the in- 
 ternal coat of the ftomach, enliven the circulation, 
 invigorate the frame, expel wind, ftrengthen the 
 digeftive powers; and are, perhaps, without excep- 
 tion, the heft and moft ufeful difcovery yet made 
 for the prevention and cure of colds in horfes, as 
 well as of fome other diforders arifing from an im- 
 poverifhed ftate of the blood. Horfes fubje6l to 
 inceffant fatigue in all weathers, particularly in the 
 wet and dirty months of winter, fhould never be 
 without the occafional interpofition of a warm malt 
 maih, or a cordial ball, after long journies or 
 fevere chafes, whenever circum fiances may render 
 either or both neceflTary; the firft being given at 
 night, the latter in the morning. After a previous 
 bleeding, thefe means may be confidered infallible 
 in a cold and cough, and never known to fail, if 
 properly perfevered in and attended to. The cor- 
 dial balls are alfo exceedingly ufeful, where a horfe 
 is off his appetite, either from being overworked, 
 or from the very common and very injudicious 
 cuflom with weak fervants, or penurious mailers, 
 
 M 3 of 
 
l66 SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 of adminiftering large quantities of nitre, (as a 
 cheap and efficacious medicine,) till the blood is at- 
 tennuated and impoveriflied below the ftandard of 
 health, the folids reduced to a ftate of flaccidity, 
 the flomach naufeated, and the digeflive powers 
 proportionally impaired. 
 
 CORIANDER, — the name of a horse who 
 acquired much celebrity by his performances upon 
 the TURF for fix years in fucceffion. He was bred 
 by Mr Dawson, and was got by PotSoo's out of 
 Lavender, who w'as got by Herod; her dam by 
 Snap, out of Szveet Williaras dam by Cade. He 
 was foaled in 1786. In 1789, when three years 
 old, he beat Jericho, from the ditch-in, for 200 
 guineas, and Sir W. Aston's Marcia, Wo year 
 old courfe, 100 guineas. Firft fpring meeting, 1790, 
 he beat Buzzard, feven ftone each, 100 guineas. 
 Second fpring meeting he beat him again for the 
 fame fum. He beat Egbert and Ifabcl, a fweep- 
 ftakes of 100 guineas each; and Shovel, Glaucus, 
 Alexander, and Sir Thomas, a fweepftakes of 50 
 guineas each; Baronet, Nimble, Egbert, and Sir 
 Pepper, paying forfeit. He walked over for the 
 King's hundred at Ipfwich; and beat Lord Bar- 
 rymore's Pellegrine the two middle miles of the 
 Beacon for 200 guineas. 
 
 In 1791 he won a fubfcription purfe, beating 
 Spear ^ IJabcl^ Riiffian, Black Deuce, and Moufe. 
 
 He 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 16/ 
 
 He alfo won the plate at Swaffham, beating Ifahel 
 and the Sijler to Imperator ; and the next day won 
 the other plate, beating ClayhalL At Newmarket, 
 in OBober, he beat Highlander^ Serpent^ Halkin^ 
 and Efperjykes ; after which, from the ditch-in, 
 he beat Ejcape^ Skylark^ and Pipator. 
 
 When rifing fix years old, he received forfeit 
 from Sir C. Turner's Weathercock^ and won the 
 King's plate at Guildford, beating Enchanter and 
 Braggadocio ; alfo the King's plate at Nottingham, 
 beating Young Cicero, 
 
 In 1793 he won the aged plate at Newmarket, 
 beating Dragon^ Halhert^ and Halkin. He won 
 the King's plate alfo, beating the Duke of Bed- 
 ford's Skyfcraper. Second fpring meeting, he 
 won the Jocky Club plate, beating Skyfcraper^ 
 Bujiler^ Cardock^ zuid Pip at or ; and on the fame day 
 won the weight for the aged plate, beating Huhy^ 
 Volante, and Eager. In the fame meeting he beat 
 Buzzard the Beacon Courfe for 200 guineas. 
 
 In 1794, v/hen aged, he won the whip and 
 200 guineas, beating Creeper^ ten ftone each, over 
 the Beacon. He won 50I. at Chelmsford, beat- 
 ing Sweeper^ and Portland; likewife 50I. at 
 Northampton, beating Triumvirate^ and a fon of 
 Faggergill. At Newmarket, in Oftober, he vvcn 
 the aged plate, beating Quetlavaca, Excijernan^ and 
 
 M 4 Halkin; 
 
l5S SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 Halkin; and in the fame week he beat Lord Egre- 
 mont's Gohanna (giving him 241b.) and Lord 
 Strathmore's Hermes, In the fecond Otlober 
 meeting, being the lall time of his running, he 
 won a fubfcription purfe, (paying 50 guineas en- 
 trance,) beating Lord Grosvenor's Excifeman^ 
 and Lord Sackville's Silver, This extraordi- 
 nary horfe was one of the very few who flood fo 
 many years training, and fo much fevere running, 
 without an accident. He covered afterwards in 
 the north, at feven guineas, and has produced 
 fome good runners. 
 
 CORNER TEETH— are the four teeth at the 
 extremities of each row in both the upper and the 
 lower jaw, htuate between the middle teeth and the 
 tufhes: the corner teeth in the lower jaw, are thofe 
 which the horfe fheds when four years old off, and 
 rihng five : thefe not fpontaneoufly exfoliating in 
 time to accommodate the pecuniary propenfity of 
 the dealer^ he poffeffes the means and the practice of 
 felling a Jour year old colt for a five year old 
 horfe ; and this is fo conftant, that there is with that 
 clafs nothing diJJioneJl confidered in the cuftom. 
 
 CORONET — is the part furrounding the foot 
 of the horfe jufl above the junction of hair and 
 hoof: the bone from which the name is derived, 
 bears great aflfinity in form to a ducal coronet, and 
 is fituate between the lower part of the fetlock- 
 bone 
 
 1 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. IGQ 
 
 bone and the coffin, into which it is inferted, joint- 
 ly fupported by the nut-bone behind. Ligamen- 
 tary twifts, or diftortions, fuftained at the fuperior 
 jun8ion of the coronary bone, frequently occahon 
 a prominence upon the coronet^ which becoming 
 firft callous, and then ofhfied, is termed a ring. 
 
 BONE. 
 
 COVEY OF Partridges — confifts of the cock, 
 hen, and their produce of that year before they are 
 broken, and fo continue to be termed till killed 
 down too thin to bear the appellation: they are then 
 diftinguifhed by the fmall numbers they are found 
 in; as, a leafh, (three;) two brace, (four;) &:c. 
 
 COURSE OF Medicine, — fo called wdiere 
 the cafe is chronic, requiring a rectification in the 
 animal oeconomy, or an alteration in the property 
 of the blood. Chronic cafes are diforders of fome 
 continuance, (producing fymptoms of difquietude 
 more than of danger,) and are thus called to diftin- 
 guifli them from thofe which, proceeding rapidly, 
 terminate fooner, and with more alarm. Cholic, 
 strangury, fever, (Src. in horfes, are acute dif- 
 eafes: on the contrary, greafe^ furfeit^ and fome 
 others, may with propriety be termed chronic, 
 and can only be completely eradicated by fuch 
 courfe of medicine as fball be confidered applicable 
 to the ftate of the frame, and the origin of the dif- 
 eafe, 
 
 COURSING 
 
170 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 COURSING — is a fpecies of fpon Lbat a cele- 
 brated writer has traced to great antiquity ; " it 
 having been treated on by Arrian, who flourifned 
 A. D. 150." The fame author, the Rev. Mr. 
 Daniel, in his elegant and truly entertaining publi- 
 cation upon " Rural Sports^'' fays, 
 
 " In our country, during the reign of King 
 John, greyhounds were frequently received by him 
 as payment in lieu of money, for the renewal of 
 grants^ fi.nes^ and forfeitures^ belonging to the 
 Crown. The following extracts prove this Monarch 
 to have been exceedingly partial to this kind of 
 dogs. A fine paid A. D. 1203, mentions five hun- 
 dred marks, ten horfes, and ten leafhes of grey- 
 hounds. Another, in 1210, one fwift running 
 horfe, and fix greyhounds.'' 
 
 '^ In the days of Elizabeth, when (lie was not 
 difpofed herfelf to hunt, flie was fo ftationed as to 
 fee the courfing of deer with greyhounds. At 
 Cowdrey, in Suffex, the feat of Lord Montecute, 
 (now Lady Montague's,) A. D. 1591, one day 
 after dinner, the Queen faw from a turret " fixteen 
 bucks, all having fair law, pulled down with grey- 
 hounds in a lawn before the houfe." 
 
 Courfing was formerlv extended to the deer, the 
 rox, and the hare; and much ceremony was ob- 
 ferved in park and paddock courfing with the foriner^ 
 
 even 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. '171 
 
 even in the Royal prefence. It is, however, now 
 principally confined to the hare, (except in the 
 feafon ^ov fawn killing;) is not only univerfal in 
 mod counties, but particularly patronized and pro- 
 moted in others. Clubs are compofed of the mod 
 opulent and refpeftable members for the enjoyment 
 of the fport, who have moflly two (fome three) 
 meetings in each feafon; the firft eftablifhed and 
 principal of which is the " SwafFham Courfing So- 
 ciety," inftituted in Norfolk by the late Earl of 
 Orford in the year 1776, which is fupported with 
 true perfonal fpirit and fporting energy ; the Brad- 
 \vell and Tillingham meetings, in EfTex; the Flixton 
 Wolds, in Yorkfnire; and the Afhdown Park meet- 
 ing, at Lambourn, in Berkfhire. 
 
 K The meetings at S waff ham are held on the fe- 
 cond Monday in November, and the firft Monday 
 in February, unlefs prevented by fro ft or fnow, in 
 which cafe they are then held the firft open Monday 
 in or after November, and the firft open Monday 
 in February; and not later. The Aflidown Park 
 meeting to be held at the Red Lion at Lambourn, 
 annually, the fecond Monday in November. 
 
 The LAWS of COURSING were arranged in the 
 reign of Queen Elizabeth by the Duke of Nor- 
 folk, and were fandioned by the acquiefcence of 
 the nobility, gentry, and fporting world, who then 
 followed the diverfion; and have fi nee been con- 
 
 fidered 
 
172 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 fidered the fixed criterion for the decifion of all 
 bets, by which they are regulated and determined 
 to the prefent day. The perfon appointed to let 
 loofe the greyhounds, was to receive into his flips 
 (or thongs) thofe matched to run againft each other 
 fo foon as he came into the field; and then to follow 
 next the hare-finder, or him ^vho was to ftart the 
 hare, until he came to the form; and no horfe or 
 foot men were to go before, or on either fide, but 
 direQly behind, for the fpace of about forty yards. 
 
 Rules. — A hare never to be courfed by more 
 than A BRACE o^ greyhounds. 
 
 The hare-finder to give the hare three /oAo'5/ 
 before he put her from herjorm; to give notice to 
 the dogs, that they may attend iojlarting. 
 
 The hare to have twelve [core yards law before 
 the dogs were loofed, unlefs the fmall diftance from 
 cover would not admit it without danger of imme- 
 diately lofing her. 
 
 The dog who gave the firfl turn^ if there was 
 neither cote^ Jlip^ nor wrench^ during the courfe, 
 
 WON. 
 
 A cote is when a greyhound goes endways by his 
 fellow, and gives the hare a turn, 
 
 A cote 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 173 
 
 A cote ferves for two turns, and two trippings or 
 jerkins for a cote: if the hare did not turn quite 
 about, file only xurenched^ and two wrenches (land 
 for a turn. 
 
 If there were no cotes given between a brace of 
 greyhounds, but that one of them ferved the other 
 at titrning, then he that gave the hare mojl turns, 
 won; and if one gave as many turns as the other, 
 then he that bore the hare, won. 
 
 If one dog gave the Jirjl turn, and the other bore 
 the hare, he that bore the hare, v/on. 
 
 A go-hy, or bearing the hare, was equivalent to 
 
 two turns. 
 
 If neither dog turned the hare, he that led lall to 
 the covert, won. 
 
 If one dog turned the hare, ferved himfelf, and 
 turned her again, it was as much as a cote; for a 
 cote was efteemcd two turns. 
 
 If all the courfe was equal, the dog that bore the 
 hare, won; if the hare was not borne, the courfe 
 was adjudged dead. 
 
 If a dog fell in a courfe, and yet performed his 
 part, he might challenge the advantage of a turn 
 more than he gave. 
 
 If 
 
174" SFORTL^JCr DICTIONARY. 
 
 If a dog turned the hare, ferved hlmfelf, and 
 gave divers cotes, and yet in the end flood dill in 
 the field, the other dog, if he ran home to the cover^ 
 although he gave no turn, was adjudged the winner. 
 
 If by accident a dog was rode over in his courfe, 
 the courfe was void; and he that did the mifchief 
 was to make reparation for the damage. 
 
 If a dog gave the firfl and lad turn^ and there 
 was no other advantage between them, he that gave 
 the odd turn, won. 
 
 He that came in firfl at the death, took up the 
 hare, faved her from being torn, cherifned the dogs, 
 and cleanfed their mouths from the fleak, was ad- 
 judged to have the hare for his trouble. 
 
 Thofe who were appointed judges of the courfe, 
 were to give their decifion before they departed 
 from the field. 
 
 Exclufive of the county clubs and local focieties 
 eflablifhed for the annual enjoyment of the diver- 
 fion upon a larger fcale, coursing has its devotees, 
 who are as energetic in its defence, as its mofl en- 
 raptured advocate can pofTibly be, for what he calls 
 the inexpreilible pleafures of the chafe : taken, how- 
 ever, in a more extenfive point of view, it is held 
 in nearly aa equal ellimation with anglings when 
 
 •put 
 
t 
 
 SPORTING DICTIONARY, 175 
 
 put in competition with the more attraBing fports 
 of the field; and feemsrauch better calculated for the 
 amufement of a cynical folitary difciplinarian, than 
 a mind open to all the more noble and exhilarating 
 fen rations of the chase. 
 
 COSTIVENESS— will be found fatisfaQorily 
 explained under the head Constipation; to pre- 
 vent which, regular exercife, great friftion, flank 
 rubbing, and frequent changes of food, will greatly 
 contribute. 
 
 CRACKS — in the heels of horfes, during the 
 winter feafon, are found only in ftables where the 
 mailer feldom or ever condefcends to appear. 
 Thefe trifles are too frequently attributed to a de- 
 fe6l in the conftitution of the horfe^ when, w^ith more 
 propriety, they might be fixed upon a zoant of con- 
 Jlituiional pun8:uality in the groom, Horfes left 
 with wet legs and heels after chafe or journey, par- 
 ticularly in fharp eafterly winds, or in froft and 
 fnow, conflitute the evil to a certainty. So fevere 
 a rigidity is occafioned in the texture of the integu- 
 ment, that it becomes partially ruptured, (or bro- 
 ken in various places,) upon being brought into 
 atlion the following day; this, with the irritation 
 and friction occafioned by the fharp particles of 
 gravel and extraneous matter in the dirty roads, 
 foon produce enlarged lacerations of the moft pain- 
 ful defcription. The prudent part of the world 
 
 will 
 
17^ SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 will always confider, as well in this, as in every 
 other cafe, thai prevention is better than cure: fer- 
 vants fhoiild be allowed in the ftables, linen cloths 
 for rubbers to the heels, that they may never be left 
 in the leaft wet, particularly in the winter feafon, 
 when once getting tender^ the ftubbed ends of the 
 new and (tiff ftraw frequently occafion or increafe 
 fuch lacerations. 
 
 CRAMP — is a moll extraordinary fpafmodic 
 mufcular contraction of fome particular limb, 
 where the ftiffnefs and rigidity of the part exceeds 
 belief. To thofe who have never been accuftomed 
 to fuch cafes, they are ferious and alarming; for the 
 ftrength of two men is inadequate to the tafl^ of 
 rendering the affefted limb pliable and aQive. The 
 caufe is fometimes not to be afcertained ; but it has 
 frequently arifen from a horfe, in a high ftate of 
 perfpiration, having been placed in a current of 
 cold air^ or a damp ftable, and in a few minutes 
 found not able to move. Standing ftill two or 
 three days in fuccefTion without exercife, after long 
 and conftant travelling, is likewife known to pro- 
 duce it. But whatever caufe it may have origina- 
 ted in, the dire8: road to relief is ftill the fame. 
 Inftantaneous bleeding, hot fomentation with a 
 decoQion of aromatic herbs, immediately followed 
 up by ilrong friftion with an old ftable horfe-brufti, 
 and this by an embrocation of camphorated fpirits, 
 half a pint, incorporated with one ounce of oil of 
 
 origanumj 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 177 
 
 origanum, and a part of it patiently rubbed in upon 
 the particular part afFecled, never fails to relieve in 
 a Jhort time. Should it, however, not take effe6l 
 fo foon as expefted, difTolve a cordial-ball in a 
 pint of gruel, to which add an ounce of liquid 
 laudanum^ and let either or all the operations be 
 repeated in a few hours, fliould the cafe (or a re- 
 lapfe) require it. 
 
 CREST-FALLEN.— A horfe is faid to be 
 creft-fallen, when the part running from the wi- 
 thers to the ears, and upon which the mane grows, 
 is impoverifhed, and wafted, from the natural pro- 
 minence of its beautiful curve, to a ftate of reverfe 
 hollownefs or indentation. This is generally ac- 
 companied by a total emaciation, brought on by 
 very had Jup port ^ or negled under different degrees 
 of difeafe. The firmnefs and correfponding curve 
 of the creft is almoft invariably a tolerable criterion 
 of the health and condition of the horfe; and a ju- 
 dicious infpeftor feldom omits this part of the ex- 
 amination. If the flefli upon the creft \^ firm^ 
 Jolid^ and not flabbily foft, or fluftuating, it is a 
 good fign of conftitutional ftrength; but a horfe 
 having a low, bare, indented creft, will always 
 have a poor, weak, and impoyeriftied appearance, 
 doing his owner no credit. This defect, however, 
 proceeds more from penurious keep, and temporary 
 ftarvation, than any caufe or defect in Nature, and 
 Vol. L N may 
 
}78 STORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 may always be expeditioiifly remedied by liberal 
 fupport, and nutritious invigoration. 
 
 CRIB-BITING— is a habit acquired by Tome 
 horfes, of inceffantly biting the manger, and gulp- 
 ing the wind; which appears, from obfervation, to 
 be more prejudicial to charafler, than to bodily 
 exertion. It is faid, " young horfes are moft fub- 
 je6i: to it; and that it is often occafioned by unea- 
 finefs in breeding of teeth, and from being ill fed 
 when they are hungry. The bad confequences are 
 wearing away their teeth, fpilling their corn, and 
 fucking the air in fuch quantities, as will often give 
 them the cholic or gripes." 
 
 It is certain a crib-biter never appears high in 
 fle(h, or fo full in condition as horfes that are not 
 fo; and fo prejudicial is it confidered by many, 
 that they will not admit a horfe to be perJcBly found 
 if fold with this infirmity. Opinions vary upon 
 the difference it makes refpe61ing the labor and fa- 
 tigue a horfe of this defcription can undergo; fomc 
 afferting that " the defeBi keeps him weak^ languid^ 
 and unable to endure much w^ork:" while others 
 as ftrenuoufly infill upon its being in no way 
 whatever prejudicial. 
 
 *' Who shall decide when doctors disagree ?"• 
 
 CROPPING— is the operation of taking ofF 
 the ears, which was till very lately performed with 
 
 a knife 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 179 
 
 a knife and wooden mould, rendering it both tedious 
 and painful: it is, however, now very much im- 
 proved by the invention of an inftrument admirably 
 adapted to the purpofe, by which the feparation 
 of theear isalmoft inflantancous. It is only adopted 
 where horfes are lop-eared^ and bear the appearance 
 of mules about the head. As the operation is at 
 beft but a cruel mutilation, every humane and 
 tender mind will think it '' more honored in the 
 breach than the obfervance." 
 
 CROWN-SCAB — is a partial appearance about 
 the coronet of a horfe, varying in different fub- 
 jefts, according to the ftate of the objeB; difeafed. 
 It partakes a little of the diforder called greafe^ to 
 whidh, if unattended to, it would foon degenerate; 
 being a fpecies of that defecl, but in an inferior 
 degree. In fome it appears as a fcurfy eruption, 
 raifing the hair, and turning it different ways, from 
 whence foon oozes a kind of oily ichor, foetid in 
 fmell, and greafy in appearance : in others, the 
 difcharge is thinner^ and more watery .^ according 
 to the greater or lefs degree of morbidity in the 
 frame, or acrimony in the blood. It has been a 
 praftice with the old fchool to counteracl its effefts 
 by vitriolic lotions, flight ftyptics, and ftrong re- 
 pellents: fcientific difquifition will not, however, 
 juftify fuch treatment, but recommend daily molli- 
 fication with warm oatm.eal gruel and a foftfponge; 
 when which is wiped gently dry with a foft linen 
 N 2 cloth, 
 
3 80 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 cloth, it may be very mildly impregnated with 
 camphorated fpermacaeti ointment, and the cure 
 ailiiled by mercurial phyfic, diuretic ballsj or a 
 courfe of antimonial alterative powders. 
 
 CUB. — A young fox is fo called during the 
 jirjl year. 
 
 CURB — is a callous enlargement, approaching 
 ofTification, and is fituate at the lower junction 
 of the bones, at the hind part of the hock, origi- 
 nally attended with (lifFnefs, andlaftly with lamenefs 
 and pain. Curbs are evidently produced by kicks,, 
 blows^ fudden turns or twijls^ riding too hard (or 
 drawing too much weight) up hill : they fliould be 
 attended to on their firft appearance, when they 
 foon fubmit to the ufual modes adopted for extir- 
 pation. Mild bliftering frequently fucceeds, par- 
 ticularly where the operation is twice performed ; 
 but when the cafe is of long (landing, a few flight 
 feather flrokes w'ith the firing-iron may be necefla- 
 ry to confirm the cure. 
 
 CURB.-— The chain is fo called, which is the 
 part of the bridle-bit fixed to one cheek, and paf- 
 fing under the lower-jaw (and above the beard or 
 chin) to the other. By the rein being fixed to 
 rings or loops, at the low^er extremity of the bit, 
 this chain, called curb, conftitutes a fulcrum; and 
 the harder fuch rein is pulled, the harder will be 
 
 the 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 181 
 
 ihc preffure df the curb upon the under jaw, and 
 of courfc the greater power given to the rider. 
 The curb confilLs merely of a neat wrought chain, 
 fmall rings and links, by which it is fixed to the 
 cheek-eyes of the bit, and eafil)' taken ofT and on 
 for the purpofe of cleaning. 
 
 CURRY-COMB,— a well known ftable utenfil, in 
 conftant ufe for the cleaning of horfes. They are 
 much more applicable to pojl and draft horfes, than 
 to horfes of fuperiordefcription, thefinenefsof "svhofe 
 coats, and the tendernefs of whofe fi;ins, occafion 
 much uneafinefs to them during the prickly perfc- 
 cution^ and to whom good, fweet, clean flraw-bands 
 are greatly preferable; it being matter of fair doubt, 
 whether more horfes are not lamed in the liable 
 under the dancing ceremony of the curry-comb, 
 than by accidents upon the road, or ftrong exertions 
 in the field. ^ 
 
 CRUPPER, — a leathern convenience, or long 
 ftrap, annexed to the hinder part of the faddle, 
 having at the other extremity a loop to pafs under 
 the tail; by which the faddle is prevented from get- 
 ting forward, and bringing the rider upon the neck 
 of the horfe. Such aid is by no means required 
 with horfes well made, and uniformly proportioned : 
 they are rarely brought into ufe, but where a horfe 
 is lower before than behind; and are in fo much 
 difrepute with amateurs and connoilTeurs, that a 
 
 N 3 real 
 
182 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 real fportfman would fooner part from his horfe 
 than to he feen ride with a crupper, 
 
 GUTTING. — Explained under Castration. 
 
 CUTTING in Action, — in the manege called 
 interfering,^ is lacerating the round infideprojefting 
 part of the fetlock-joint, with the edge of the flioe, 
 upon the foot of the oppofite leg. This arifes 
 much more frequently from the indifference or 
 neglect in the owner, than from any imperfe6tion 
 or defeat of the horfe : more horfes cut from be- 
 ing broke and put into work too young, rode too 
 long journies in a day, or over-worked when weary, 
 than from any caufe whatever. Some horfes, it is 
 true, cut from their formation, particularly thofe 
 narrow in the cheft. Carriage horfes, too, very 
 frequently cut behind; but thismuft in a great mea- 
 fure be occafioned by the projecting parts and ca- 
 vities in the pavement, for all which the fureft 
 footed horfe exifting cannot be prepared. 
 
 DACE, 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 283 
 
 D. 
 
 DACE, — a fmall fifli, common in moil; ri\eis* 
 where it is feen fwimming near the fiirface, moflly 
 in fliallows, and near bridges, held in no eltima- 
 tion but with th.e common people. 
 
 DAISY-CUTTER,— a fporting term for horfes 
 that go fo near the ground, they frequently touch 
 it with the tip of one toe or the other, and are 
 conftantly in danger of falling, A horfe with 
 hroken knees may be confidered of this defcription. 
 
 DAPPLE. — Horfes are fo called who have par- 
 tial variegated hues in the coat of different fizes, 
 conftituting fmall circles, both lighter and darker 
 than the general colour of the horfe. Such are 
 faid to be dappled; hence we have dapple baysg 
 dapple greys, and fometimes dapple blacks, 
 
 DEALERS.— See Horse Dealers. 
 
 DECOCTION. — A deco6lion for the^purpofe 
 of fomenting fwellings, tumours, or enlargements, 
 (either as an emollient or difcutient,) is made by 
 boiling a double handful of Roman w^ormwood, 
 camomile flowers, bay leaves, and elder flowers, 
 in two gallons of water, for a quarter of an hour, 
 
 N 4 and 
 
184 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 and applying it to the part with fponge or flannel 
 as hot as it can be ufed without injury to the hair. 
 This will be found more fully explained under the 
 proper head. Fomentation. 
 
 DECOY,— a canal, river, pond, or fheet 
 of water, appropriated to the profitable pur- 
 pofe of taking wild ducks and teal: it is a bufinefs - 
 peculiar to thofe only who profefs it, and con- 
 duced upon a principle of the ftridell ftillnefs 
 and regularity. The perfon having the management 
 of a decoy, mufl pofTefs taciturnity and patience 
 in a very great degree, both being brought into 
 conftant pra6lice; without which, fuccefs can nei- 
 ther be expefted or deferved. The fowl are brought 
 within the tunnel of the net by Jlratagem^ where, 
 at a critical moment, they are enclofed and taken. 
 All this, however, depends upon the induftry, fa- 
 gacity, deception, and exertion, of the decoy- 
 duck, by whofe wiles and allurements the whole 
 flight are brought within the fpace allotted to their 
 deftrutlion. The decoy-ducks are trained to their 
 bufinefs almoft from the fhel], and amply demon- 
 Urate what ferVices may be obtained, what fidelity 
 infured, or what attachment excited, by the exer- 
 tion of tendernefs and humanity, even to the more 
 inferior parts of the creation. 
 
 It, however, often happens, that the wild fowl 
 are in fuch a ftate of (leepinefs and dozing, that they 
 
 will 
 
SPORTING DICTION ARV. 185 
 
 will not follow the decoy-ducks. Ufe is then gene- 
 rally made of a dog trained to the bufincrs, wIk) 
 paffing backwards and forwards between the reed 
 fcreens, attrads the eye of the wild fowl, who not 
 choofing to be interrupted, advance towards the 
 finall and contemptible animal, that they may drive 
 him away. The dog all the time, by the direction 
 of the DECOY-MAN, plays among the fcreens of 
 reeds, nearer and nearer to the purfe-net; till at 
 laft the decoy-man appears behind the fcreen, and 
 the wild-fowl not daring to pafs by him in return^ 
 nor being able to efcape upwards on account of the 
 net-covering, rufh on into Vao: purfe-net. 
 
 ■The general feafon for catching fowl in decoys 
 js from the latter end of Odober till February: the 
 taking of them earlier is prohibited by an afcl loth 
 of George II. which forbids it from }une ift to Oc- 
 tober ift under the penalty of five fliiliings for 
 pack bird deftroyed within that fpace. An aftion 
 will lie againft the difturber of a decoy, hy firing a 
 gun, or any other a8; of wilful injury to the owner. 
 
 Decoys cannot be formed, nor need they be at- 
 tempted, but wdiere nature has been a little diffufe 
 in her favors for the formation : marfhv low lands^ 
 plenty of w^ater, and fequeftered fituations, are 
 indifpenfably neceffary to a fuccefsRd embarkation. 
 They are to be found in different parts of the king- 
 dom, but more plentiful in the northern and eaflern 
 counties than in any other. Effex, Cambridgefliire, 
 
 Lincolnfliire, 
 
185 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 Lincolnfhirc, and fome part of Warwickfliire, arc 
 remarkable for many of confiderable extent, and 
 from the principal of which the markets of the 
 Metropolis are fo plentifully and fo reafonably fup- 
 plied. 
 
 DEER, — a word indifcriminately ufed, implies 
 (in its moft extenfive fenfe) the animals inhabiting 
 parks and forefts, whofe flefh is equally denomi- 
 nated VENISON, though very different in fize, fla- 
 vour, and eftimation. Deer are of two kinds; 
 the one principally bred and preferved for the chafe, 
 the other for the table, A perfecl defcription of 
 the firfl will be found under the proper heads of 
 Red Deer, Stag, and Hind; of the latter, under 
 Fallow Deer. Buck, and Doe. 
 
 DEER-STEALERS— are thofe noaurnal deC. 
 peradoes who. fetting at defiance all laws, all pof- 
 feffion of property, and the protectors of it, dif- 
 guife themfelves, and, under cover of the night, 
 attack, feize, kill, and carry away, from the beft. 
 fenced parks, bucks or does, (according to the fea- 
 fon,} w'ith the greatefl impunity. Their main- 
 fpring of a8:ion is a dog of the cur kind, called 
 " a coney-cut lurcher:" this is a breed peculiar to 
 itfelf, and thofe who ufe it; being a light fort of 
 brindled wiry-haired mongrel, with a natural ftump 
 tail, having the appearance of a bajlard greyhound. 
 They are exceedingly fleet and lafling, run miite^ 
 
 (by 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 187 
 
 (by either nofe or fight ;) and are fo well trained 
 for the purpofe to which they are folely appropria- 
 ted, that they are equally expert in picking up a 
 HARE, or pulling down a. buck. After having exe- 
 cuted their office, though in the darkeil night, they 
 will foon recover their mafter by fcent^ and lead 
 him to the game fo pulled down, which is repeated 
 till a fafficiency is obtained for that journey ; thebu- 
 finefs having beei) fo fyftematically conduced, by 
 the various neighbouring emiffaries and affociates 
 concerned, that horfes and carts were employed, 
 and a re,^ular routine of robbery carried on, by 
 periodical and alternate depredations upon mofl of 
 the parks within j^/jV andjixty miles of the Metro- 
 polis. Many living in a line of refpeftability in 
 other refpe6ls, w^ere publicly known to be employed 
 in the nefarious praftice without fear of detection; 
 for no informer could come forward, without a very 
 great probability of deftru8:ion to his pkrson or 
 property^ from fome of the many confederates 
 concerned. 
 
 Thefe offences, fo long thought but little of, be- 
 came at length enormities of fuch magnitude, that the 
 Legiflature difcovered a neceffity for the introduc- 
 tion of new and more fevere pains and penalties. 
 A variety of ilatutes were ena6led in the reigns of 
 former fovereigns for the punifhment of fuch of- 
 fenders, which are now fully concentrated in the 
 A6ls of Parliament paffed in the prefent reign of 
 George III, By 
 
188 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 By tbcfe ftatutes. if any perfons (hall hunt, or 
 take in a fnare, kill or wound, any red or fallow deer, 
 in any foreft, chafe, Szc, whether inclofed or not, 
 or in any inclofed park, paddock, tSrc. or be aiding 
 in fuch offence; they floall forfeit twenty pounds for 
 the firft offence; and alfo thirty pounds for each 
 DEER wounded, killed, or taken. A game-keeper, 
 guilty of either, to forfeit double. For a fecond 
 offence, the offenders may be tranfported for feven 
 years. 
 
 Justices may grant warrants to fearch for heads, 
 fkins, Sec, of flolen deer, and for toils, fnares, 
 Sec, and perfons having fuch in their poffeffion, to 
 forfeit from ten to thirty pounds, at the difcretion 
 of the juftices. Perfons unlawfully fetting nets or 
 fnares, to forfeit, for the firft offence, from Jive to 
 ten pounds ; and for every other offence, from ten 
 to twenty pounds. Perfons pulling down pales or 
 fences of any foreft, chafe, park, paddock, w^ood, 
 Sec, fubjeQ to the penalties annexed to the firft of- 
 fence for killing deer. Dogs^ guns^ and engines^ 
 may be feized by the park-keepers; and perfons 
 re/ijling, fliall be tranfported for feven years. Pe- 
 nalties may be levied by dijlrefs ; in default of 
 which, offenders to be committed for twelve months, 
 
 -Perfons difguifed^ and in arms^ appearing in 
 
 any foreft, park, paddock. Sec, and killing red or 
 
 fallow deer, deemed felons without benefit of clergy. 
 
 Profecutions 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 189 
 
 Profecutions limited to twelve months from the 
 time of the offence committed. Deftroying gofs, 
 furze, and fern, in forefls and chafes, being the co- 
 vert for deer, is liable to a penalty from forty 
 fhillings to j^t;^ pounds; to be levied by diflrefs; 
 and if no diflrefs, the offender to be committed to 
 the county goal, for a time not greater than three 
 months, nor lefs than one. 
 
 DEFAULT; — a term in hunting, which cuftom 
 has reduced to an abbreviation, and is in general 
 called FAULT. The hounds, during a chafe of any 
 kind, when lofing the fcent, throwing up their nofes, 
 feeming at a lofs, and dafliing different ways, in 
 anxious and earneft hope of recovery, are then faid 
 to be at " a fault.'' This is the very moment when 
 the judgment of the huntfman is mofl required, and 
 the foonefl to be obferved. Different opinions have 
 been formed, and decifions made, refpe6ling the 
 proper mode of proceeding at fo critical a juncture, 
 whether to try forward^ or to t7j back : here a great 
 deaf depends upon the game you are hunting of 
 and the country you are hunting in^ which circum- 
 ftances at the time can only determine. However 
 Qpinions may vary upon fome particular points, 
 all feem to coincide upon others ; that the ground 
 fhould invariably be made goodi forward^ previous 
 to trying hack ; that a general filence fhould pre- 
 vail, and not an unneceffary afpiration be heard, 
 that can tend to attraB the- attention of a fingle 
 
 hound 
 
igO SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 hound from the earneil endeavours he is fo bufily 
 engaged in; by which means nineteen faults are hit 
 off out of twenty^ without greater delay, fufpenfe^ 
 or difappointment. 
 
 If HOUNDS, in purfuit of deer or fox, ihy-ow up 
 on a fallow or highway, they cannot be got forward 
 too foon ; certain it is they have neither of them 
 ftopt there : not fo with the hare, who is likely to 
 have thrown herfelf out by the Jlde of one^ or 
 fquatted in a land (or furrow) of the other. Faults 
 with the two former, are much more eafily and ex- 
 peditioufly hit off than with the latter, wdth whom 
 they are fometimes tedioufly inceifant, particular- 
 ly with a young or a hard-hunted hare: it fhould 
 therefore, be a fixed rule, never to abandon a faulty 
 if pofiible, without recovery; it being as likely, at 
 leait, to bring the loft hare to a vicw^ as to find a 
 frcih one. 
 
 DEFECTS — in horfes differ very materially 
 from what are termed BLEMISHES, (which fee:) the 
 latter are always confidered confpicuous, and eafily 
 obferved by the eye of experience and judicious 
 infpeclion. A horfe may have defe5ls not fo readi- 
 ly to be perceived, and confequently remain a 
 longer or fliorter period before they are difcovered: 
 he may prove incorrigibly reftive, and not happen 
 to difplay it in a new Jituation for days or weeks; 
 he may be a Jeafoned and invincible crib biter ; he 
 
 may 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 191 
 
 inay be vicious to drefs; a kicker in the night; 
 doubtful in the e^f J ; aukward in a6lion; trouble- 
 fome to f addle ^ and when faddled, more trouble- 
 Ibme to ride. Though thefe are defcQs, yet the 
 DEALER (proceeding upon the purejl principles of 
 integrity) conceives them profefTional privileges of 
 fecrecy^ which he is not bound in honor to difclofe; 
 affeding to believe, they are totally abftrafted from 
 every idea conveyed in the declaration and war- 
 ranty of being " perfeftly found.'* 
 
 That this matter, however, may be the better 
 and more univerfally underftood, it cannot be in- 
 applicable to introduce the opinion which the late 
 Lord Mansfield held publicly in the Court of 
 King's Bench; " that a rejlive horfe was tanta- 
 mount to an ttnfoitnd one; and upon this principle, 
 that if the fubje6l fo purchafed was evidently reftive, 
 and -would not^ or cozdd not, by fair means^ be 
 prevailed upon to go where he was required, 
 he was equally ufdefs with an invalid whofe lame- 
 nefs or infirmity prevented him from executing the 
 purpofes for which he was purchafed." From fuch 
 authority (founded upon the bafis of equity) there 
 can be but little, if any, doubt, an aQion brought 
 for the recovery of money paid for a rejlive horfe, 
 fuch horfe having been " warranted sound," 
 would obtain a verditl. As, however, the pro- 
 verbial uncertainty of the law, the confufion of 
 witnefles, and the caprice of a feepy jury, are 
 
 ver7 
 
19i2 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 very {lender reliances for the man of prudence and 
 honor, who wiflies " to do unto others as he- would 
 be done unto," the fafefl method for every purchafer 
 is to take (from the gentleman as well as a dealer) 
 a proper receipt, upon payment of the money, 
 that fuch horfe or mare is warranted found and free 
 from vice ; by which litigation and law-fuits may- 
 be prevented. 
 
 DELPINI, — originally called " Hackwood^'* 
 was bred by the late Duke of Bolton; foaled in 
 1781; and got by Highflyer out of Countefs^ who 
 Avas got by Blank. Delpini proved himfelf a 
 very capital racer, beating moft of the befl horfes 
 of his year at all ages. He has alfo acquired fome 
 celebrity as a stallion, being the fire of Kilton^ 
 Prior, Skelton, Mifs Ann, Tiptoe, Abram Wood, 
 Cardinal, Clyraene, Dido, Golden Locks, Dapple, 
 Flutter, Little Scot, Mifs Beverly, Nixon, Oppoji- 
 tion, Timothy, Agnes, Blue Beard, Camperdozvn, 
 Diichefs, Hop-well, UAhbe, Laborie, Patch, Stour- 
 ion, Symmetry, Baron Nile, Maid of the Mill^ 
 Slap-bang, Sabella, and many others, all winners. 
 
 DIABETES, — diverted of medical dignity, and 
 technical ambiguity, is neither more or lefs than a 
 profufe, frequent, and involuntary difcharge of 
 urine, from a weaknefs of fome of the parts negef- 
 fary to the fecretion and evacuation of that par- 
 ticular excrement. Whatever may have Been the 
 
 caufe 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 1^3 
 
 caufe, whether an injury in the loins, near the region 
 of the kidnies, violent and exceffive purging from 
 improper phyfic, or a relaxed ftate of the fphin6ler 
 of the bladder, the road to relief and cure is ftill 
 the fame; invigorants of every kind. Oatmeal 
 gruel for drink, inftead of water, in which gum 
 arabic is diffolved, fo that four or {\x ounces may 
 be taken every day; not fubmitting to which, half 
 an ounce, or fix drachms of liquid laudanum, may 
 likewife be given in a little gruel, with a horn, every 
 night and morning. 
 
 DIAMOND — was efteemed for fome years the 
 fpeedieft and belt bottomed horfe in the kingdom* 
 He was foaled in 1792; bred by Mr. Dawfon ; got 
 by High/Iyer out of the dam of Sparkle?', and 
 was own brother to Screvcton, At three years 
 old he repeatedly ran in handfome with fome of 
 the firft horfes, and was within a length of win- 
 ning the Derby at Epsom when twelve Itartcd, but 
 did no more than receive 50 guineas forfeit from 
 Lark at the fecond Newmarket Meeting of the 
 year 1795. Firft Spring Meeting, 1796, he w^on 
 the Jockey Stakes of 100 guineas each, fix fub- 
 fcribers. In the July Meeting of the fame year 
 he WALKED OVER for a fweepftakes of 200 guineas 
 each, feven fubfcribers. In 1797, when Mro 
 Cookson's, he won the King's hundred at New- 
 castle, and a 50I. plate the next day at the fame 
 place; 5ol. at York; the 50 guineas for all ages 
 
 Vol. L O at 
 
194 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 at Newmarket, beating Yeoman^ Play or Pay^ Jz-j 
 viator^ and others. The next day he won th{ 
 King's hundred guineas, beating the famous Her- 
 mione and Vixen, In 17^8 he beat Moorcock^ 
 over the Beacon Courfe, for 200 guineas, Mon- 
 day in the Craven Meeting. Firft Spring Meeting 
 he won a fwcepftakes of 100 guineas each, twelve 
 fubfcribers. Second Meeting, received a compro- 
 mife from Lord Clermont's Spoliator, At Ox- 
 ford he won the gold cup of 100 guineas value, 
 with 50 guineas in fpecic, beating Stickler^ John- 
 ny^ Oatlands^ and Whip; all excellent runners. 
 The King's hundred at Nottingham ; the King's 
 hundred at York; and beat Sir H. T. Vane's 
 Shuttle four miles over Don caster for 1000 gui- 
 neas : the odds eleven to eight upon Shuttle. In 
 1799 he was beat half a length the great match by 
 Hambletonian^ over the Beacon Courfe at New- 
 market, for 3000 guineas ; the odds five to four 
 upon Hambletonian. More money was fported 
 upon this match, and more company went from the 
 Metropolis to fee it decided, than ever was known 
 upon any other race in the kingdom. The next 
 day he won the firft clafs of the Oatlands stakes 
 5o guineas each (ten fubfcribers) beating eight 
 of the beft horfes of the year. Firft Spring 
 Meeting he won the King's hundred, beating. 
 Grey Pilot^ Lounger^ and St. George, Second 
 Meeting won the Jockey Club plate, and 50 guineas, 
 beating Stamford and Lounger, In 1800, Firft 
 
 5 Spring 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. ^195 
 
 Spring Meeting, he won a fubfcription 50I. beat- 
 ing Stamford^ ihc/amoics Coriander^ and Wrangler, 
 Firft Oftober Meeting he received 250 gmntdisforfeit 
 [romWarier. Second 08;ober Meeting he beat Hip- 
 j^on^ over the Beacon Courfe, 200 guineas. Here end- 
 ed his career of GLORY by the death of Mr. Cookson; 
 after which he was fold, and taken to Ireland; 
 where being engaged by his owner in a match of 
 much m.agnitude, he was lamed by over training 
 in another country, after running ^ve fuccejfive 
 years in this, without being lame, or having paid 
 FORFEIT from indifpofition, or being once amifs, 
 
 DIET. — The diet of horfes in this country is 
 now fo univerfally known, that very little is re- 
 quired upon the fubjeft of explanation under this 
 head. The articles called oats, beans^ hay^ bran^ 
 chaffs carrots^ diwd grains^ are individually brought 
 into ufe, as may beft coincide with the pecuniary 
 propenfities, or liberal fenfations, of the owners. 
 Whatever may be written upon the fubje6l of quart- 
 tity and quality^ w^ill very little influence the en- 
 quirers upon thofe heads; the gentleman and the 
 SPORTSMAN will iievcF alter their invariable plan of 
 plenty^ and of the heft qualify, but the long lift 
 of coachmafters, pollmafters, job and hackney- 
 mcn, carmen, carriers, and inferior tradenxien, 
 who merely exijl^ under the unavoidable accumu- 
 lation of taxes, cannot feed their horfes as they 
 zuoiild, but are compelled to feed them as they can. 
 No particular inftrutlions, therefore, becoir.e materi- 
 
 O 2 allv 
 
]06 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 ally iietefTary; but fome general rules may be laid 
 down for occafional recoUeQion. 
 
 The management of horfes of every defcription, 
 ^vhether for the turf, the field, or the road, is 
 now fo fyflematically underftood by the different 
 claffes of fociety, that nothing new, inftruQive, 
 or entertaining, can be introduced under that 
 head. Each horfe is fupported in a way (at lead 
 in rcfpccl to quantity and quality of food) individual- 
 ly, and regulated by the opinion of the owner, or 
 the work he has to perform. One conceives, from 
 his own fenfations of liberality, tvtnfour feeds of 
 corn a day too little; another confiders ^Zi;o rather 
 too 7nuch. In fuch contrariety and diverfity, who 
 can expecl to fee opinions concentrate in one 
 particular point? Such hope, if adopted, will be 
 eternally difappointed. It may not be inapplica- 
 ble to have it always in memory, that it is not 
 the number of feeds, or the quantity of hay, that 
 Ihould conftitutc the criterion, but the quality 
 of both upon which the nutritious fupport en- 
 tirely depends. Three meafures of good corn will 
 contribute more nutriment to the frame, andinvigo- 
 ration to the fyftem, xXvdw five of had: and twen- 
 tv-cight pounds of fubilantial fragrant hay will 
 at all times be more prudent, and more profitable, 
 than even double the quantity of a very inferior 
 quality. 
 
 This 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 197 
 
 This data judicioufly and occafionally adverted 
 to, will fufficiently widen the ground of information 
 to every comprehenfion; it being only ncccffary to 
 hold in memory the additional circumltance, that 
 horfes fed too high, without proportional work, 
 exercife, and evacuations, m\\{i htcomt full ^ pletho- 
 ric^ and ultimately difordered; while, on the con- 
 trary, thofe whofe blood is permitted to become 
 impoverifhed from a want of the neceffary fupply 
 of FOOD, will foon difplay it in a wafting of the 
 flefh, a contrafted flate of the creft, and, if long 
 continued, probably produce fome of thofe difeafcs 
 originating in a ferous and acrimonious ftate of the 
 blood. 
 
 DIOMED — was in great repute as a racer, and 
 afterwards as a stallion at ten guineas a mare. 
 He was bred by Sir C. Bunbury; got by Florizel; 
 dam by SpeElator^ and grand-dam by Blank; wa.s 
 foaled in 1777, and proved himfelf an equal runner 
 with the beft horfe of his time. As a ftallion, he 
 has propagated fome of the fineft ftock in the king- 
 dom. DiOMED is the fire of Anthony^ Charlotte^ 
 Grey Diomed^ Lai's^ Madernolfelle^ Playjellow^ Quel- 
 lavaca^ Sir Cecily JVhiJkers, Montezuma^ Glaucus^ 
 Speculator, Charapion^ Little Pickle^ Michael, Mon- 
 key^ Young Grey Diomed, Snip, Tom, Robin Grey, 
 Dalham, Guatimozin, Habakkuk, Adela, Ca:dar, 
 Switch, Greyhound, Laurentina, Poplar, Wrangler, 
 diud Egham ; all confidered winners; cxclufive of 
 
 O 3 many 
 
igS SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 many others who won matches and sweepstakes, 
 (as colts Ziud JilliesJ but w^ere never named. 
 
 DISEASE — is not only a ftate of the body di- 
 re8:ly oppofite to the ftandard of health, but may 
 be defined of two kinds; as thofe with which we are 
 afflided by the influence of a fuperior Power, whofe 
 wifdom we are not permited to explore; and by 
 Others that, in ads of negleB and indifcretion^ we 
 bring upon ourfelves. Difeafes are differently 
 coticeived : fome waiters defcribe them by their 
 cavj'e^ fome by their effcB : leaving the invefligation 
 in a kind of medical myftery, bearing no ill affinity 
 to theological ambiguity. In fa6l, the word is only 
 introduced here to remind every reader, that, in re- 
 fpeQ: to both man and horse, prevention is prefe- 
 rable to CURE. 
 
 DISTANCE; — a fporting term appertaining 
 folely to the turf. It is a length of two hundred 
 and forty yards (aftual meafurement) from the win- 
 ning-post of every race-course in the kingdom; 
 precifely at which fpot is fixed a poll correfponding 
 with others, but having a gallery annexed capable 
 of holding three or four perfons, which is called the 
 distance POST. In this gallery, as well as in the 
 o-allery of the winning-poil, before the horfes flart 
 each heat, is flationed a perfon holding a crimfon 
 flag; during the time the horfes are running, each 
 flag is fufpended from the front of the gallery to 
 
 which 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 199 
 
 which it has been appropriated ^ but immediatelv 
 upon the firfl horfe pafTing the holder of the ilkg m 
 the gallery of the wixninc-post, he Rrikes the 
 flag; at the very moment of his doing which, 
 the holder of the flag in the gallery of the diftance- 
 poft ftrikes his alfo, in confirmation that the heat 
 is decided; and fiich horse or horses (running for 
 the plate) as may not have pafTed the distance- 
 post before the flag is ftruck^ is then deemed a dif- 
 tancedhork^ and difqualified from fiarting again for 
 the fame plate or prize. A horfe running bn 
 the wrong Jide of a post, the rider not bringing his 
 proper and full weight to fcale after the heat, or dif- 
 mounting without firft riding his horse up to the 
 fide of iliQ/cale^ and weighing, are alfo deemed dif- 
 tanced horfes, and not permitted to ftart again. 
 
 DIURETICS. — The clafs of medicines fo called, 
 are thofe which, by their peculiar ftim.ulus, a8; fole- 
 ly upon the parts appropriated to the fecretion of 
 urine and its evacuation; thereby relieving the frame 
 from fuch impurities, or flight diforders as pafs un- 
 der the denomination of humours, and are faid to 
 originate in the ftate of the blood. The advertifed 
 diuretic balls of the Author are recommended and 
 eftablifhed for their w-ell-know^n efficacy in " cracks, 
 fcratches, inflammation of the eyes, perceptible 
 foulnefs, fwelledlegs, and greafe." Diuretics are 
 the more ufeful and convenient, becaufe a horfe can 
 
 be 
 O4 
 
200 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 be moderately ufed at any time during their opera- 
 tion. ^ 
 
 DOE — is the female of the fallow deer, bred 
 in parks, and are the fpecies from which the table 
 is fupplied with venifon : the male is called a buck; 
 the female, a doe: the young (of which they pro- 
 duce but one annually) is called a fawn. Doe 
 venifon is not confidered equal in epicurean eftima- 
 tion with the buck, either mfat or Jlavour ; nor is 
 it in feafon till the latter has declined: this happens 
 at the begining of autumn, when the feafon for co- 
 pulation (called rutting time) comes on. Fawns 
 are killed for the table at three months old, confe- 
 quently in ufe during the latter end of Auguft, and 
 firfl weeks of September. 
 
 DOGS, — that well-known fpecies of animal 
 whofe fidelity, attachment, gratitude, and general 
 utility, very far exceed every eulogium within the 
 power of the profufe pen of admiration to beftow. 
 Their virtues and ufeful qualifications are beyond 
 the moft prolific defcription: they are the proteftors 
 of our property at home, the promoters of our 
 plcafures abroad, and the pleafing partners of our 
 domedic comforts by the fire-fide. The Rev. 
 Mr. Daniel, in his elegant produQion called " Ru- 
 ral Sports," has given a very full and fatisfaftory 
 hiltorical account of their origin, the different kinds^ 
 and croffes, with inftances, and well authenticated 
 3 proofs, 
 
SPORTIXG DICTIONARY. 201 
 
 proofs, of their mutual afFeftion, fidelity, fagacity, 
 and docility. He has alfo introduced '• a laughable 
 philofophical account of dogs, under the flippofi- 
 tion of a tranfmigration of fouls ;" with a great va- 
 riety of matter, truly entertaining to the sportsman 
 of curious inveftigation. 
 
 In the reign of Queen Elizabeth was publiflied 
 a fyftematical arrangement of the different kind of 
 dogs peculiar to Britain; but many of the names by 
 which they were known, having iince become obfo- 
 letc, they have been mod judicioufly clafTed by 
 Mr. Daniel under the following genealogical heads. 
 1. Shepherds' Dog ; Wolf Dog; Iceland Dog; Lap- 
 land Dog; Siberian Dog. — 2. Hound; Harrier; 
 Terrier. — 3. Large Spaniel ; Small Spaniel ; Water 
 Dog ; Small Water Dog. — 4. Bull Dog. — 5. Large 
 DaniJJi Dog ; LriJIi Greyhound ; Great Hound Mon- 
 grel; Large Greyhound ; Englipi Greyhound; and 
 laftly, the Maftijf' Dog, When, after an inveftiga- 
 tion fo feemingly clear, and a defcription fo truly 
 fyftematic, every fportfman muft be equally fur- 
 prifed, that there is no collateral branch of the '• Ge- 
 nealogical Table," by which the Pointer has been 
 produced; fo that, with both thefe Authors, his ah 
 crigine^ or wide derivatur^ is left in equal obfcurity. 
 
 As the qualification of each particular fporting 
 dog will be more minutely adverted to under the 
 diftinft heads of Hound, Greyhound, Pointer, 
 Terrier, Sec. it becomes only applicable here, to 
 
 introduce 
 
202 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 introduce fiiCh ufefiil remarks as appertain to the 
 fpecies in general, under the feparate fatalities of 
 
 MADNESS and diseases. 
 
 The figns of madnefs in a dog are as follow : 
 He becomes dull, folitary, and endeavours to hide 
 himfelf: he feldom barks, but makes a kind of 
 murmuring noife, and refufes all kinds of meat and 
 drink : he is enraged at, and flies upon, ftrangers ; 
 but in this flage he remembers and refpe6ls his maf- 
 ter : his ears and head hang down ; he walks nod- 
 ding, as if overpowered with fleep : this is the firft 
 ftage; and a bite now, though dangerous, is not fo 
 bad as afterwards. After thefe fymptoms, the dog 
 begins to pant; he breathes quick and heavy; hangs 
 out his tongue, to emit a great deal of froth from 
 his mouth, which he keeps perpetually open : fome- 
 times he walks flowly, and as if half afleep, and then 
 fuddenly runs, but not always diredly forward, as 
 pretended: at length he forgets his mafter; his eyes 
 look difpirited, dull, full of tears, and red; his 
 tongue is of a lead colour, he grows faint and 
 vreak; oft reels, flaggers, and falls; then rifes fud- 
 denly, and attempts to fly at every thing, becoming 
 now mad and furious : this fecond fl:age feldom con- 
 tinues thirty hours, death putting by that time an 
 end to the difeafe : and a bite received during the 
 laft flage is juftiy confidered incurable. To thefe 
 diftinguifliing traits of the dreadful malady, may 
 be added the following, which are believed certain 
 
 and 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. COj 
 
 and invariable. All other dogs are alarmed at the 
 .approach of a dog really mad, and, upon ImcUing 
 him, not only inflantly avoid him, but run 'dw-Ay 
 ^\uth horror. The tone of the dog's voice when he 
 barks, feems hoarfc and hollow. In the dumb 
 madnefs, if the dog is confined, he barks incelfant- 
 ly for a da)' or two. 
 
 Thofe who wifh to go into a mod ingenious and 
 explanatory inveftigation of madnefs, and its dif- 
 ferent kinds in dogs, will feel themfelves highly 
 gratified in a perufal of that part of Mr. Daniel's 
 " Rural Sports," who has fyflematically introduced 
 the befl and mod judicious opinions and authorities 
 upon the fubjeft. 
 
 The difeafe occafioned by the bite of a mad dog 
 IS called hydrophobia; and the fmalleft quantity 
 of his faliva, eithery?Y/'7z or dry^ v/ill produce it. 
 The infeftion frequently lies dormant for many 
 months, and then difplays itfclf w^ith the greateft 
 violence; but, in general, it appears from a month 
 to fix weeks, at the expiration of which, if no 
 fymptoms of diforder are perceptible, the patient 
 is confidered to be fafe, and not to have received 
 the infetlion. It has been thought by the belt me- 
 dical authority, that the nearer the place bitten is to 
 the falivary glands, the fooner the fymptoms ap- 
 pear; and this, by obfervation and experience, is 
 now fully confirmed. 
 
 In 
 
204 SPORTING DICTIONARY. i 
 
 In order to communicate the infe6tion, a wound 
 is no more neceffary than it is in the fmall-pox ; 
 to the HUMAN SPECIES it can be communicated bv 
 the faliva only; but dogs have received it by being 
 in the kennel where mad dogs have been before. 
 This diforder, it feems, is only inherent and natural 
 to the canine fpecies, (as the dog, fox, and wolf;) 
 but other animals having received the infe8ion, by 
 the puncture of the tooth from either of thofe, may 
 then communicate it to any other fpecies, and by 
 the fame means. 
 
 When the human fpecies become unhappily the 
 fubjefts of this diforder, though in particular in- 
 llances fome variation may be obferved, the fymp- 
 toms are in general a flight pain in the wound, 
 fometimes attended with itching^ but always refem- 
 bling a rheumatic pain; it extends alfo into the 
 neighbouring parts, and at length from the extre- 
 mities it paffes into the vifcera; the cicatrix (if 
 there has been a wound) begins to fwell, inflames, 
 and then to difcharge an ichor; and this alone 
 may be confidered the primary and invariable fymp- 
 tom of a certain hydrophobia. There are other 
 more general pains, refembling rheumatic ones, 
 and are of a quick, flying, convuUive kind: they 
 affect the patient in the neck, joints, and other 
 parts; a dull pain often feizes the head, neck, 
 bread, belly, and even runs alon;:^ the back-bone. 
 The patient is gloomy, murmurs much, is forget- 
 ful, 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 205 
 
 ful, and drowfy ; at times the mind feems difordered; 
 by turns he is watchful ; his (lumbers become dif- 
 turbed, and awaking from them, convulfive agita- 
 tions immediately follow. 
 
 A deafnefs is fometimes complained of; the eyes 
 are watery, the afpe8: forrowful ; the face becomes 
 pale and contraQed; fweat alfo breaks out about 
 the temples ; an unufual flow of faliva at length 
 comes on, with a drynefs of the fauces, a foulnefs 
 of the tongue, and a difagreeable, or rather foetid, 
 effluvia from the breath. As the above fymptoms 
 increafe, the fecond ftage advances : a fever comes 
 on, which at firft is mild, but attended with mo- 
 mentary horrors, and violent periodical agitations; 
 "vvakefulnefs becomes continual ; the mind is more 
 and more diflurbed; a delirium approaches; and 
 an averfion to fluids and poliJJud bodies is at this 
 time plainly perceptible. At firft, a conftri6lion 
 of the gullet is perceived, and a difficulty of fwal- 
 lowing; but as yet liquids are freely taken, al- 
 though foon refufed : this fymptom augments fo 
 vifibly, that, when any liquid comes before their 
 fight, an horror immediately feizes them; and if 
 they make an eflPort to drink, fpafms are produced, 
 on which horrid gefticulations, and lofs of fenfes, 
 follow. The patient now murmurs, groans, and 
 mourns moft diftreffingly, lofes by degrees all 
 knowledge of his moft intimate acquaintance, and 
 then becomes deflrom of Vuing : reafon returns at 
 
 intervals. 
 
£0(5 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 intervals, and he laments his own calamity ; the 
 thirfl; excites a defire to drink, but in vain they 
 ftrive, and foon fink into the moft affeQing defpon- 
 dency. Confcious of the approaching inclination 
 to hite^ he warns his friends of their danger, and, 
 by words or motions, advifes them to keep at a 
 diftance. Toward the conclufion, the fever and 
 thirfl increafe, the tongue hangs out, the mouth 
 foams, ftrength fails, cold fweats come on, the 
 tightnefs in the breaft increafes, as well as all the 
 predominant fymptoms, till the patient expires in 
 llrong convulfions. 
 
 The fubje6l of madness in dogs, and the hydro- 
 phobia in the human fpecies, afford ample fcope 
 for refleftion and fcientific difquifition : this, how- 
 ever, not being the proper place for a literary en- 
 largement upon either, it becomes necefTary to in- 
 troduce a few remarks upon that well known de- 
 firuQive diforder called " the distemper," which 
 Mr. Daniel properly obferves, " is the moft fatal 
 (the plague only excepted) that any animal is fub- 
 jec^ to. It is aftonifhing what numbers have been 
 deftroycd by it within the period of its being known 
 in this country, which is about forty years : whether 
 the attention paid, and the medicines of different 
 kinds now ufually adminiflered in its lirft ft ages, 
 have occafioned the alteration, certain it is, the 
 difeafe is milder, and lefs frequent, than it was 
 twelve or fifteen years fince.'* 
 
 After 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 207 
 
 After all the difTedions and minute inv;e{tiga- 
 tions that can pofTibly be made, the dijlcmper^ in 
 refpe8: to its original or remote caufe, fets every 
 enquiry at defiance ; and it remains in the fame 
 ftate of uncertainty in which it has continued for 
 thirty years paft. Great and indefatigable exer- 
 tions, however, on the part of Mr. Blaine, (a 
 profefTional gentleman of anatomical and medical 
 celebrity,) have done much in the inveftigation ; 
 and as his refearches are conftant and unwearied, 
 the SPORTING WORLD havc yct much to expe6l from 
 his perfeverance. Mr. B. nioft candidly obferves, 
 that, " amidft all his inveftigations, although un- 
 able to difcover the original caufe of the difeafe, 
 and after many experiments made upon probable 
 ground to provide a cure for it, what enquiry, 
 condu8:ed on principles of reafon and fcience, 
 could not do, was effefted by chance ; and a reme- 
 dy was found as certain in its efFefts, as it is pofli- 
 ble for a remedy to be. Under a fair trial it has 
 never been known to fail; even in the word ftages, 
 when the convulfions were very frequent, it has re- 
 moved the complaint; yet, where the difeafe is fo 
 malignant, the certainty mull be diminiflied." 
 
 Mr. Beckford, whofe feries of " Letters upon 
 Hunting" are amongft the happieft efforts of truth 
 and accurate obfervation, communicates a remedy 
 for the diftemper, tranfmitted to him by a friend 
 whofe hounds had derived great benefit from the 
 
 experiment, 
 
20S SPORTING DICTIOXARV^. 
 
 experiment, of taking " an ounce of Peruvian 
 bark in a glafs of port wine twice every day;" 
 whether as a ball or bolus does not appear; but, 
 perhaps, upon trial, it will be found, that an 
 ounce of bark in powder will abforb (or take up) 
 Jour glafles of wine, before it can be rendered 
 fufficiently fluid for adminiftering in that form. 
 
 Mr. Daniel has fo largely and judicioufly 
 treated upon the fubjecls of the dijlemper and ca- 
 nine madnefs in his Rural Sports, that it is im- 
 poiTib.e to add a fingle thought o* line upon ei- 
 ther, without the moft palpable appearance of 
 plagiarifm : his own obfervations, blended with a 
 colle61ion of well-authenticated fa6ls, are fo nume- 
 rous, fo juft, and the inferences drawn fo truly 
 fcientific, that nothing new or additionally advan- 
 tageous can be introduced. 
 
 Dogs of every defcription are held in fuch ge- 
 neral eftimation, that the Legiflature has thought 
 proper to render the privilege of keeping them 
 a matter of pecuniary contribution to the fupport 
 of government, and the exigencies of the ftate ; 
 under which increafed and accumulated a8:, they 
 are become very efficient obje^ls of taxation, as 
 will be readily conceived by the annexed abftra6t. 
 
 " Perfons keeping one dog, not paffing under 
 the denomination of greyhound, hound, poin- 
 ter. 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 209 
 
 TER, SETTING DOG, SPANIEL, LURCHER^ OF TER- 
 RIER, lo pay the annual fum of fix fhillings." 
 
 " Any perfon keeping ofie or more dogs, of ei- 
 ther of the above defcription, is to pay ten fhillings 
 for every dog up to any number of dogs fo kept," 
 
 " Perfons may compound for their hounds at 
 THIRTY POUNDS per aunum,'' 
 
 Dogs, from their general utility, and the eftima- 
 tion they are invariably held in by their owners, 
 have been thought worthy an act of parliament 
 formed folely for their proteQion; rendering them 
 of proportional value with any other kind of 
 property, and equally entitled to legal prefcrva- 
 tion. By this flatute it is ena8:ed, *^ If any per- 
 fon fhall (leal any dog, or dogs, of any kind or 
 fort whatfoever, from the owner thereof, or from 
 any perfon entrufted by the owner thereof with 
 fuch dog or dogs; or fliall fell, buy, receive, 
 harbour, detain, or keep any dogs of any kind or fort 
 whatfoever, knowing the fame to have been fiolen 
 as aforefaid; every fuch perfon being convi6led 
 thereof upon the oath of one credible w^itnefs, be- 
 fore two Justices of the Peace, flisall for the firft 
 offence forfeit and pay any fum not exceeding 30L 
 nor lefs than 20I. and the charges of conviction." 
 
 Vol. I. - P And 
 
210 SPORTING DICTIONA RV. 
 
 And " in cafe fuch penalty fhall not be forth- 
 with paid, the oflFender to be committed to gaol 
 for any time not exceeding twelve months, nor lefs 
 thanj/zA;, or until the penalty and charges are paid* 
 Any perfon guilty of a fubfequent offence, t6 
 forfeit and pay any fum not exceeding 50L nor 
 lefs than 30L together with the charges; which 
 penalties to be paid, one moiety thereof to the 
 informer, and the other to the poor of the parifh. 
 On non-payment, the offender to be imprifoned 
 for any time not exceeding eighteen months, nor 
 lefs than twelve, or until the penalty and charges 
 ihall be paid, and be publicly whipped. Juftices 
 may grant warrants to fearch for dogs ftolen; and 
 in cafe any fuch dog or dogs, or their (kins, fhall, 
 upon fuch fearch, be found, to take and reflore 
 every fuch dog or fkin to the owner ; and the per- 
 fons in whofe cuflody any fuch dog or fkin fhall 
 be found, are liable to the like penalties and pu- 
 nifhments. Perfons aggrieved may appeal to the 
 quarter-feffions, and the determination there to be 
 final." 
 
 DOCKING. — The amputation of the tail is fo 
 called, from that part of the tail left to the body 
 being called the dock. It is a very fhort and fim- 
 ple operation, attended with no danger, and may 
 with yearlings be performed even with a common 
 knife. A very flight cauterization with a hot-iron, 
 and a little powdered rofin, immediately flops the 
 
 1 bleedingj 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 211 
 
 bleeding, and a cure takes place in a few days. 
 It was formerly a cuftom to dock horfes clof^ 
 to the quarters, under the erroneous and ridiculous 
 impreflion of making the horfe ftrong in the fpine: 
 fuch idea and pra6lice are, however, in the prefent 
 more enlightened age, entirely relinquiflied. 
 
 DOUBLE — a term in hare hunting. The 
 hare is faid to double, when, being confiderably a- 
 head of the hounds, (he throws herfelf to the right 
 or left, and returns in a parallel line to the track 
 ^Q. went before; getting into which, fhe is faid to 
 run the foil. If during the chafe Ihc lays down^ 
 fhe is then faid to quat, 
 
 DRAG — is a fporting term in hunting, and 
 ufed exactly in the fame fenfe with the fox, as 
 trail is with the hare. Upon throwing the 
 HOUNDS into covert^ to draw for a fox, any fingle 
 ho\ind giving tongue^ is faid to challenge, and to 
 have hit upon drag ; that is, to have come upon the 
 foot or fcent of the fox, where he had been in the 
 night or early part of the morning, before he re- 
 tired to fecrete himfelf for the day. When it was 
 the cuftom to be at the covert fide fo foon as there 
 was day-light fufficient to ride up to the hounds, 
 drag \^2is fpeedily obtained; and in many inftances 
 a good drag proved better than a bad chafe; but 
 in the prefent fafliion of going to covert, and 
 throwing off at mid-day,, drag is but very little 
 
 P 2 known, 
 
212 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 known, and but of trifling ufe if found; for the 
 SCENT muft, from the great length of time, have 
 fo generally died azvaj^ and fo partially remained, 
 that no expeftation can be entertained of the 
 HOUNDS carrying it up to the gaxMe. 
 
 DRAG-NET — is the particular net in ufe with 
 thofe no6i:urnal depredators who exert their utm.ofl 
 endeavours to devaftate every water in the neigh- 
 bourhood where they refide. It is of fufficient 
 length to extend from one fide of any moderate 
 fiondy moat^ or river^ to the other; and having the 
 bottom plentifully loaded with leads at equal dif- 
 tances, with the addition of afliftants at each end 
 to bring the two together, enclofes of courfe all 
 the fifli within its draught. 
 
 DRAUGHT OR Draft Horses — are of two 
 kinds; the one adapted to the light carriages and 
 fplendid trappings of the great ; the other to the 
 purpofes of agriculture, and the commercial tranf- 
 aftions of the Metropolis, where their numbers, 
 their ftrength, and powerful execution, exceed 
 every idea of the moft fertile imagination. See 
 Cart Horses. 
 
 DRAWING — is a term ufed in fox and stag 
 HUNTING, whtn drawing a covert to find either of the 
 former, or an outlying deer; it being cuftomary 
 to fay, " we draw for a fox;" " we try for a 
 hare;* DRAW. 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. Q13 
 
 DRAW-NET — is ufed for taking birds of dif- 
 ferent kinds, but more particularly applied to the 
 net made ufe of with the setting dog for taking 
 PARTRIDGES, by which mode the whole covey are 
 frequently fecured. The old birds are liberated, 
 and the young deftined to the table. This is, 
 however, confidered fo deflruElive and unfair a 
 praftice, that it is continued but by very few, and 
 thofe principally confift of rustic tyrants, or 
 rigid Cynics^ who wifli to monopolize not only the 
 SPORT and the game, but ^U the good things of this 
 life. 
 
 DRAY. — A fquirrel's depofit for its young is 
 fo called; it is built in the triangular branches of a 
 tree, and refembles the neft of a magpye. 
 
 DRENCH, OR Drink, — any medical compo- 
 fition prepared in a liquid form, and given to 
 horfes or cattle for the cure of difeafe. A dilUnc- 
 tion is made between the two in general; it being 
 the cuflom to fay, drink for a horse, drench for 
 a cow. They are given v/ith a horn, fold by fad- 
 dlers and collar-makers for that purpofe. 
 
 DRIFT — is the a8: of driving a common. This 
 ceremony takes place once, tzuice^ or thrice^ a year, 
 (according to the cuflom of the place,) to infure 
 and continue the privilege of the Lord of the 
 Manor, as well as to preferve the rights of the 
 
 P 3 parifhioners. 
 
214 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 parifhioners. The cattle upon the commons and 
 WASTES being all driven to fome particular fpot, 
 are there examined, and their owners afcertained: 
 thofe belonging to parifhioifers (or fuch as have 
 right, of common) are immediately liberated, and 
 return to their old lair : others, the property of 
 ALIENS, are impounded, and the owner \s fined fuch 
 reafonable fum as may be thought equitable by 
 the BAILIFF of the manor. No owner being 
 found, the obje6t (whatever it be) is called an 
 ejtrav^ which being cried three times in the near- 
 td i-iarket- o\vn;>, and not claimed within twelve 
 month:^ and a d^y, it then becomes the property of 
 the LORD of the manor. 
 
 DRIVER, — a name given to many famous 
 hnrfi^S but of very different blood. The firft 
 v.as ioalcd in 1727, bred by the Duke of Ancas- 
 TKR, and got by the Wynn Arabian, of no great 
 rote. Mr Beaver's Driver was foaled 1732, and 
 got by iS/z^i^ out of Thwaites's dun mare. Mr. 
 Lamego's Driver (commonly called Little Driver) 
 vi^cis got by Bf.aver's Driver; dam by Childers ; 
 grand-dara by the Walpole Barb; was foaled in 1743; 
 i,^6 fbi Ibn.e years proved one of the bed plate horfes 
 in the kingdon^, h?iving v;on upwards of thirty fif- 
 ties ; but as a llallion never produced any winners. 
 Loi^D Egremont's Driver^ foaled in 1783, was 
 got by T'^enthayn^ dam (Coquette) by the Comp- 
 ton Barbj and proved a tolerable runner. 
 
 DROPSY 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 215 
 
 DROPSY OF THE Chest — is a diforder to which 
 horfes are fubjeft; and many inftances have oc- 
 curred in the pra6lice of the Author, where feven, 
 eight, and in one cafe near ten gallons of water were 
 found in the cavity of the chest, upon opening the 
 body after death. This accumulation of fluid being 
 completely extravafated, no hope of cure can be 
 entertained, as the preternatural colledion can nei- 
 ther be taken up by abforption, or carried off by 
 evacuation. There feems to be only one predomi- 
 nant trait, or diftinguifliing fymptom, by w^hich 
 this diforder can be even tolerably afcertained, and 
 that is folely by the action of the horfe. In either 
 walk, trot, or gallop, (and the more as his pace 
 is increafed in each,) the fore legs feemingly fpread 
 from each other, as if they v/ere internally diftend- 
 ed by painful preffure, funilar to divifion by for- 
 cible expanfion, not at all unlike the means ufed 
 by butchers in the flick pointed at each end to 
 extend the limbs of carcafes when difplayed for 
 fale. The legs in a trot conftitute a painful hohhle ; 
 and in a gallop the fubjeft cannot get his legs be- 
 fore him, but appears at every motion likely to 
 pitch upon his head. All this gives every reafon 
 to believe the defe8;, when firft difcovered, is fre- 
 quently thought a lamenefs in the flioulder, and the 
 patient prefently deemed a cheft-founcjered horfe. 
 If a horfe having a dropsy in the chest, and the 
 colletlion of water (from the duration of difeafe) is 
 large, much information! may be derived refpefting 
 
 P 4 the 
 
gl6 SPORTING DICTIONARY^ 
 
 the certainty, by the following experiment. Lead, 
 or let him be rode up a gentle afcent^ and he will 
 be obferved to move with but very little pain or 
 impediment : the moment he is turned round, and 
 defcends, the weight of the water in the cheft coming 
 forward, and being prefled upon by the contents of 
 the abdomen, in the a6lion of going dozun hill^ in- 
 ftantly produces fo much pain, and fuch difficulty 
 of proceeding, that with judicious praBitioners, 
 or nice obfervers, no great hefitation can arife in 
 pronouncing the probable certainty of this difeafe, 
 
 DRUGS. — The parts of the materia medica 
 are fo called in their individual ftate, previous to 
 their incorporation with each other, when they then 
 become chemicals or galenicals, according to 
 the different procefles they have undergone; and 
 the moft eminent commercial houfes in that way, 
 announce themfelves dealers in " Chemicals, Ga- 
 lenicals, and Drugs." There is nothing requires 
 more the fcrutinizing eye of the sportsman, or the 
 judicious exertion of the veterinarian, than the 
 JeleBion of medicines; upon the pure and unadul- 
 ■ terated properties of which, he has alone to depend 
 for the foundation of all his hopes, the gratification 
 of all his wifhes, and the fupport of all his profef- 
 fional reputation. 
 
 It is a matter too univerfally known to require 
 
 nds 
 (or 
 
 much information, that drugs of different kinds 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 217 
 
 (or qualities) are Ibid under the farde denomination 
 Sit various prices; by which the prudent and the 
 experienced may eafily judge of the gradational 
 fhades of adulteration by which tho^e prices are 
 reduced. The lower clafs of farriers, particu- 
 larly in the country, are remarkable for purcnafing 
 the cheapejl articles they can obtain, and have of 
 courfe the regular channels through which they 
 are fupplied. The paltry articles fold for liouo- 
 
 RICE POWDER, DIAPENTE, FCENtJGREC, ANISEED 
 
 POWDER, and turmeric, are moftlya compound of 
 flour^ bean meal^ oatmeal, and various kinds of rub^ 
 bijk, (lightly impregnated with a fmall proportion 
 of the genuine drug or medicine it is intended to 
 reprefent. See Adulteration. 
 
 The drugs and medicines indifpenfibly necef- 
 fary for the profeffional embarkation of the vete- 
 rinarian, are as follow; and without the entire 
 poffeflion of which, it will be impoffible to do juf- 
 tice to the good opinion of his employers, or to 
 the reputation he may be anxious to obtain. 
 
 Aloes Succotrine and Barbadoes. Burgundy Pitch, 
 
 Affafaetida. Cream of Tartar. 
 
 Diaphoretic Antimony. Calomel. 
 
 Crude Antimony Levigated, Cammomile Flowers, 
 
 Butter of Antunoiiy. Camphor. 
 
 Barbadoes Tar. Camphorated Spirits of Wine, 
 
 Alum, Plain and Burnt. Carraway Seeds. 
 
 Anifeeds, Whole and in Powder, Corrotive Mercury, 
 
 Balfam of Sulphur, Elecampane. 
 
 Bay Berries. Emetic Tartar, 
 
 Bole Arraeniac. Euphorbium. 
 
 -/Egyptlacum, 
 
SIS SPORTING DICTION ARY, 
 
 ^gyptlacum. Oil of Amber, 
 
 Fcenugrec Seeds. Opium. 
 
 Frankinfepxe, Peruvian Bark, 
 
 Friars Baliam, Red Precipitate. 
 
 Ginger. Quickfilver. 
 
 Gum Arabic. Saffron. 
 
 Guaiacum. Sulphur, 
 
 Gum Ammoniacum. Saltpetre. 
 
 Honey. Sal Armoniac, 
 
 Jalap in Powder. Sugar of Lead, 
 
 Juniper Berries. Salt of Tartar, 
 
 Long Pepper. Spermacaeti. 
 
 Liquorice Powder and Juice: Syrup of Buckthorn. 
 
 Linfeed and Linfeed Powder, Snake Root. 
 
 Muftard Seeds. Tutty and Turmeric, 
 
 Myrrh Gum and TinBure. Philonium. 
 
 Nitre and Spirits of Nitre, Venice Treacle, 
 
 Oil of Anifeed. Turpentine. 
 
 Oil of Caflor. Roman Vitriol, 
 
 Oil of Turpentine. White Vitriol, 
 
 Oil of Vitriol. Verdigreafe, 
 
 To which may be added ointments detergent, di^ 
 geftive, and healing; lint, tow, fyringes, pipes, blad^ 
 ders. Sec, to meet all emergencies. Nothing fo much 
 betrays a want of medical knowledge and confiften- 
 cy, as the habitual indolence of being without the 
 neceffary apparatus, when fuddenly called upon in 
 cafes of ALARM and danger. Judicious pra6li-- 
 tioners never fall into the flovenly mode of fubfti- 
 tuting one medicine for another^ unlefs difficulties 
 or diftance prevent the poffibility of their being 
 obtained. 
 
 Many of the foregoing articles will alfo be found 
 ufeful in the pofTeffion of gentlemen refident in re- 
 mote parts of the country, or at a diftance from 
 
 towns ; 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 21^ 
 
 towns; particularly as the praftice of the village 
 SMITH or farrier may be too confined and unpro- 
 fitable to admit of his keeping up a ftock adapted 
 to a more extenfive concern. Sportsmen who are 
 anxious for the uniform confiilency of ftable ciifci-r 
 pline, and the prefervation of their fluds in good 
 condition, ftand not in need of advice upon a fub-r 
 je6l become fo univerfal; as very few fporting 
 eftablifhments are now to be feen, but what have 
 their colleftion of medicines ready prepared for any 
 unexpeded emergency. 
 
 DUBBING.— Taking off the comb and gills 
 from a game chick, before he is turned to a maffer- 
 walk, is fo called. The operation is performed 
 with a penknife for the comh^ and fciffars for the 
 gills ; after which wafli the parts with vinegar, or 
 weak fait and water, which terminates the whole. 
 
 DULNESS — in a horfe of any tolerable fpirit, 
 may be confidered an injallihle fign of prefent dif- 
 quietude, or approaching disease. In all cafes, 
 accurate invefligation, and early relief, are much to 
 be commended: even 2, Jlight co/^ attended to at 
 its commencement^ may be prevented from fpeedily 
 producing an inflammation of the lungs, fever, 
 or many other diforders of equal anxiety, trouble, 
 and expence. 
 
 DUNG. — The excrement of the horfe is fo 
 
 called, 
 
220 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 called, and fliould be occafionally attended to, as 
 its appearance will fometimes tend to the pre- 
 vention of difeafe. If the dung is bright in colour, 
 the globules uniform in fliape and confiftence, and 
 not/cstid in ejlicvia, the body may be confidered in 
 good ftate : on the contrary, if the dung, when 
 voided, is hard, black, and ofFenfive, or the parts 
 adhere to each other by a vifcid ropy flime, they 
 are equal prognoflics of internal heat, foulnefs, 
 and impending difquietude. Horfes in this ftate 
 lliould be put under a courfe of phyfic without de- 
 lay; for till they are thoroughly cleanfed, they 
 cannot with propriety be brought into any ftrong 
 exertions whatever. Another advantage is fre- 
 quently derived from an accurate infpe6lion of the 
 dung, where worms are fometimes feen in great 
 plenty, although, from the general appearance of 
 the horfe, no fuch circumftance may have been 
 expefted. 
 
 DUNGANNON, — thenameof a horfe of much 
 celebrity, his winnings being equal to any racer of 
 his day. He was bred by Col. O'Kelly, and 
 foaled in 1780. He was got by Eclipfe ; dam 
 (Afpajia) by Herod; her dam (Doris) by Blank; 
 grand-dam (Helen) by SpeElator^ Sec. Sec, After 
 beating every horfe of eminence, particularly the 
 famous horfe Rockingham over Newmarket, he 
 w^as taken out of training, and as a ftallion pro- 
 duced annually fome of the fpeedieft and beft bot- 
 tomed 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 221 
 
 tomed hoiTcs in the kingdom. He covered firft at 
 twenty guineas, then at fifteen, and laftly at twelve. 
 He was fire of Syhil^ Cinderella^ Equity^ Lurcher ^ 
 Harriet^ Northland^ Bandalore^ Clementina^ Fancy^ 
 Griffin^ Hambleton^ Hop-picker^ Miniynus^ Parrot^ 
 Bedford^ Pajlor^ Billy ^ Edgar^ George^ Little Devil, 
 Totter ella, Totter idge^ Cannons^ D if putt ^ Inferior^ 
 Outcajl^ Penfioner^ Bragger^ Oatlands, Boajler, 
 Omen^ Ploro^ and Mifs Totteridge ; all winners; 
 exclufive of many others, both colts and Jillies^ 
 who ran and won without a name. 
 
 E. 
 
 EARS. — As the ears conftitute much of the 
 beauty of a horfe, according as they are well or ill 
 fhaped, fo from their fituation, they are fure to 
 become early objefts of obfervation. If they are 
 fmall, foft, and fine, curving inward in a fmall de- 
 gree at the point, perfeQly ereft, and fpirited in ac- 
 tion, they give the animal a very noble, majeftic, 
 and commanding afpeft : on the contrary, when a 
 horfe points his ears forwards, he bears the appear- 
 ance of looking eternally for mifchief and always 
 preparing to JI art at every objecl he meets, which 
 is no very pleafant fenfation to the rider. Horfes 
 of this defcription are feldom remarkable for the 
 fa/ety of their eyes ; a purchafer cannot be too cir- 
 
 cumfpecb 
 
222 SPORTING DICTIONARY* 
 
 cumfpe6l in his examination before he makes him 
 an acquifition. Horfes having coarfe, long, foul 
 ears, fet on too low, and hanging down on the 
 fides, are called mule or lop eared horfes ; and if of 
 good form in other refpe6ls, and of fome value, 
 they are in general cropped to improve their ap- 
 pearance. The greater part of the racing ftock of 
 old Herod^ one of the beft ftallions ever bred in 
 England, were foul^ long^ and wide in their ears, 
 which is to be feen in almoft the whole of their 
 progeny. 
 
 Pain in the ear of a horfe is difcoverable imme- 
 diately by its flaccidity, and painful deprivation of 
 ereftion. The ear lays nearly flat either one way 
 or another; the horfe is almoft every minute giving 
 violent fhakes of his head, which he as conftantly 
 leaves hanging down on the Tide affected; from 
 "which circumftances alone the feat of pain may 
 with certainty be afcertained. Pains in the ear 
 may arife from various caufes, as colds, blows, the 
 infinuation of, or iling {xoxi\^ foreji fties. bees, wafps^ 
 or hornets. If the firft is kjiown to be the caufe, 
 the ftimulus excited by mildly rubbing the iniide 
 with the half of a newly divided onion, will foon 
 relieve the pain. If from a blow, rubbing the ear 
 infide and out with two table-fpoons full of cam- 
 phosated fpirits, mixed with two tea-fpoons full of 
 extraft of faturn, will relieve. If from a fting, a 
 plentiful impregnation of fine olive oil, to give the 
 
 fkin 
 
 I 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 223 
 
 {kin the power of expanfion, will be right in the 
 moment of increafing inflammation; after which, 
 the fv/eliing may be allayed with common w^hite 
 wine vinegar, verjuice, or flrong vegeto mineral 
 water. 
 
 Trimming the ears on the infide is a very com- 
 mon pradice, and adds confiderably to the neatnefs 
 and cleanlinefs of the head and appearance ; but 
 care fliould be taken never to let it be done du- 
 ring rainy weather, fharp and fevere winds, or in 
 the winter feafon; dreadful colds, as well as dange- 
 rous difeafes, have often been produced by thefe 
 m.eans, without knowing from w^hat caufe the ill 
 effe6l has beerr derived. The operation of trim- 
 ming fliould be performed in warm, open, mild 
 w^eather, and with scissars in preference to the 
 flame of a candle; which, with the additional ufe 
 of the twitch^ only ferves to put the poor animal to 
 a double degree of unneceffary mifery. After the 
 ears are trimmed, they may be rubbed over the in- 
 fide with a fmall quantity of frefli butter, or a 
 piece of fine linen impregnated with olive oil, both 
 of which are excellent preventives to cold after 
 the operation. 
 
 ECLIPSE, — the name of the moft famous horfe 
 (fince Flying Childers) ever produced or trained in 
 this or any other country. He was bred in Wind- 
 for Great Park by the Culloden (or Great} Duke of 
 
 Cumberland^ 
 
224 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 Cumberland^ being foaled during the celebrated 
 eclipfe in the year 1764, from which his name was 
 taken. He was got by Old Marjke^ dam (Spilletta) 
 by Reguhis; her dam (Mother Wejlern) by Smith's 
 fon of Snake; grand-dam by Lord D'Arcy's Old 
 Montague^ Sec. Sec. Upon the deceafe of his Royal 
 Highnefs, the flud were fold by auftion at the Park 
 Lodge; where Eclipfe (then a yearling) was pur- 
 chafed by Mr. Wildmax for 46 guineas, and after- 
 wards fold to Colonel O'Kelly (his lafi: and only 
 polfeffor) for 1700 guineas. In 1769, when five 
 years old, he won two 50's at Epfom; 50 at Ascot 
 Heath; the King's 100 guineas, and 50, at Win- 
 chester; the 100 guineas, the bowl, and 30 guineas, 
 at Salisbury; and the King's 100 guineas at Can- 
 terbury, Lewes, and Litchfield. 
 
 In 1770 he received forfeit 600 guineas, and won 
 the King's 100 guineas at Newmarket; the King's 
 100 guineas at Guildford; the fame at Notting- 
 ham; the fame and 319 at York; the King's 100 
 guineas at Lincoln; 150 guineas, and the King's 
 100 guineas again at Newmarket, where orders 
 having been privately given by his owner, " to go 
 off ^ifcore^ and run the whole four miles {ox fpeed^'* 
 he double diftanced his opponents, and was then 
 taken out of training for want of a competitor. 
 From this time he continued as a ftallion at Ep- 
 fom, in Surry, and afterwards at Cannons, the feat 
 of Colonel O'Kelly, in Middlefex, where he died 
 
 on 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 2:25 
 
 on the 27th of February, 1789, in the 26th year of 
 his age; leaving a progeny of winners and ftallions 
 who are tranfmitting his blood to pofterity in di- 
 re6lions too numerous to be obliterated to the end 
 of time. 
 
 He was (ire of Firetail^ Soldier^ Corporal^ Ser- 
 jeant^ Don Quixote^ King Fergus^ Nina^ Charlemont^ 
 Competitor, Gunpowder, Hidalgo^ King Herman^ 
 Meteor^ Pegafus^ Scota^ Serpent^ Squeaky Striplings 
 Devi Sing, Eliza, Poor Soldier, Big Ben, Spitfire^ 
 Fair Barbara, Adonis, Mercury, Lily of the Valley ^ 
 Volunteer, Bonny/ace, Jupiter, Venus, Antiochus, 
 Dungannon, Maria, Henley, Soujah id Dowlah, Gri- 
 malkin, Dian, Thunderbolt, Lightning, Spinner^ 
 Horizon, Mifs Hervey, Plutus, Pluto, and Comet; 
 exclufive of a great number of winners, for the lift 
 and particulars of which, reference may be made to 
 Weatiierby's " Stud Book,'' and " Racing Ca- 
 lendarS' 
 
 EARTH. — A FOX beating his purfuers when 
 hunted, and taking refuge under ground, is then faid 
 to have earthed, or gone to earth. Some of thefe 
 earths are fituate in old chalk pits, forming fuch 
 different channels and ramiiications amidft the roots 
 of trees in woods and coppices, that it is impoffible 
 to dig them out; but where there is the leaft proba- 
 bility of fuccefs, it is never relinquifhed; upon the 
 cftablifhed and well- founded principle, that the 
 
 Vol,. I. Q hounds 
 
226 SPORTING DICTIONARY^ 
 
 hounds are always entitled to blood after a good 
 CHASE. A wanton and unneceflkry deftru8ion is, 
 however, at no time to be juftified, particularly in 
 a country thin o{ foxes ; fuch unthinking devaftation 
 is frequently produdive of a blank day at the end 
 of a feafon. ^ 
 
 EARTH-STOPPER— is an indifpenfible part 
 of a FOX-HUNTING eftablifliment, whofe bufinefs is 
 principally performed by night. His department is 
 to vifit and ftop the ftrongeft earths in the diftrict 
 intended to be hunted on the following day. This 
 is ufually effefted between the hours of ten at night 
 and four in the morning, by means of bufhes^ bj-am- 
 hles^ earthy Sec. to furnifh which, he is provided 
 with a hand-bill, fpade, candle and lanthorn, a har- 
 dy rough poney, terriers, and of courfe a pocket 
 pijlol^ to recruit the fpirits amidft the dreary fcenes 
 it is become his occupation to explore. It is alfo 
 his bufinefs to re-open the earths after the fport of 
 the day, that the foxes may not fall vi6lims to 
 other modes of deftruftion. 
 
 ELDER — is a tree common in mofl hedges in 
 the country, bearing a fruit called elder-berries, 
 from which people make a very good wine. It is, 
 however, only mentioned here to remind the rea- 
 der, that lYitJlowers are a very excellent ingredient 
 in fomentations, and fporting gentlemen fhould 
 never be without them : they fliould be gathered in 
 
 1 the 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 227 
 
 the heighth of tlie bloom, properly dried, and pre- 
 ferved for ufe. 
 
 ELECAMPANE, — a root formerly in much 
 eftimation for its efficacy in coughs and diforders of 
 the bread and lungs; hence the reputation it has 
 attained in peroral compofitions for the ufe of 
 horfes. The great difficulty, however, of pro- 
 curing any thing like the genuine root in powder 
 from the medical retail (hops, mufl: ever prevent 
 any great gratification of expeftation, to thofe who 
 rely too much upon the properties it is faid to re- 
 tain. 
 
 EMBROCATION; — a name given to spiritu- 
 ous, VOLATILE, or SATURNINE applications in a 
 liquid form ; either as corroborants^ Jlimulants, re- 
 pellents^ &c. and in mofl cafes they are doubly effi- 
 cacious, if their ufe is preceded by fponges dipt in 
 a hot decoclion, prepared from thofe garden aro- 
 matics called " fomentation herbs/* 
 
 EMOLLIENTS — are fuch external applica- 
 tions as mollify the furface, and alleviate any ftric- 
 ture upon the furrounding parts : they fupple the 
 folids, as well as (heath and foften any afperity of 
 the fluids. Fomentations are of this clafs, and 
 prove of the greateft utility in all tumefaRions, en- 
 largements, and many lameneffes of horses, with 
 thofe practitioners who have judgment and patience 
 
 Q2 to 
 
228 SPORTING DICTIONARY/ 
 
 to bring them perfeveringly into ufe. From the 
 relaxing property of emollient topics, and their 
 flieathing of acrimony, it is that they are good fe- , 
 dative applications, when pain from tenfion or irri- 
 tation is excited: from nervous fympathy, their 
 efficacy is conveyed to diftant and deep-feated 
 parts, and thus it is that the warm bath proves in 
 moft cafes fo powerful a fedative. Emollients, 
 whether in the ufe o^ fomentations^ or the applica- 
 tion of poultices^ by relaxing the fibres, and in- 
 creafing the congeftion of fluids, greatly promote 
 fuppuration, to effe6l which in all inflammatory 
 tumours, they fliould be immediately brought into 
 ufe. 
 
 ENTRANCE of HORSES— is the ceremony 
 of entering horfes (at the particular places appoint- 
 ed) on a certain day previous to the races at any 
 city, borough, or town, where the plates to be run 
 for are given and advertifed. Horfes intended to 
 run, are " to be shewn and entered," paying two 
 or three guineas " entrance money^' (according to 
 the cuftom of the place,) and in general jiveJUiU 
 lings to the clerk of the course. For all plates 
 given by His Majesty, orhis R. H, the P. ofWALEs, 
 no other entrance money is permitted, or paid, but 
 the before-mentioned fee to the clerk of the courfe. 
 
 ENTRANCE of HOUNDS— is the introduc- 
 
 tion o^ young hounds to the pack; with whom, at a 
 
 2 proper 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 229 
 
 proper age, they are incorporated, for their initia- 
 tion in the kind of chafe to which they arc then to 
 become appropriate. This is a matter fo truly 
 profefTional, and fo entirely dependent upon the 
 judgment of the huntsman and his attendants^ that 
 neither inftruftion or entertainment can be deri- 
 ved from literary defcription. 
 
 EPILEPSY, — a diforder in horfes, bearing fome 
 fimilitude to apoplexy and staggers; for which 
 the fame medical means are applied for relief. 
 
 EQUERRY — is an appointment of much ho- 
 nour in the home department of His Majesty, 
 under the fole direftion of the master of the horse. 
 There are five equerries in this official fituation, 
 one of whom is called the Jirjl : of the other four, 
 two are always in waiting to attend upon His 
 Majesty in every equeftrian excurfion, whether 
 on the road, to ihcjield, or in the chafe, with whom 
 His Majefty moft gracioufly condefcends to con- 
 verfe familiarly. His Royal Highnefs the Prince 
 of Wales, the Dukes of York, Gloucester, 
 and other branches of the Royal Family, have 
 likewife attendants of this defcription. 
 
 EQUERRIES — apply equally to thofe in a 
 more fubordinate fituation, who perfonally officiate 
 in the stables of the Crown, and to whom is en- 
 trufted the breaking, managing, and preparing 
 
 O 3 faddle- 
 
230 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 faddle-horfes of every defcription for the King's 
 ufe. Some of the out-riders who attend upon the 
 family, pafs alfo under the fame denomination. 
 
 EvSCAPE, — the name of a horfe of great beau- 
 ty, excellent fymmetry, and much celebrity. He 
 was bred by Mr. Franco, and got by Highjlyer 
 out of a Squirrel mare; he was foaled in 1785 ; 
 and in the Firft Spring Meeting at Newmarket, 
 1789, he beat the Prince of Wales's Cantoo Ba- 
 hoo^ from the ditch-in, for 200 guineas. He was 
 then purchafed by his Royal Highnefs, and in the 
 Second Spring Meeting he received forfeit from 
 Alexander^ and Clown, 100 guineas each. In the 
 Firft Odober Meeting of the fame year, he beat 
 Nimble acrofs the flat 200 guineas. The Craven 
 Meeting, 1790, he beat Grey Diomed over the 
 Beacon 500 guineas; and won the great fubfcrip- 
 tion purfe at York, beating A&.(ro7i, and Gujlavus, 
 The Craven Meeting, 179I9 he beat Skylark, High- 
 lander, Glaucus, Halkin, Meteor, and Buffer^ a 
 fubfcription of 50 guineas each: two to one on 
 Skylark. Firft 06lober Meeting the fame year, he 
 beat Grey Diomed over the Beacon Courfe 8ft. 71b. 
 each for 1000 guineas. Two days after, he beat 
 him again for the renewed 140 guineas. In the 
 fecond 061ober Meeting he won a fubfcription 
 purfe (twelve fubfcribers) over the Beacon, beat- 
 ing Chanticleer, Skylark, Grey Diomed, Harpator, 
 and Alderman<i with the odds four and five to one 
 
 againft 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. $131 
 
 agalnft him. When taken out of training, he co- 
 vered at Highflyer Hall at ten guineas a mare, and 
 half a guineas the groom. 
 
 ESCHAR — -is the prominence remaining upon 
 the cicatrix of an ill-cured wound, or the fcab fre- 
 quently feen to form a projeding apex upon a 
 broken knee; or where fome injury has been left to 
 cure itfelf by an effort of nature, without the leaft 
 interpofition of art. If it is a fcab only, and not 
 of long {landing, it may in general be brought away 
 fpontaneoufly, by occafional foftenings with fniall 
 quantities of camphorated fperma caeti liniment; if, 
 on the contrary, they are rigidly feated, and have 
 acquired a degree of callofity in the nature of a fit- 
 fafl^ there is no other mode of cure, but by extir- 
 pation with the knife and forceps. 
 
 ESTRAY, OR Stray, — appertain equally to 
 horfe^ mare^ hull^ ox, cow, Jlieep, or, in faft, any 
 head of cattle, who having ftrayed from its own 
 home, common, wafte, or lair, into a ftrange 
 MANOR, or LORDSHIP, and there found without an 
 owner, is then called an estray, oxjlray: in which 
 cafe it is an eflabliflied cuftom, fan6lioned by law, 
 and founded in ecjuity, that {uoh flray is proclaim- 
 ed, and his or her marks defcribed, by the com- 
 mon crier, in the three next neareft towns on the 
 market-day; and if the ftray is 'not claimed within 
 a year and a day of the time on which it was pub- 
 
 Q 4 Hcly 
 
236 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 licly cried, and fully defcribed, it then becomes 
 the property of the lord of the manor where it 
 was found. If the owner makes the claim within 
 the time limited, he is liable to pay reafonahle 
 charges for finding, keeping, proclaiming, <Src. 
 An eftray muft be kept without labour, uninjured, 
 and properly fed, till reclaimed, or the time above 
 mentioned is expired. 
 
 EUPHORBIUM, — an article whofe acrid and 
 ftimulative property renders it only applicable to 
 one medical purpofe, and that externally; it confti- 
 tutes a principal ingredient in the preparation of 
 BLISTERING OINTMENT for HORSES, whcrc its pro- 
 portion, if managed properly, fhould be exatlly 
 equal with its correfponding article cantharides, 
 commonly called Spanijh flies, 
 
 EVACUANTS — are fuch medicines as gently 
 ftimulate the inteftines, and urinary paffages, to a 
 more fpeedy fecretion and expulfion of their excre- 
 mentitious contents. The term is applicable to 
 both PURGATIVES and diuretics; the effe6l of 
 which is to remove plethora in horfes, and to pre- 
 vent the confequent vifcidity of blood; which, 
 when a horfe is overloaded in his frame, and the 
 folids too grofsly diifended, foon difplays itfelf in 
 fcvelUd legs^ cracked keels^ cutaneous fcmfy erup^ 
 iions^ greafe^ farcy ^ or fome cut of the many ills 
 ircaucntly produced by an accumulation of hu- 
 mours 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 233 
 
 HOURS originating in a corrupt or vitiated flate of 
 the fluids, inconfiderately neglected, or probably 
 never attended to. Thofe who will condefccnd to 
 dedicate a little time occafionally to the palpable 
 utility of EVAcuANTs, either as preventives, or the 
 means of cure, (in a variety of cafes,} will never 
 ftand in need of a monitor to promote their ufe. 
 
 EVACUATION— is that part of the animal 
 (ECONOMY, without 3. regular prcfcrvation of which, 
 the frame of man or beaft cannot long continue 
 free from pain or disease. Next to the aliment 
 neceifarilv received for the fupport of life, eva- 
 cuation is the very effort of Nature upon which 
 HEALTH muft principally depend. Little penetra- 
 tion is requiiite to comprehend moft perfectly a 
 fyftem fo plain as to require but very concife ex- 
 planation. Confiftency fhould be obferved, and 
 attention fhould be paid, to what the frame re- 
 ceives by FOOD, and what it difcharges by the dif- 
 ferent evacuations; for if the body (within any 
 given time) accumulates much more by unreafon- 
 able and unneceffary fupplies, than the efforts of 
 Nature can carry off by her different emuhfto- 
 ries in the evacuation of excrements^ the foundation 
 of difeafe follows of courfe. The fluids become 
 thick and ftagnant, the circulation languid, the 
 folids preternaturally diflended, and their elafti- 
 city partially deflroyed; hence arifes that infinite 
 number of diftorted valetudinarians with which 
 
 the 
 
234 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 theftreetsof the Metropolis fo plentifully abound, 
 and by whom the conftantly increafing medical 
 shops and medicine wharehouses are principally 
 fupported. 
 
 By adverting to thefe confiderations, it will 
 immediately appear, that even a temporary fup- 
 preffion of the natural evacuations muft, in the 
 firft inftance, inevitably prove the bafis of pain or 
 dif quietude^ and laflly of disease. In the human 
 body, great attention fhould be paid to diurnal 
 evacuation, if a wifh to preferve health is at all 
 entertained. Infinite are the miferies originally 
 brought on, and for years continued, (to a linger- 
 ing death J by an inconfiderate negleQ: or indolence 
 in refpecl to the due proportion to be obferved be- 
 tween repletion and evacuation. 
 
 This attention is not more neceffary in the hu- 
 man frame, than it is with the horses of thofe 
 who indulge the leaft deiire to have their ftuds in 
 high health and perfect condition. When a horfe 
 is obferved to get above himfelf, or, in other words, 
 to become loaded with flefh, too full in the carcafe, 
 round in the legs, thick in the wind, dull in the 
 liable, and heavy in aftion, evacuation cannot 
 be too foon promoted as a preventive to impend- 
 ing difeafe. 
 
 EXCRESCENCE. 
 
«rORTING DICTIONARY. 235 
 
 EXCRESCENCE. — Any preternatural enlarge- 
 ment is fo called; but it is principally, and moll 
 properly, applied to thofe of a fpongy nature, as 
 WARTS and wens, as well as a polypus upon any 
 particular part. In slW wounds o^ horses, if they 
 are of confiderable magnitude, fungous flefh in- 
 creafes very rapidly, and frequently difconcerts the 
 young or injudicious veterinarian; who, erro- 
 neoufly adopting caujlics and efcharotics^ too often 
 renders the remedy more deflruBive than the dif- 
 eafe. Fungous formation of this kind pafTes alfo 
 under the technical denomination of excrescence, 
 and is beft reduced by fuperficial fcarification in 
 lines tranfverfe and longitudinal ; the dreflings then 
 confiding of ftrong red precipitate digeflive oint- 
 ment with lint, &:c. Excrefcences of the warty 
 kind will always fubmit to repeated and perfevering 
 applications of butter of antimony, oil of vi- 
 triol, or any other efcharotic, but they are not to 
 be laid on with too liberal a hand. Wenny deep- 
 feated fubftances (erroneoufly called excrefcences) 
 require very warm ftimulants, and powerful fpiri- 
 tuous applications, for a great length of time, be- 
 fore any expe6tation of repulfion or obliteration 
 can be entertained. 
 
 EXERCISE. — The great advantages refulting 
 from exercise, to both man and beaft, are now fo 
 univerfally underftood, both in theory and prac- 
 tice, that animadverfion here mull be confidered 
 
 matter 
 
236 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 matter of fuperfluity : thofe, however, who wi/h 
 for a more enlarged or fcientific difquifition, will 
 i'.ndjifty pages in the fecond volume of the Gen- 
 tleman's Stable Directory appropriated to this 
 particular head. 
 
 EXPEDIATE — is a term tranfmitted from one 
 book to another by former writers, but is at prefent 
 little ufed in either theory or practice. It im- 
 plies the cutting out the centrical ball of the foot 
 of a dog, or fuch claws as fliall totally prevent his 
 purfuit of game. In earlier times, when the forest 
 LAWS were more rigidly enforced, the owner of 
 any dog not expediated, living within the diftrift, 
 was liable to a fine for non-obedience. 
 
 EXTRAVASATION— applies only to fuch 
 fluids as may, from any accidental caufe, or injury 
 fuftained, efcape from the tubes or veffels in which 
 they were confined ; when they from fuch extrava- 
 fation become flagnant, laying the foundation of 
 an obftruclion terminating in an enlargement, pro- 
 bably difagreeable to the eye, and fome impediment 
 to action. Extravafated lymph, oozing from rup- 
 tured fibres, lay mod invariably the foundation of 
 almoft every tumefa6lion to which we can advert; 
 and evidently demonftrates the neceffity for reflec- 
 tion before we proceed to blows, w^hen it is recol- 
 le6led what ferious and lading injuries by blows 
 may be fuftained. 
 
 EYES. 
 
 I 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 237 
 
 EYES. — The ftate of the eyes in every horfe 
 conftitutes fo much of the value and excellence in 
 refpecl to their good or bad formation, that proper, 
 nay extreme, circumfpe6lion ought to be ufed in 
 the examination previous to purchafe. The beft 
 and moft experienced judges of horfes are fome- 
 times ferioufly difappointed, and not unfrequently 
 deceived, in a fuperficiai furvey, and too hafty de- 
 cifion : in fa6l, there is no point o^ the animal 
 upon the merits of which (in a variety of inftances) 
 it is fo difficult to form an accurate, at lead an in^ 
 fallible^ opinion as upon the parts before us. If 
 at firft fight you are attracted by their bright, bold, 
 prominent appearance, and obferve they are fuffi- 
 ciently clear and tranfparent to refied your own 
 figure in the eye as you fland before it, and the 
 horfe neither winks^ blinks^ or rolls the orbs of the 
 eyes about, as \^ feeling for the light when brought 
 out of the liable, there is then every well-founded 
 reafon to believe they are not only fafe^ but per- 
 fectly GOOD. On the contrary, when the eye 
 appears flat^ as if funk in its orbit, wnth a palpable 
 vacuum round the orb, between it and the eye-lid, 
 it is a very unfavourable indication ; particularly if 
 there fliould be no defluxion (or inflammator/ 
 difcharge) from the eye, to juftify the idea of a tem- 
 porary injury having been fuftained by a blow, 
 bite, or fome fuch accident^ neither to be forefeen 
 or guarded againft. If there is a palpable indenta- 
 tion above the orbs, and a wrinkled contraftion of 
 
 the 
 
238 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 the eye-lids towards the forehead, they are invaria- 
 ble fymptoms, or certain figns, of impending dan- 
 ger, and the fubje8; cannot be ventured upon 
 without a very great probability of certain lofs 
 when he is again offered for fale. 
 
 A fmall pig-eye fhould be likewife carefully 
 avoided, as they are feldom to be depended upon ; 
 the fubjeft is frequently addicted to Jlarting^ and 
 the future flate of the eye in general douhtfuL A 
 cloudy muddinefs within the outer humour of the 
 eye, (giving it an opaque appearance,) or a milky 
 thickening of the furface, denote prefent defeBj 
 and great probability of approaching blindnefs. It 
 becomes, therefore, in all cafes of doubt, a matter 
 of felf-prefervation, to have in memory this admo- 
 nition, that it will be more advantageous (evidently 
 more prudent) to rejeft an objeft of impurity and 
 partial attraction, than to purchafe in hafte, and 
 " repent at leifure." 
 
 PALLOW 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 239 
 
 F. 
 
 FALLOW DEER— are the fpecies of Deer 
 bred in parks for the produ6lion of venifon, as 
 well for the private ufe of the great and opulent, 
 as for fale. The male is called a buck; the female, 
 A doe; the offspring of both, a fawn; and they 
 vary fome degrees in colour, but confifl: principal- 
 ly of a dark dingy brown, inclining to black, or 
 a mottled fandy dun. The buck is furnifhed with 
 horns, which he fheds yearly : the doe has no fuch 
 weapons for felf-defence. 
 
 The BUCK fheds his horns from the middle of 
 April through the firft weeks of May^ which are in 
 part regenerated by the month of September, The 
 DOE generally produces her young in the lafl week 
 of May^ or during the two firft of June. The 
 feafon for buck venison commences in Juh^ and 
 goes out about Michaelmas; when doe V£niso>j 
 comes in, and continues till January, The time in 
 which the a6l of procreation is carried on (called 
 rutting time) commences at the latter end of Au^ 
 gujl^ and continues during the greater part of Sep- 
 tember* 
 
 The fkins of both buck and doe are manufac- 
 tured into the article of leather for breeches, fo 
 
 fuperior 
 
240 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 fuperior to every other kind for the purpofe of 
 riding, the produce of the whole kingdom is not" 
 equal to the demand, many thoufand fkins being 
 annually imported from different parts of the 
 world. For the laws relating to deer, fee Deer 
 Stealers. 
 
 Buck huntixVG was formerly a much more fre- 
 quent fport than at prefent; and a dwarf kind of 
 ftag-hound (called buck-hounds) were kept for the 
 purpofe. The uncertainty and fliort duration of 
 the chafe, has, however, at length, nearly oblite- 
 rated the praBice, as there is hardly fuch a thing 
 in the kingdom as a pack kept folely for the purpofe 
 of hunting fallow deer. 
 
 FALLOW LAND— is land fo called when 
 under no immediate cultivation, but ploughed up, 
 and laid at reft, to acquire, from its expofure to 
 the elements, additional ftrength for the produ8:ion 
 of future crops. Of thefe there are both fummer 
 and winter fallows ; upon the laft of which, if dry, 
 HARES may generally be found in the months of 
 January^ February^ and March, if there are any to 
 be feen in the country. 
 
 FALCONER. — A falconer, whofe province 
 it was to taiue, 7nanage, and look after falcons, 
 and other hawks, was formerly as great and con- 
 fpicuous a charader as the moil celebrated hunts- 
 man 
 
Sporting dictionary. 241 
 
 MAN of the prefent day. The influence of fafiiion, 
 and the changes wrought by time, have, however, 
 fo obfcured both sport and sportsman in this way, 
 that neither hawk^ falcon^ or falconer^ are to be 
 feen or heard of, unlefs in the northern parts of 
 the kingdom, where it is aifo nearly buried in ob- 
 livion. 
 
 FALSE QUARTER— is a defea in the hoof 
 of a horfe, originally fuflained by fome injury, 
 producing a deftru8:ion of parts; as quittor^ canker^ 
 -wounds^ treads^ hruifcs^ or fuch formation of mat^ 
 ter^ by which a part of the hoof has been unavoid- 
 ably deftroyed, or neceffarily taken away. In 
 the regeneration of parts, the incarnation (from 
 the rigid and horny nature of the hoof) is irregular 
 and imperfeft, forming a fort of cleft (or artificial 
 union) with the found part upon the furface, pro- 
 ductive of a fenfible weaknefs underneath. This 
 imperfect and defeftive jun61ion renders fuch quar-- 
 ter^ as is it called, inadequate to the weight it is def- 
 tined to bear; in which cafe, much judgment is 
 required, and may be exerted, in the palliation, as 
 pcrfeEl cure is not to be expelled. Care muft be 
 taken in forming the fiioe to relieve the tender part 
 from prefTure, by hollowing it at that particular 
 fpot, and letting the bearing be fixed entirely upon! 
 the found parts. By confiant attention in reducing 
 the prominent edges of the irregular projeftion 
 with the fine fide of the rasp, and a few occafional 
 Vol. I. R im|'regnatiof>s^ 
 
242 SPOPxTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 impregnations with fine fpermacxti oil, the hoof 
 may be fametimes reftored to its original forma- 
 tion. 
 
 FAMILY. — See Black Legs and Betting. 
 
 FARCY, — except the glanders, is the mod 
 unfortunate and deftruBive difeafe to which the 
 horfe is fubjeft. It is infe&ioiis, and may be com- 
 municated from one horfe to another, or to the 
 whole ftable, where many (land together. As it 
 frequently attacks different fubjefts in a different 
 way, (according to the Jlate and condition of the 
 horfe at the time of attack,) fo it has afforded op- 
 portunity to \hQ. fertile and ingenious to extend and 
 define it to various ki^ids of farcy, though they 
 are but different fhades and gradations of the fame 
 difeafe. 
 
 The very firfl traits of this diforder are too 
 diftinguifliing to be miflaken ; although the attack 
 may be made either one way or the other. The 
 fubjed is, in general, dtill, heavy ^ f'^SE\P^'> ^"^ 
 feemingly oppreffed with lajjitude and debility, for 
 fome days previous to any external fymptoms of 
 difeafe; in a fhort time after which, fmall purulent 
 pujlules appear, with a fort of feeming ejchar upon 
 the apex of each, running along the veins in a 
 kind of continuity, bearing no ill afhnity or re- 
 fcmblancc to a bunch of grapes a little diverfified 
 
 in 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 243 
 
 in fize. Upon any of thefe efchars^ or f cabs ^^ being 
 removed, they are followed by a thin bloody ichor 
 in fome; but in others, by a foetid, vifcid, cor- 
 rupted matter, not unlike a mixture of honey and 
 oil, when brought into all poffible incorporation. 
 
 As the diforder advances to a more inveterate 
 malignity, thefe puftules buril, the fcab or efchar 
 exfoliates, and each becomes a virulent, ill-condi- 
 tioned ulcer. In many inftances the progrefs is 
 extended with incredible rapidity ; and the larger 
 veflels, with their inferior ramifications, are fooii 
 univerfally afFefted; holding forth a very unpro- 
 mifing prediftion of early extrication. A tolerable 
 opinion may be formed of the miidnefs or threat- 
 ened feverity of the difeafe by the nature of the 
 attack : if appearances are partial, (that is, at- 
 tached to any particular fpot,) without a fpeedy 
 extenfion to different parts of the body, or its 
 extremities, the cafe may be confidered in its then 
 infantine Jlate favourable; and the proper means 
 fhould not be delayed to counteraft its farther con- 
 tamination of the blood and juices: on the con- 
 trary, fiiould a daily increafe of the eruption be 
 obferved, fpreading itfelf in various dire6lions 
 along the plate-vein, and down the inude of the 
 fore-arm, under the belly, proceeding on both 
 fides the (heath, and down the infide of each thish, 
 a cure may be conudered very S.ijlant and uncer- 
 tain; involving a doubt for prudeut deliberation, 
 R 2 whether 
 
244 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 whether the alternative of death may not be pre- 
 ferable to the chance of cure^ at an expence (if 
 effefted) very, very far exceeding the value of 
 
 THE HORSE. 
 
 Experience, and attentive obfervation, tend to 
 juftify an opinion, that when the farcy makes its 
 firft appearance, in the way defcribed, it is then of 
 the fpecies received by infeBion^ and that it has 
 lain dormant fome time in the circulation. When 
 it makes its attack upon one particular part, in a 
 previous ticmefaBion^ and fubfequent fuppuration^ 
 (extending no farther than the quarter in which it 
 originates,) it may then be conlidered a degree of 
 the fame diforder, retaining within itfelf much lefs 
 virulence than the former, and to have been pro- 
 duced by the morbid ftate of the blood, and predo^ 
 minant tendency to difeafe; holding forth a well- 
 founded profped of CURE, if the cafe happens to 
 fall into the hands of a judicious and fcientific prac- 
 titioner, who well knows the peculiar property of 
 7Yicdicine^ upon which alone the fuccefs depends. 
 
 Thofe writers who have induilrioufly divided 
 and fub-divided the farcy into fo many different dif- 
 eafes^ have not noticed a diforder (or. rather a com- 
 plication) partaking of the joint fymptoms of both 
 GLANDERS and FARCY; from which circumftance it 
 has, by the beft and mod experienced praftitioners, 
 been denominated, farcy glanders, and is, in its 
 
 attack. 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. J245 
 
 attack, progrefs, and termination, precifcly as fol- 
 lows. One or more fvvellings appear upon fome 
 part or parts of the body, where, after attaining a 
 certain fize, they become indurated^ making no far- 
 ther progrefs toward, maturation. Here nature 
 feems coiinterafted in her own efforts, and, by fome 
 inexplicable revuljion^ the head is alrnoR immedi- 
 ately and fevereiy affe6led; tumefactions appear 
 under i\\Q jaxus; the swellings increafc in various 
 parts and degrees about the eyes and mouth; a mod 
 incredible difcharge comes on from the noftrils, 
 difcoloured and offenfive beyond defcription; in 
 which ftate, bidding defiance to every interpofition 
 of art, or adminiftration of medicine, the animal 
 lingers a few days, and, if not previoufly dif- 
 patched, (as in fa 61 it ought to be,} dies a mafs of 
 complete putrefaElion. 
 
 FARRIER — is the appellation by which a per- 
 fon is known, whofe occupation it has hitherto been 
 confidered to execute the joint office of furnifhing 
 Jlioes for the protection of the feet, and the 
 body with medicine for the cure o^ difeafe. It has 
 been, from its original formation as a bufinefs, 
 the moft dangerous^ laborious^ and leaft compen- 
 fated^ trade (or profeffion) of any in the kingdom; 
 confequently none but the mofl indigent or illite- 
 rate (from the eaves of a cottage^ or the walls of a 
 'workhoufe) could be prevailed upon to undertake ^ 
 it. In proof of which, it is a well known fa61, 
 R 3 that, 
 
24^ SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 that, for a century paft, not more than one in 
 TWENTY of its pra6litioners, in either tow7i or 
 country^ has ever been enabled to leave a clear 
 twenty pounds to his family at the time of their de- 
 ceafe. Recent circumftances have, however, oc- 
 curred, to give the practice of farriery a new 
 complexion ; but, unluckily, in the extreme ; for 
 the appearance of " The Gentleman's Stable 
 Directory" a few years fince, and the fuccefs of 
 its author in his indefatigable endeavours, and 
 energetic exertions, to promote a reformation in 
 the fhamefully neglefted, erroneous^ and cruel fyf-= 
 tern of farriery, conftituted fuch a blaze of na- 
 tional emulation, that the inilitution, erctlion, and 
 eftablifhment, of a public school, has rendered 
 pra6litioners in farriery (newly ycleped " Veteri- 
 nary Surgeons'') as numerous as the necefiitous me- 
 dical adventurers in almoft every town and village 
 of the kingdom. See Veterinary College. 
 
 FARRIERY. — The art of farriery confifts 
 in the peculiar mode of difcovering one diforder 
 from another, by a difcrimination of predominant 
 fymptoms, and the adminiftration of medicine par- 
 ticularly applicable to that peculiar fpecies of 
 difeafe. It alfo comprehends and includes the 
 operations of BLEEDING, cropping, docking, nick- 
 ing, blistering, firing. Sec, as well as the cure 
 of wounds, and the long^train of ills and accidents 
 to which the horfe is incident. This art (or more 
 
 properly 
 
 I 
 
SPORTIiNG DICTIONARY. ?47 
 
 properly jcicncej now ftruggling to become re- 
 fpeQable, has hitherto continued in a Itate of the 
 mod wretched Jlerility for the rcafons fo clearly ex- 
 plained under the lad head; to which may be 
 added, the very impreffive confideration, that its 
 PROFESSORS have not been permitted to retain the 
 lead perfonal weight in the fcale of fociety ; on 
 the contrary, have been generally held in the mod 
 trifling edimation, and confequently dedined to 
 adbciate only with the lowejl and lead polidied 
 clafles of every defcription. 
 
 The degrading, dirty, and inferior offices to 
 which the manual or operative farrier mud in- 
 ceflantly become liable in the courfe of his prac- 
 tice, renders it readily to be believed, that thofe 
 whofe EDUCATION have been fufficiently liberal to 
 qualify them for a fcientific initiation in the study 
 of PHYSIC and anatomy, as well as a perfe8: know- 
 ledge of the property of medicine, cannot be 
 cxpe6led to defcend to the rcugh and laborious bu- 
 finefs of the forge, makings fitting audfetting the 
 shoes, as well as many other equally difficult and 
 hazardous operations to which the fubordinate 
 mud perpetually become fubjeSl: in the courfe of 
 his pradice. Hence it is fair to infer, that the 
 liberal education, and acquired polifh, of the ve- 
 terinary surgeon, will fo ill accord with the 
 fenfations of the shoeing or bUick fmith^ that they 
 will be found incompatible with each other-, and, 
 
 R 4 until 
 
24S SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 until a more extended idea, and generous compen^ 
 fation, is adopted by the public, to render the me- 
 dical MONITOR, (or veterinary furgeon,) and com- 
 mon Jhoeing-fmith and operative farrier^ two dif- 
 tin8: and feparate branches, the pradice of far- 
 riery and VETERINARY MEDICINE will ncvcr at- 
 tain the improvement of which it is fo clearly ca- 
 pable. 
 
 FAWN — is the young of the buck and doe, 
 called a fawn during the firft year. A fawn is fe- 
 creted by the dam in the fern^ or long grafs^ with 
 great care, during the firft weeks, and feldom ac- 
 companies the mother but by night. In royal 
 PARKS and CHACES, a certain number are annually 
 killed when fawns of about three months old, to 
 prevent the diftri6l from being overjlocked ; this 
 is generally done by coursing with greyhounds, 
 "which is moft excellent fport, the greyhounds being 
 frequently beat. 
 
 FEATHER.-— The centrical divifion, and dif- 
 ferent directions, of the'^furrounding hair in a 
 * horfe's forehead is fo called : they are alfo fre- 
 quently feen upon the neck on one or both fides 
 the mane, and fometimes upon the hind quarters, 
 and are confidered natural ornaments : their fimi- 
 litude to a feather of the firft plumage has given 
 them this appellation. 
 
 FEATHER 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 249^ 
 
 FEATHER WEIGHT, — in the sporting 
 WORLD, Tignifies the lighted weight that can be 
 put upon the back of a horse, in whatever match 
 he may be engaged, and totally depends upon the 
 will of the owner; who is not under the neceffity 
 of bringing his rider to tht fcale cither before or 
 after the race, in an engagement where " feather 
 weight" is particularly exprefled. On the con- 
 trary, when a liorfe runs for any plate, match, 
 SWEEPSTAKES, or SUBSCRIPTION, at a fxed zveight^ 
 according to his age, heighth, or qualification, 
 his RIDER mud be publicly weighed upon the 
 cowx {q previous to ftarting ; and at the termina- 
 tion of every heat^ if the rider dif mounts before his 
 horfe is led up to the scales, (generally affixed to 
 the ftarting-poft,) or when there, not weighing his 
 proper weight, the horse is deemed diflanced^ and 
 can ftart no more for the prize in queftion. 
 
 FEEDER — is one cflential part of a hunting 
 ESTABLISHMENT, bearing no ill affinity to the heU 
 lozvs-blozuer of an organist; for if the hounds 
 are not well and properly fed, they can never be 
 adequate to the fatigues and difficulties they have 
 to go through. To the feeder is fubmitted the 
 management of the hounds in kennel; but he is 
 always fubjeft to the occafional dire61ions of the 
 huntsman, whofe inmiediate fubordinate he is, 
 and whofe dilation he muft implicitly obey. He 
 fhould not only be youngs indcfatigahk^ and alcrt^ 
 
 but 
 
250 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 but fond of his employment ; as v/ell as humane and 
 good temper td.) for the comfort of the poor animals 
 entrufted to his care, who have not the power to 
 expoRulate when ill ufed^ or to remonftrate if their j| 
 grievances Hand in need of redrefs. 
 
 The department of the feeder is of more 
 magnitude than may at firfl fight be believed. It 
 is his particular bulinefs to keep the kennel fweet 
 and clean^ and to execute this part of his truil at 
 ftated and invariable periods. To hoil^ prepare^ i 
 and mix the different kinds of provihon for the I 
 HOUNDS, according to the regulations of the efta- I 
 blifhment to which he belongs. When difengaged 
 from the concerns of the kennel, he is expefted to 
 affift in the fLables ; as well as to exercife and drefs 
 the fpare horfes of the huntsman and whipper- 
 in, on hunting days when they are abfent. In ex- 
 tenfive concerns, and large packs, tvv^o are required 
 TO FEED, in which cafe the huntsman (as is mofl 
 proper) always renders affiftance, 
 
 FEET.— The feet of horses being the very 
 bafis of fupport upon which the fafety and expe- 
 dition of the frame entirely depend, they are en- 
 titled to every poITible degree of care and atten- 
 tion ; more particularly in the winter season, 
 -when, from neglell^ fo many ills and inconvenien- 
 cies are known to arife. The injuries, accidents, 
 and difeafesj to which the feet are conftantly 
 
 liable. 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 251 
 
 liable, confifl of cracks in the hcels^ scratches or 
 lacerations,^ stubs and bruifes of the cuter fole^ or 
 upon the verge of the coronet^ between hair and 
 hoof, corns, sandcracks, thrushes, canker, quit- 
 tor, RINGBONE, and foot-founder ; exclufive of 
 the frequent injuries fuftained in shoeing, by the 
 ignorance, indolence, or ohjlinacy of thofe smiths 
 who, having no profeihonal reputation to fupport, 
 are too innately confident in ihtuown ability to bear 
 inftrudion. 
 
 As the defects thus enumerated will be found 
 individually enlarged upon under diftinft and fe- 
 parate heads, it becomes only neceffary here to lay- 
 down fuch general ruks for the regular manage- 
 ment of the feet, as may (properly attended to) 
 prove the means of prudent prevention; not more 
 in refped to the trouble and expence of disease, 
 than of the moll mortifying and repentant anxiety, 
 Thefe defe6ts and difquietudes are feldom found 
 but in the ftables where the master rarely or ever 
 condefcends to obtrude his person and commands 
 upon the tenacious dignity of a felf-important 
 groom; the perfevering induftry of whofe careful 
 endeavours, and the pliability and elafticity of 
 whofe joints, if properly exerted, would prove the 
 truell and mod infallihle preventives to swelled 
 LEGS and cracked heels, in preference to all the 
 nojlrums ever yet brought into private practice or 
 public ufe. And thofe who unfortunately en- 
 3 -counter 
 
£52 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 counter thefe ills, may generally, and with juftice, 
 attribute them much more to the conjlitutional 
 tardinefs of the profejfed groom (or occafionai 
 ftrapper) than any defe8: in the conftitution of the 
 horle. 
 
 The FEET of different horses vary exceedingly 
 in what may be termed the tcxtwe or property of 
 the hoof; and this is, in general, regulated by the 
 colour of the legs and feet. There are few 
 horfes with white heels, but what have tohite hoofs, 
 alfo, and thefe are always more liable to, and fu- 
 fceptible of, defects and weakness, than thofe 
 of an oppofite defcription. The found, firm, 
 dark-coloured-hoof, of the bay, brown, or black 
 horfe, is feldom found defeBive ; but thofe of other 
 coloured horfes are the moft fubjeB: to weak, thin 
 foles, difplaying a prominence on each fide the 
 frog, occafioned by a too feeble and inadequate 
 refiilance to the force of the membraneous mafs 
 within ; feet of which defcription are alfo fre- 
 quently found to have the correfponding conco- 
 mitant of a brittle hoof, the edges of which are in- 
 cclTantly fplitting, and throwing out a conftant 
 threatening of sandcracks, with the additional mor- 
 tification of being fubjeB: to inveterate thrushes, 
 or an ahnoli conftantly difeafed or putrefied itate 
 of the frog. 
 
 Feet, 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 2o3 
 
 Feet, fo exceedingly different in the nature 
 of their conftrutlion, mull certainly require as 
 different a mode of treatment, according to fuch cir-^ 
 cumRances as happen to exilt. To preferve feet 
 perfedly found, and free from the ills to which 
 they are fubjeft, cleanlinefs is the leading ftep. 
 After exercife or ufe, fo foon as the body is dreft, 
 the dirt or gravel fliould be carefully taken from 
 under the fhoes with a picker, the feet well waflied, 
 the legs and heels rubbed dry, the bottom flopped 
 with cow dung^ and the hoofs oiled with a brufh 
 impregnated with sperm a c.sti oil. -Horfes left 
 with tuet legs and heels^ after a fevere chace, or 
 long journey, particularly in fharp eaflerly winds, 
 or during frost and snow, conftitute cracks or 
 Jcratches to a certainty. So fevere a rigidity is oc- 
 cafioned in the very texture of the integument, 
 that it becomes partially ruptured or broken in 
 various places, upon being brought into expedi- 
 tious a6lion ; which, v/ith the friciion and irritation 
 then occafioned by the iliarp particles of gravel in 
 dirty roads, foon produce lacerations of the mofl 
 painful defcription. 
 
 The ftate of the shoes fliOuld be conflantly at- 
 tended to. Permitted to continue too long upon 
 the FEET, the growth of the hoof brings the fhoe 
 forward, rendering it too fhort at the heel^ when 
 it begins to indent, and finking upon ih^ foot, foon 
 preffes upon the outer f ok ^ conftituting pain or dif- 
 
 quietude 
 5 
 
254 SPORTING DICTIONARY^ 
 
 quietude in fome horfes, and laying the foundation: 
 of CORNS in others. Horfes, in moderate workj 
 require new shoes once a month upon an average, 
 never varying more than two or three days from 
 that time : indeed, it is not right they fhould go 
 longer. The penurious plan of removing fhoes 
 half worn is truly ridiculous ; the}^ never render 
 fervice adequate to the expence, and the praftice Jj 
 only tends to a more frequent deflruftion of the ^ 
 hoof. Thrushes fhould be counteraQed upon 
 their firfl appearance, without being permitted to 
 acquire a corroding virulence. Swelled Legs are 
 hardly ever feen in Itables where a proper courfe 
 of difcipline, and regular routine of bufinefs, is ob- 
 ferved; they proceed from a vifced, fizey ftate of 
 the blood, a languor in the circulation, a want of 
 exercife out of the ftable, or a fufficiency of fric- 
 tion, leg-rubbing, care, and attention within. Se< 
 Grease. 
 
 FERN — is a a plant abounding plentifully in 
 CHACEs, BEECHEN WOODS, aud COMMONS, and is a| 
 feeming diminutive refemblance of our native bul- 
 wark the hardy oak, not more in the fimilitude oi 
 its growth, than its appropriation to various pur- 
 pofes of utility. It not only conftitutes excellentj 
 bedding for cattle in the w^inter, but has been con- 
 fidered fo inftrumental to the preservation oi 
 GAME, that laws have been framed to prevent its 
 being wantonly dellroyed, or unfeafonably per- 
 
 verted, 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 9,55 
 
 verted, to the intercfted purpofcs of private indi- 
 viduals. 
 
 '^ Any perfon who fhall unlawfully fet fire to^ 
 hum, or dejlroy, or alTift in fo doing, any gofs^ 
 furze, or fern, upon any forest or chase within 
 England, he fhall, on the oath of one witnefs be- 
 fore a justice of the peace, forfeit a fum not ex- 
 ceeding 5I. nor lefs than 40s. one moiety to the in- 
 former, the other to the poor of the parifh. The 
 fame to be levied by diftrefs; in want of which, 
 the offender to be committed to the houfe of cor- 
 re6lion, or county gaol, for a time not longer than 
 three months, nor lefs than one." In addition to 
 which aft, there are other manorial rights and 
 local cuftoms, refpefting fern upon wafles and 
 commons, reftraining thofe who have right of com- 
 mon (or other privileges) from cutting fern before 
 holyrood day in every year, 
 
 FERRET — isaufeful little animal, well known 
 to warren ERS and rat-catchers, by whom they 
 are principally bred, as necelfary to their own oc- 
 cupations. The ferret is of great fpirit, ftrength, 
 and courage, for its lize ; is an inveterate enemy 
 to rabbits, rats, and poultry ; in the purfuit of 
 which, it will encounter any difficulty or danger, 
 when once put upon tlie fcent. The body is longer 
 in proportion to its height, than aimoft any other 
 animal, the weazel and Jloat excepted. The co- 
 lour 
 
256 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 lour frequently varies, even in the young of the 
 fame d;im and the fame litter ; fome being black, 
 with white under the belly ; fome are of a faint 
 firaw>colour yellow, and others of a light fandy 
 red. The head is, in its formation, not unlike the 
 moufe ; the eyes are fmall, fiery, having the ap- 
 pearance of red-hot iron, and can confequently 
 diilinguifii obje6ls in the dark. It has a natural 
 and inftinQive propenfity to burrowing^ and where- 
 ever the head can enter^ the reft of the body can 
 eafily follow. Whenever the ferret has fecured 
 qhe prey he is in purfuit of, he extra6ls the blood 
 with extreme pleafure hy fucli on ^ but is totally in- 
 different to the Jlejli ; with the exception of the 
 head of either rabbit or rat, the fkull of which 
 he direftly deftroys with his teeth, the better to 
 enjoy an inftantaneous and luxurious fcaji upon 
 the brains. 
 
 The FERRET ufually produces five or fix young 
 at each litter, after a geftation o^ forty days : the 
 offspring continue blind for thirty days^ and copu- 
 late in fix weeks after they can fee. They are not 
 ravenous, (except in purfuit of their prey, after 
 having been long fafted;) are eafily fupported upon 
 bread, milk, and fimilar trifles, enabled by nature 
 to exift a long time without food, which is in fome 
 degree compenfated for by their great enjoyment 
 oF fleep. When ufed in warrens, they are hunted 
 with muzzles^ that they may alarm the rabbits, 
 
 and 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 257 
 
 and drive them from their burrows to the ncts^ 
 without having the power to injure them; for if 
 they were enabled to feize them under ground^ 
 they could never be prevailed upon to leave the 
 earths. 
 
 FETLOCK.— The part fo called is the next 
 joint below the knee, and is formed by the union 
 of the fliank-bone, at its bottom^ with the upper part 
 of the fmall bone pafling from this jundion to the 
 coronary bone at its top. The tendons (com- 
 monly called the back Jinews) have their lower feat 
 of infertion at this joint, which is conftantly liable 
 to, and frequently fufceptible of, the mod ferious 
 LAMENESS. As injurics of this joint are fometimes 
 incurable, particularly when occafioned by a twifl 
 or ligamentary diftortion, one precaution may be 
 prudently retained in memory ; that more horfes 
 are lamed by Jliort^ fuddtn^ and unnatural turns in 
 the narrow Jl alls of an ill-conftrucled stable, (par- 
 ticularly in the Metropolis,) than by any flrait- 
 forward means whatever. Tendinous lameness 
 has a much greater chance of early relief, and per- 
 manent cure, than an injury fuftained at iht junBion 
 of the bones ; for the relaxed tendons being reftored 
 to their original elafticity by corroborative sti- 
 mulants, blistering, or firing, frequently con- 
 tinue found during the exiftence of the horfe : on 
 the contrary, a ligamentary lameness, however 
 Vol. I. S h 
 
25S SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 it may be relieved, or apparently reftored, is al- 
 ways more fubjetl to a relapfe or I'epetition. 
 
 FEVER, — HORSES are fubjed to, and fre- 
 quently attacked with, originating in variou3 
 caufes, and afting upon different conflitutions in 
 a different way. Judicious difcrimination fhould 
 be made between what is (ab origne) a fever 
 within itfelf, and fymptomatic fever, dependent 
 upon, and arifing from, another caufe. Extreme 
 pain may produce fever, as in \3L\'gt formations of 
 matter^ where tumours approach gradually to fup- 
 puration. Fever may become attendant upon in- 
 flainmatory cholic^ or upon a fevere fit of thtjlran- 
 gury, or fpafmodic affection of the kidnies. In all 
 INFLAMMATIONS of thc LUNGS, the fcvcT cxcceds dC" 
 fcription ; butthefe fevers are called symptomatic, 
 as being a concomitant, or diftinguifhing trait, of thc 
 DISEASE upon which it is founded^ rather than a 
 difeafe within itfelf. 
 
 The predominant fymptoms of fever are, an 
 agitated laffitudc and debility of the whole frame, 
 with evident difquietude in every pofition ; quick 
 and ftrong pulfation; mouth parched and dry^ 
 with a burning heat to the fingers, when placed 
 under the tongue; breath of a flefhy offenfivc 
 fmell; the eyes red, inflamed and prominent, as 
 if propelled by internal inflammation; heaving 
 
 . more 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. Q59 
 
 more or lejs in the flanks, according to the mild- 
 nefs or feverity of the cafe. Frequent attempts 
 are made to stale ; the urine is very red in colour, 
 and comes away in fmall quantities : the dung is 
 generally hard, voided in fingle or double globules, 
 to each of which adheres a vifcid Jlime^ indicative 
 of much internal foulnefs amidft the interftices of 
 the inteftinal canal. Lofs of appetite, difficulty of 
 refpiration, a refufal of food, and impatient third 
 for water, are amongft the moft invariable diag- 
 nojlics oljever-, and as thefe fymptoms are more or 
 lejs violent, may be eftimated the feverity and 
 
 DANGER of DISEASE. 
 
 FIDGET, — the name of a horfe of much cele- 
 brity, who won as many capital flakes as moft' 
 horfes of his time. He was bred by Mr. Vernon; 
 was got by Florizel; dam by Matchem^ out of an 
 own fifter to Sweetbriar, In the poffefTion of the 
 Duke of Bedford, he became a ftallion at Woo- 
 burn, and was the fire of Aiignjia^ Cub^ ViElor^ 
 Frijky^ Hamadryad^ Neftler, Fantail^ Zemifc^ Grana- 
 dilla^ Lady Sarah^ St, Vitus', all winners; as well 
 as a great number of colts and fillies, who won 
 large ftakes at three and four years old, but ran 
 without a name. 
 
 FIGGING— -is the fublime art of infmuating a 
 profufion of faJfe fpirit, and ariijicial fire^ into a 
 Wrfe, when offering him for fale. This is done 
 
 S 2 by 
 
260 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 by privately introducing a piece of ginger (pre- 
 vioufly bitten) within the JphinBer of the anuSi 
 where, by its painful ftimulus, it fo irritates the 
 animal, tha-t he feems, by the cocking of his tail, 
 the inftantaneous erection of his ears, and the de^ 
 ceptive fpirit he difplays in aftion, to be a horfe of 
 very fuperior appearance and value to what he 
 turns out when the Jlimulus of this deception has 
 fubfided* 
 
 FILLETS-^are, in more intelligible language, 
 the LOINS of a horse, and feated above the flank, 
 beyond the lad rib, and in a tranfverfe line with 
 the hip-bone. A horfe long in the back, narrow 
 acrofs the loins, and tucked up (greyhound like) in 
 the carcafe, is faid to be badly made in the fillets, 
 or, in other words, weak in the loins* 
 
 FILLY, — the female produce of a horse and 
 MARE : file is called a filly foal the Jirjl year ; a 
 YEARLING the /econ^; and a filly \\\\ Jour years 
 old. 
 
 FILM — appertains to a certain defect, and 
 properly ufed, applies only to a thickening of the 
 outer coat or humour of the eye; in which cafe 
 relief from external applications may very fre- 
 quently be obtained : but where any of the internal 
 coverings are become opaque, (and fometimes er- 
 
 roneoufly 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 261 
 
 roneoufly called films,) fuecefs from topical experi- 
 ments mud not be expeQed. 
 
 FIRETAIL — was a name given to three famous 
 running horfes in fuccelfion ; the firft got by 
 Childers, the fecond by S(jicirr€l^ and ihe third by 
 Eclipfe, 
 
 FIRING — is an operation performed upon dif- 
 ferent parts of A HORSE for the promotion of any 
 particular purpofe, (according to the degree of in- 
 jury fuftained,) and in the following way. The 
 horfe being fafely fecured by twitches and cords^ 
 according to the methods in general ufe, the opera- 
 tor having his iy'ons in the fire properly heated, 
 and his attendant ready to fupply him with another, 
 as often as the fire of the previous iron is ex- 
 haufted, he proceeds with the edge of the red-hot 
 iron to make longitudinal and tranfverfe (irokes in 
 fucceffion, over the whole part where injury has 
 been fuftained, and to fuch extent as circumftances 
 may have rendered necefTary ; the depth and mag- 
 nitude of the operation depending upon the feverity 
 of the injury, and the length of time fince it was 
 fuftained. Firing is frequently adopted in Jlrains 
 of the hackfinews^ where the fubjeO: is faid to have 
 broken down ; likewifc for bone and blood spavins, 
 CURBS, SPLENTS, and partially to prevent a renewal 
 or repetition of SAND-CRACKs, as well as for ring- 
 bones, and LAMENESS in the round-bone : in the two 
 
 S 3 laft, 
 
^52 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 laft, however, it has hardly ever been known of the 
 leaft utility. 
 
 FIRING-IRON, — the inftrument with which 
 the OPERATION of FIRING js performed. It is a piece 
 of iron about fifteen inches long, with a ftem ter- 
 minating in a wooden handle at one end, having a 
 blade of three inches long, and two wide, at the 
 other. This blade is forged flat, and is at the back 
 half an inch in thicknefs, becoming gradually 
 thinner towards the edge^ which is not more than 
 one third what it is at the back. They are formed 
 of different dimenfions for different occafions, and 
 three ox four are kept in the fire, and ufed to expe- 
 dite the operation, where it is carefully and ex- 
 pertly performed. 
 
 FISH. — -Reafons are adduced under the head 
 ^' Angling," why it has been thought unneceffary 
 to enter upon fo copious a fubjed in a work of 
 this kind; but as fish, fish ponds, and fisheries, 
 have been found repeatedly worthy the attention of 
 the legiflature, for the prefervation of property 
 and PERSONAL rights, a concife abflrad of the 
 LAWS, as they now fland, refpeding thofe rights, 
 will conflitute the whole that can be required, or 
 thought neceffary, upon this fubjeft. 
 
 By the 5th Eliz. c. xxi. f. 2, it is provided. That 
 if any perfon fhall unlawfully break or destroy 
 
 any 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY- 
 
 9,63 
 
 any head or dam of a risii pond, or fliall wrong- 
 fully fifh therein, with intent to take or kill fijh^ he 
 fhall, on conviftion at the assizes or feflions, at 
 the fuit of the King, or the party injured, be impri- 
 foned three months^ and pay treble damages ; and 
 after the expiration of the faid three months, fhall 
 find fureties for good behaviour for seven years 
 to come. 
 
 By 31ft Henry Eighth, c. ii. f. 2, If any evil- 
 difpofed perfons fhall fifli in the day-time, from fix 
 in the morning till fix in the evening, in any 
 PONDS, STEWS, or MOATS, with luts, hooks^ or 
 hait^ againft the will of the owners, they (hall, on 
 convi6lion thereof, at the fuit of the King, or the 
 party aggrieved, fuffer imprifonment for the fpace 
 pf three months, aiid find fecurity for their good 
 behaviour. 
 
 By 22d and 23d Charles Second, c. xxv. f. 7, 
 it is enacted, T\\2X\^ any perfon fhall, at anytime^ 
 ufe any cajling-net^ drag-net^ Jhovc-net, ox other net 
 whatever ; or any angle, hair, noofe^ troll, ox f pear ; 
 or fliall lay any wearSy pots, nets^ fiJJi-hooks, or other 
 engines ; or fhall take any fifh by any means what- 
 Joever^ in any river, stev/, moat, pond, or other 
 water, or JJiall be aiding thereunto, without the 
 confent of the owner of the water, and be con- 
 victed thereof before a justice, by confefTion, or 
 the OATH of one witnefs, within one month after the 
 S 4 offence 
 
254 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 offence committed, fuch offender fhall give to the 
 party injured fach fatisfaftion as the justice fhall 
 appoint, not exceeding treble damages ; and fhall, 
 over and above, pay down prefently unto the 
 OVERSEERS of the POOR, fuch fum, not exceeding 
 105, as the justice fhall think fit : and in default of 
 payment^ the faid penalties to be levied by dist 
 tress; and for want thereof, the offender to be 
 committed to the houfe of correElion^ for a term not 
 exceeding one months unlefs the party offending 
 enter into bond, with furety, to the party injured, 
 in a fum not exceeding lo/. never to offend in like 
 manner. 
 
 Justices are alfo authorized to take^ cut in pieces,^ 
 and deflroy, all fuch articles as before recited and 
 adapted to the taking of fifli, as may be found in 
 the poffeffion of offenders when taken. Perfons 
 aggrieved may appeal to the quarter sessions, 
 whofe judgment fliall be final. Although this 
 power is veiled in a magistrate, yet the owner of 
 the water, or fifiery^ cannot juftify fuch a mea- 
 fure, but can only take them damage feafant^ as is 
 particularly expreffedin various claufes of different 
 a8;s of Parliament upon this fubjeft. And by the 
 4th and 5th William and Mary, it is enacted, 
 That no perfon (except makers and fellers of nets, 
 owners of a river or fiftiery, authorized fifhermen, 
 and their apprentices) fhall keep any net, angle, 
 leap, pike, or other engine for taking of fish. 
 
 The 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. QGS 
 
 The proprietor of any river or fifhery, or per- 
 fons by them authorized, may feize, and keep to 
 his own ufe, any engine which fliall be found in 
 the cuftody of any perfon fifhing in any river or 
 Jijhery^ without the consent of the owner or oc- 
 cupier. And fuch owner, occupier, or perfon, 
 authorized by either^ fanftioned by the confent of 
 any justice, in the day-time, may fearch the 
 houfes, or other places, of any perfon prohibited 
 to keep the fame, who fhall be fufpefted to have 
 fuch nets, or other engines, in his poffelTion, and 
 the fame to feize, and keep to their own ufe, or 
 cut in pieces and dejlroy. 
 
 By the 5th George Third, c. xiv. f. i, it is 
 cnafted. That if any perfon fliall enter into any 
 PARK or PADDOCK iuclofcd, or enter into any gar- 
 den^ orchard^ or yard^ belonging to, or adjoining 
 to, any dwelling-houfe, wherein fhall be any river^ 
 fond^ moatj or other water^ and, by any means 
 whatfoever, (without the confent of the owner,) 
 Jieal^ kill^ or dejlroy^ any fish, bred, kept, or 
 preferved therein, or fliall be aflifl:ing therein, or 
 fhall receive or buy any fuch fifli, knowing them to 
 be fuch, fhall, upon conviction, be tranfported for 
 Jeven years, Perfons making confejfion of fuch of- 
 fence, and giving evidence againft an accomplice, 
 who, in purfuance thereof, fliall be convifted, 
 will be entitled to a free pardon. 
 
 And 
 
266 SfORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 And by the fame A61, f. 3, it is enafted, That if 
 any perfon {hall take, kill, or deftroy, or attempt 
 to take, kill, or dellroy, any fifh in any river or 
 Jlream, pool^ pond^ or olher water^ (not being in any 
 park or paddock enclofed, or in any garden, orchard, 
 or yard, bejbnging or adjoining to a dwelling- 
 houfe, but in any other CDciofed ground, being 
 private property J fuch perfon, being thereof con- 
 vitted by confeffion, or the oath of one witnefs be- 
 fore a JUSTICE, ihall ^or^tii five pounds to the owner 
 of the fifliery of fuch river or other water; and in 
 default thereof, fhall be comniitted to the houfe of 
 eorre6lion for a time not exceedingT^^ months. 
 
 Stealing fish in difguife is made felony by 
 the 9th George the Firft, c. xxii. If any perfon 
 armed and difguifed, fhall unlawfully y?(S^/, or take 
 aivay^ any fish, out of any river, or pond, or 
 (whether armed or not) fl:iall unlawfully and maii- 
 tioufly break down the head or mound of any fish- 
 pond, whereby the fifh Diall be lojl and dejlroyed^ 
 or fhall refcue any perfon in cuftody for any fuch 
 offence, or procure any other to join him therein, 
 he fhall be guilty of fei^ony, without henejit of 
 tlergy. 
 
 FISTULA. — Any ulcer having a sinus or pipe 
 of uncertain termination,, the infide of which has 
 acquired callofity^ and from whence a matter or 
 bloody fanies flows, or may be preffed out, is 
 
 oalled 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 267 
 
 called a fistula. In its more immediate applica- 
 tion, it appertains principally to the injury fuitained 
 upon the withers of horses; pinched by the fad- 
 die^ or bruifed by the harnefs ; in long and fevere 
 chafes or journies with one^^ or long continued 
 weight and friftion with the other, A repetition of 
 the jirjl caufe generally lays the foundation of 
 great trouble; fome expence, and no fmall fliare 
 of anxiety : attended to upon the Jirji injury^ the 
 inflammation frequently fubmits (and fo7tietimes 
 fpeedily) to the mildeft clafs of repellents : a fo- 
 mentation of hot vinegar twice or thrice,^ for ten 
 minutes each time, or a few applications of ftrong 
 VEGETO MINERAL, incorporated with a proportion 
 of camphorated fpirits, will generally prevent any 
 farther caufe of difquietude. 
 
 There is no one difeafe^ or injury^ to which the 
 HORSE is incident, more perplexing to the vulca- 
 NiANs of the old fchooL or veterinarians of the 
 new^ than a fistula; the formation and procefs 
 of which is precifely thus. A repetition of the 
 bruife and friction, or painful prefTure upon the 
 whither, having excited inflammation, nature 
 makes an effort in her own favour; tumefaction or 
 fwelling enfues, and fuppuration follows of courfe. 
 From the bony ftruBure of this particular part, a 
 copious fecretion of matter is in the firfl: infl:ance 
 never obtained, or, indeed, to be expe6ted. From 
 ^e great difficulty of fccuring poultices fo as to re- 
 tain 
 
258 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 tain their fituation, the progress of maturation 
 is always tardy, and ultimately both partial and 
 imperfeft : the aperture, if felf-made^ is always 
 exceedingly fmall, from which may be immediately 
 traced with the probe, one or more pipes or sinusses 
 in different direclions, becoming more and more 
 callous internally, according to the length of their 
 {landing, or the injudicioi^s mode in which they 
 may have been treated. 
 
 Various modes of treatment, and different di-r 
 re6lions for a certainty of cure, have been laid 
 down by fucceflive writers upon farriery, and 
 frequently with little fuccefs. Theory, it muft be 
 admitted, is one thing; the execution in practice 
 is another. The volume of experience opens to 
 the mind of rumination, and profeffional emula- 
 tion, a new page every day ; that page now de- 
 monflrates the JaB, that the moft inveterate and 
 long-ftanding fistula is to be firmly and infallibly 
 cured, and the parts perfe6lly reflored, by a mode 
 eafy in execution, and invariable in effe6l. Let a 
 filver probe be paffed in every poflible direction, 
 that the sinusses may be precifely afcertained; 
 this done, let the probe be properly armed wnth 
 tint^ then plentifully impregnated with butter of 
 antimony, and carefully introduced in fuch ftate 
 into each diJlinB finits, (whichever way they divide 
 or ramify;) when there, give the probe a turn, that 
 every part may be equally affcBed; artificial in- 
 flammation 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. Q69 
 
 flammation will fucceed, the internal callosity 
 will be dejlroyed^ and flough ofF in a few days from 
 the found parts. The vacuum may then be cleanfed 
 with equal parts of friar's balsam, and tincture 
 of myrrh, by a long-necked fyringe, once in three 
 or four days; and the wound being daily dreffed 
 with the precipitate digeflive ointment^ infinuated 
 with lint rolled round the prohe^ and when pro- 
 perly infer^d, flipt off with the force of the finger 
 and thumb into the wound, and covered with a 
 {licking plaifter to keep it firm, incarnation will 
 be gradually promoted, and complete cure cer- 
 tainly foHow. 
 
 FLANK OF a horse— is the part lying be- 
 tween the laft RIB and the hind quarter, reaching 
 from the part of the loins neareft the hip-hone^ to 
 the bottom of the belly neareft the stifle. If a 
 horfe is well ribbed up, his flank not hollow^ but 
 circularly prominent, and his back short, he is 
 then called a " good barrelled horfe," and is very 
 feldom deficient in other refpeCls which conftitute 
 attraction. 
 
 FLEAM, the well-known inftrument ufed for 
 bleeding horses. Lancets are preferred by fome 
 with thin-Jkinned and blood-horfes. Different kinds 
 of spring-fleams have been invented alfo; but no 
 one has been produced of fufficient merit or utility 
 to entirely fuperfedc the eftablifhed caftom. 
 
 FLESHY- 
 
S/Q SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 FLESHY-FOOTED.— A horfe is faid to be 
 FLESHY FOOTED, whcii that part of the bottom of the 
 foot on each fide the frog (called the outer sole)^ 
 is preternaturally prominent, conflituting a con- 
 vexity above the wall or crufl of the hoof, where 
 the flioe fhoiild have its proper bearing upon the 
 foot of the horse. In feet of this defcription, 
 the outer fole, from repeated bruifmg and batter- 
 ing in conftant work upon hard roads, or from an 
 injudicious and deftru6live paring away with the 
 butteris, are fo exceeding thin as to indent with 
 the flightefl impreffion, and being too weak to re- 
 fift the membranous expanfion within, compulfively 
 fubmit to the internal propulfion, and are thrown 
 into the projecting form already defcribed. Great 
 care is required in flioeing horfes with this defed t 
 the inner part of the web of the fhoe fhould be fo 
 completely hollowed as not to admit the lead 
 chance of bearing upon the prominent part; if it 
 does, tendernefs and difquietude (if not lamenefs) 
 muft inevitably enfue. In cafes of this kind, nei- 
 ther the butteris or drawing-knife^ fhould be per- 
 mitted in hand; they only render the remedy 
 worfe than the disease. 
 
 FLORIZEL — was a horfe of much celebrity 
 upon the turf, beating moft horfes of his time ; 
 and was afterwards a ftallion in great repute for 
 many years. He was got by Herod, dam by Cyg- 
 net ; bred by Mr. C. Blake, and foaled in I768. 
 1 He 
 
iPORTING DICTIONARY. Sf7l 
 
 He was the fire of Berwick, Crook/Iianks^ Diomed^ 
 King William^ Experiment^ Fox^ UlyJJes^ Bujller^ 
 Dajli^ Fidgety Fortunio^ Hope^ Lee Boo^ May Fly, 
 Moufe, Mulberry, Nimble^ Pig, Prizefighter^ Tongs^ 
 Hope, Spendthrift, Tick, Tickle^ Wonder, Brother 
 to Fidget, (v^ho won 2000 guineas in 1791,) Eager^ 
 Hopeful^ Li input, Namelefs, Quick, Terror, Tar- 
 tar, Hennia, ^nd William ; all winners; excUifivc 
 of others too numerous to recite* 
 
 FOAL — is the produce of horse and mare in a 
 general fenfe, including both male and female ; 
 but when a more particular defcription is required, 
 it is cultomary to fay either a colt, or a filly 
 foal. 
 
 FOAM. — See froth. 
 
 FODDER. — The winter provender for horses 
 and CATTLE is fo called, and confifts of barley and 
 oatjlraw, peas haum, the (hort rakings of the barn- 
 floor after threfhing the corn, and precious to 
 cleaning it; all which, with good flielter in the 
 mod fevere and dreary part of the feafon, confti- 
 tute no z7/ accommodation; particularly thofe farm- 
 yards in the country that are v/ell managed, from 
 whence horses, after a winter's run, frequently 
 come up FIRM in flesh, and not v^xy foul in con- 
 dition. On the contrary, thofe who are advocates 
 for the STRAW-YARDS within ten or fifteen miles of 
 
 the 
 
272 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 the METROPOLIS, had better cut the throats of their 
 HORSES than make the experiment : they barely exift 
 in a ftate of wretched ftarvation, are brought up in 
 the- months of April and May objeds of dreadful 
 emaciation, and commonly occaiion more expence 
 to generate flefh, and render them fit for ufe, than 
 they are afterwards worth. An infufficiency of 
 fw^eet, good, and healthy fodder^ or even a pro* 
 fuiion of fiinking cats ^ ov mujly hay^ will inevitably 
 impoverifli the blood, and lay the foundation of 
 surfeit, mange, farcy, and other diforders. 
 
 FOIL,— a term ufed in hare hunting* When^ 
 during the chafe, a hare, after a head or double^ 
 runs over the ground fhe has ran before^ flie is then 
 faid to be running the foil^ and with ftrid truth, 
 for nothing can fo yxwichfoil the hounds as a chafe 
 of this defcription. Old hares, who have fpeed 
 enough to break away, and get confiderably a-head, 
 almoft invariably throw themfelves out to the right 
 or left^ double^ and quat; particularly if a hedge- 
 row^ hedge, Jern^ Jurze^ or any kind of covert 
 prefents itfelf favourably for the purpofe. The 
 hounds continuing to run the fcent to the fpot 
 where fhe made her head, over -run the hare^ and 
 having no continuance of fcent, are of courfe at 
 fault ; during which delay of trying forward^ frying 
 back, making a cafl to the right, then a caf]; to the 
 left, the hare flips into her foil; by repeatedly 
 running of which with the fame inflinQive fagacity, 
 
S^OllTlNG DICTIONARY. Q?5 
 
 fhe as repeatedly faves her life ; without which^ 
 and many fimilar innate JJi if ts to avoid their nu- 
 merous enemies, there would not long be a hare 
 left in the country^ 
 
 FOLDING-NET;— See Bat Fowling. 
 
 FOMENTATION-^is, perhaps, the moft ge- 
 nerally ufeful of all external applications in a great 
 variety of cafes, and cannot of courfe be too well 
 known, or too much encouraged. It is a procefs 
 but little prefcribed or praBifed by farriers or 
 veterinarians; either "becaufe its efficacious pro- 
 perty is very little known ; or the perfevering pa- 
 tience required in the a8:, is too great for conjlitu- 
 tional indolence. In all inflammatory tumours and 
 enlargevients arifing from strains, blows, bruises^ 
 and various other injuries, the efficacy of hot and 
 perfevering fomentation can only be known to 
 thofe who have repeatedly experienced its falutary 
 cffiscls. In faft, its properties are two/old^ in as 
 much as it affifts nature in whichever is her moft 
 predominant effort^ either for ahforption or fuppu- 
 ration. 
 
 Fomentations are prepared by boiling three or 
 four double handsful of the different kinds of aro- 
 matic garden herbs in fix quarts or two gallons of 
 water, occafionally ftirringthem for a quarter of an 
 hour; then let the part affefted be patiently fo- « 
 
 Vol, L T mentid 
 
274- SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 ^fENTED with fponges or Jlannch^ alternately dipped 
 in the decoction, as hot as it can be confiftently 
 ufed without injury to the hair. If the tumour, 
 or enlargement, docs not ihxtdiitn fuppuration^ the 
 abfarption may be aflifted by a gentle perfevering 
 friQion in hand-ruhhing^ previous to the application 
 of fuch REPELLENT as may be thought applicable to 
 the cafe : on the contrary, fhould a formation of 
 matter have evidently taken place, the intention of 
 nature cannot be too expeditioufly promoted; ai> 
 EMOLLIENT POULTICE fhould injlantly follow the 
 FOMENTATION, and both be repeated onct or twice., 
 a-day, according to the magnitude of the emer- 
 gency. 
 
 The herbs chiefly in ufe for fomentations (and 
 from which any three or four may be felefted) are 
 Roman and common wormwood, mallows and 
 
 MARSHMALLOWS, LAVENDER IcaVCS and floWCrS, 
 
 Rosemary leaves^ cammomile flowers, Elder 
 flowers, and Bay leaves. Thefe are articles not 
 always to be readily obtained; and as they are ift 
 all HUNTING eftablifliments likely to be wanted upoa 
 the moft fudden emergencies, gentlemen in the 
 country will find the convenience of giving orders 
 for an annual fupply to be provided, and properly 
 dried, in the fummer, that no difappointment may 
 be experienced in the winter, when their ufe is 
 more likely to be required. They are kept ready 
 mixed at the botanical shops in the different mar-* 
 
 kets^ 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 27^ 
 
 ktts of the Metropolis, and may always be had in 
 any quantity under the denomination of fomenta- 
 tion HERBS. 
 
 FOOT* — The foot of a horfe extends from the 
 FETLOCK-joiNT to the OUTER SOLE at the bottom of 
 the hoof: it includes the coronary-bone, the 
 NUT-BONE, the coffin-bone, and the inner fole^ 
 (or membranous mafs,) tn which it is depofited; as 
 well as the frog and the -wall or hoof furrounding 
 and fupporting the whole.— See Feet. 
 
 FOOT-FOUNDERED.— A horfe is faid to be 
 rooT-FOUNDERED whcn there is an evident defe6l 
 in aftion, and a palpable tendernefs, which pre- 
 vents him from putting his {ttt freely and boldly to 
 the ground. This malady feems never to have 
 been clearly comprehended, or perfe8:ly explained, 
 by any of thofe who have written upon the fubje6ls 
 included in the general praftice of farriery. It is 
 to be obferved, that horses labouring under this in- 
 firinity^ have become gradually contraBed in the 
 hoof and proportionally narrozoed at the A^e/i, put- 
 ting their feet before each other with as much fear 
 and caution, as if they were moving upon difheei of 
 red-hot iron-, the rider of any fuch horfe, being 
 conilantly in the happy expe6lation of the horfe's 
 pitching upon his head^ and probably breaking the 
 rider's own neck. 
 
 T 2 The 
 
27^ . SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 The very few reafons hitherto affigned for the 
 origin of this defecl, " as being watered when too 
 hot, then fetting the horfe upon cold planks without 
 litter y^ " heats and colds, which diforder the body, 
 and excite malignant humours, that inflame the 
 bloody melt the greafe, and make it defcend down- 
 ward to the feet, where it fettles, and caufes a 
 numbnefs in the hoofs ;" are fo truly nugatory, 
 that they are not for a fingle moment entitled to 
 SCIENTIFIC difquifition. The only two rational 
 CAUSES which can be affigned for this diforder (if it 
 can with propriety be fo termed) feem never to have 
 attraded profeflional obfervation or fefleQion. 
 That it has its foundation in long and hard riding 
 (or drawing) upon the hard and hot roads in the 
 fummer months, will not admit of a fingle doubt; 
 which foundation once laid, is not only increafed 
 by every repetition of the original caufe, but a 
 formidable addition made to it by the Jliamejul and 
 deJlruElive pra6lice of fitting red-hot JJioes, from the 
 roRGE^ to iht foot of the horfe; an unrelenting a8: of 
 cruelty, conflantly and obftinately perfevered in at 
 ^Imoft twtxy fJioeing-fJiop in the kingdom, by which 
 infernal a8: alone, hundreds of horfes are annually 
 
 FOOT-FOUNDERED ; tO Crufll whicll evil, THE LE- 
 GISLATURE would not find itfelf degraded, by enabl- 
 ing a prohibitory lav*-, any more than by conde- 
 fcending to prote8: the perfons of the outfide paffen- 
 gers upon a stage coach. 
 
 To 
 
SPORTIN.O DICTIONARY. «77 
 
 To juflify what is advanced upon the Aihject of 
 
 FOOT-FOUNDER, let it bc rccollcacd, that perfe- 
 
 yerin^friciion will produce fire ; of which we have 
 
 repeated proofs in the number of carriages known 
 
 to have taken fire upon the roads, and to have been 
 
 totally confumed. We are convinced a piece of 
 
 cold iron, flruck with a hammer five or fix times in 
 
 fuccefhon upon an anvil, will quickly afford a 
 
 communication of fire to a match; this bein^ re- 
 
 duced to an incontrovertible certainty, what muft 
 
 be the excefs of heai produced by the efffxt of 
 
 ATTRITION between the J/ioe of a horfe and the 
 
 hardnefs of the road in the fummer months, the 
 
 animal going a fifteen or twenty miles fiaee, at 
 
 the rate oUwelvc ox fourteen miles an hour? 
 
 ^^'^s 
 
 ^ Why, the effea is precifely this; that, by the 
 time the horfe has travelled difew miles, the rider 
 difmounting, will find, upon injlantaneous examina- 
 tion, the flioe has acquired (by the attrition already 
 defcribed) a degree of heat beyond his power to bear 
 with his hand, without being ferioufly burned. 
 The eifea of heat without, being the fame within, 
 aHs fo powerfully (in proportion to the continua- 
 tion of the journey, and the ftate of the road} upon 
 the foot of the horfe, particularly thofe of the 
 weakeft texture, and the moft fufceptible, that the 
 INNER SOLE (or membrauous mafs in which the 
 coffin-hone is lodged} becomes in time, and by repe- 
 tition, partially diveftcd of its moiflure, the very 
 
 ^ 3 fourcc 
 
f^7S SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 fource of fenfation ; upon which contraQion of the 
 internal "^diXis^ the hoof lofing its means and fup- 
 port of expanfion^ contracts in a correfponding de- 
 gree, conftituting the impoveriJJied appearance^ 
 hrittlc'hoof^ and narrow heel^ previoufly defcribed, 
 
 Thofe who have been fo exceedingly fparing, or 
 fo accidentallyT^^ri/e, in refpeB to the caufes of this 
 DEFECT, have, neverthelefs, been fufficiently liberal 
 in direfting a cure. " Firft, pare all the horfe's 
 foles fo thin that you may fee the quick; then 
 bleed him well at every toe; after which flop the 
 vein with tallow and refin melted together; and 
 having tacked fome hollow ihoes (lightly on his 
 feet, ftop them with bran, tar, and tallow, melted 
 together, and poured into the feet as hot as can well 
 be born ; repeat this every other day for a week or 
 nine days, after which give him proper exercife 
 daily ; or, what is ftill better, turn him oj^it for fix 
 weeks, if it is a proper feafon for fo doing," 
 
 Whether this mode, fo ftrenuoufly recom- 
 mended, and copied by one writer from another^ is 
 likely to effecl a cure, every reader will enjoy the 
 privilege of judging for hirnfelf: it is, however, 
 moll likely that thofe who rely upon any profef- 
 fional exertions for total obliteration, will be dif- 
 appointed, and that occafional palliation is all that 
 can be reafonably expe6led. ^ There is, however, 
 ^o doubt, but frequent and plentiful impregnations 
 
 of 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 2/9 
 
 of the wholt hoof^ and bottom of the faot^ with 
 5PERMA cJLTi OIL, made warm over the fire, will 
 contribute as much to the expanfion of the hoof, 
 and the regeneration of membranous moifture in 
 its contents, as any other means whatever. 
 
 FOREHAND — implies that part of a horse 
 extending from the ears to the withers ; which, to 
 be handfome, fhould be long, and rife gradually 
 from the upper point of the fhoulder-blade to the 
 very extremity of the ear. A forehand of this 
 defcription adds greatly to the majeftic appearance 
 and value of the horfe. But a horfe low hejorey 
 with dijhort forehand^ and indented crtji^ can never 
 become an obje£l of attradion. 
 
 FOREHEAD.— The forehead is the front of 
 the horfe*s head ; to obferve the form and effe^ of 
 which, it will be necelTary to get before him. It 
 is the fpace extending from the roots of the ears^ 
 and between the ey^s, which being broad and 
 FLAT, having 2i feather ox far in the center, con- 
 dilutes a degree of beauty, and may be fuppofed 
 to have a crofs of the Arabian in the blood. If 
 a horfe, having a wide flat forehead, has the ad- 
 vantage of a full prominent fpirited eye, they at 
 Xhe firft approach afford no fmall indication of ex- 
 cellence; and., upori nearer infpeftion, a corre^ 
 fpondjng fymmetry is expected to follow. 
 
 T 4 FORE- 
 
2S0 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 FORE-LEGS.— The fore-legs of a horfe begin 
 at the lower extremity of the shouldefs^-blade be- 
 fore, and the elbow behind : they confift of what 
 are termed the arms, (or fore thighs,) which ex- 
 tend to each knee; xh^ Jhank-hone from the knee 
 to the FETLOCK joint; the fetlock-bone is con- 
 tinued from thence to the coronary-bone, into 
 "^vhich it is inferted ; the coronary rbone in part fills 
 the cavity, or box of the hoof, being lodged in the 
 COFFIN-BONE, fuppOFtcd by the mU-bone behind; 
 thefe laft are depofited in the tnembranous mafs 
 denominated the inner sole; the whole being 
 terminated by the bottom of the hqo/^ ihe/rog, and 
 tjie Older fole. The fore-legs, to be uniform, 
 (in a front view,) fhouid be wide at the upper part 
 next the hreajl^ ftrong and broad in the arm, bony 
 below the knee, free from splents, a broad found 
 HOOF, firm sole, and a frog \ci\ho\jLt thruJJies, 
 
 FOREST.— A forest is a large traB: of land in 
 jpaflure, many miles in extent and circumference, 
 the property of the crov^n, moftly well flocked 
 with timber, (from whence the navy is fupplied,) as 
 well as with dL^dcdtiy o[ underwood^ farze^Jern^ Sec, 
 for the breeding and prefervation of both venison 
 and GAME. Forells are of great antiquity, and 
 their immunities are prote6led by laws peculiarly 
 and folcly adapted to their prefervation ; the exe-^ 
 cution of which are lodged in principal officers, 
 and their fabordinates, as follows; justices in 
 
 EYRE5 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 281 
 
 rVRE, CHIEF WARDENS, VERDERERS, REGARDERSj 
 FORESTERS, WOODWARDS, AGISTORS, RANGERS, BEA- 
 DLES, and KEEPERS, 
 
 A FOREST has its foundation under a commifTion 
 bearing the great Teal of England, and \vhen pro- 
 claimed through the county in which the land fo 
 appropriated lies, " that it is a forest, and to be 
 governed by the laws of a forest," it then be- 
 comes a foreft upon record^ and the officers be- 
 fore mentioned are appointed. A fored has its 
 
 *' BOUNDARIES," itS " PURLIEUS," itS " PROPERTIES," 
 
 its " COURTS," with a variety of regulations equally 
 yninterefting and unentertaining, except to thofe 
 who are refident within its precin6ls ; to whom a 
 variety of enlarged particulars will be ufeful, and 
 may be found in " Daniels' Rural Sports," a 
 recent publication of merit and celebrity. 
 
 There are faid to have been sixty-nine forests 
 in England, of which the New Forest, Windsor 
 Forest, Sherwood Forest, and the Forest of 
 Dean, have always been confidered the principal. 
 His Majesty's stag hounds are kept at the kennel 
 upon A/cot Heathy in Windsor Forest, where he 
 has for fome years enjoyed the pleafures of the 
 chafe. 
 
 The beafts of foreft, in all ancient records, were 
 Renominated '' beasts of veneryj" and confided 
 
 of 
 
282 SPORTING DICTIONARY. ^ 
 
 of the Hart^ Hind, Hare, Boar, and Wolf: the 
 complete extinQion of the two latter has, however, 
 long fince rendered the term unneceflary, if not 
 entirely ohfolete, and the whole is generally com- 
 prehended under the appellation of game, and the 
 LAWS enaded to prevent its deftruftion, 
 
 FOREST LAWS— are the laws framed for the 
 prote6lion of vert and venison within the precinfts 
 of a foreft. It is the bufinefs, and the duty, of all 
 fuhordinate officers, to apprehend offenders of 
 whatever defcription, and prefent them to the fo- 
 rest COURTS, in order to their being puniflied ac- 
 cording to the magnitude of the offence they may 
 have committed. 
 
 FOREST COURTS— are the courts occa- 
 fionally held for executing the forest laws. The 
 principal of which is, the Court of the Chief Jus- 
 tice in Eyre; this is a court of record, and is held 
 only once in three years. The Court of Swain- 
 mote confifls of the verderers, who, in fome de- 
 gree, are the judges ; as they receive prefentments, 
 and hear evidence, as well as enquire of offences to 
 ConviB, but cannot pafs judgment, that power being 
 referved to the Court of the Chief Justice (called 
 *' justice seat") alone. The Court of Swainmote 
 can only be held three times a year. The Court of 
 Attachment is likewife a meeting of the verde- 
 rers 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 283 
 
 RERS, and held once in fix weeks^ being called the 
 
 " f ORTY DAYS COURT." 
 
 During the time of the great camp upon BagJJiot 
 Heathy the Duke of Richmond having taken up his 
 temporary refidence at the Rojc Inn^ Wokingham^ 
 in Windsor Forest, where the courts were occa- 
 fionally held, and feeing the regulations refpefting 
 the Court of Attachment fixed in the room, his 
 Grace wifhed to obtain fome information upon the 
 fubjed; but finding none to be derived from the 
 waiter, he defired " aperfon might be fent up who 
 knew Jomething of the matter J' In a few minutes 
 appeared the fon of the landlady, who molt faga- 
 cioujly informed the Duke, that the " lorty Days 
 Court was an annual meeting, held every Jix 
 weeks ;" with which very clear and explanatory ac- 
 count, his Grace condefcendingly expreffed him- 
 felf " perfeaiy fatisfied." 
 
 FORM — is the fpot in which the hare takes her 
 feat at the dawn of day, to fecrete herfelf, after mak-. 
 ing her various work in the night (or rather in the 
 early part of the morning) to avoid difco very. When 
 found filings flie is faid to be in her form. If 
 fJiot as file fits, without being previoufly diflurbed, 
 (he is then faid to have been f/iot in her form* 
 Hares vary their fitting according to ihtfeafon^ the 
 fun^ and the wind. Soon after harveft they are 
 found in wheat, barley, and oat ftubbles, as well 
 
 a^ 
 
{^S^ SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 as in railiy graiFy moors; after thefe get bare, they 
 retire to coocrts^ banks^ hedges^ and hcdge-7-ozus. 
 After Chrillmas, and in the fpring months, dry 
 fallows^ particularly thofe laying towards the fun 
 with an afcent, are feldom without hares, if there 
 are any in the neighbourhood. 
 
 FOUL-FEEDERS— See Appetite. 
 
 FOWL. — Fowl, properly arranged, may be 
 claffed under three difUncl heads; as domestic 
 FOWL, confifting of cocks, hens, geefe, and ducks. 
 Wild fowl, comprehending, in the general fport- 
 ing acceptation, only birds of flight and palfage, as 
 sea-gulls and geefe, wild ducks, widgeon, teal, 
 curlews, plover, woodcocks, and fnipcs. Game 
 JOWL, in the earlieft Acls of Parliament, for its 
 prefervation, were extended to a very long lift, 
 including even the " Heron," the '• Mallard," the 
 *' Duck," and the " Teal :" thcfe, however, feem 
 to be buried in a legal oblivion, and the whole at 
 prefent to centre in the pheasant, the partridge, 
 the GROUSE, or red game, and the keath fowl, 
 or black game; the laws refpeQing which indivi- 
 dually, will be found under their diftintt and fepa^ 
 rate heads, 
 
 FOWLING — is a term in fome degree provin- 
 cial, being ufcd in a diflerent fenfe in one county 
 to what it is in another. In fenny countries, fowl- 
 ing 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. ^8^ 
 
 IN'G applies generally to the puiTiiit of water fozol^ 
 and the a6l of obtaining or taking them with either 
 NET or GUN. Ill other parts, fowling appertains 
 only to the fport of taking partridges with a net 
 and setting dog. With farmers, and the middling 
 clafs of ruftics, particularly in remote Y^ns^fowlm^ 
 ■dwdJJiooting are fynonimous terms. 
 
 FOWLING-BAG, or NET.— A bag or net is 
 fo called, which hangs by the fide of a sportsman, 
 fufpended from a leathern belt palTing round the 
 neck over his flioulder, for the purpofe of receiv-* 
 incr fuch game as he may be able " to has:.'' or 
 '• bring to netJ" 
 
 FOWLING-PIECE—has been generally ufed 
 to imply a gun of any defcription, {o far as it was 
 applicable to the purpofe of killing game, or, in 
 fa6:, WILD FOWL of any kind. It is, however, now 
 more properly applied to thofe of fi^e or Jix feet 
 in the barrel^ principally made ufe of for killing 
 sea and water fowl, as Wild or Solan Gcejc^ 
 Wild DuGks^ IVid^eon^ Teal^ Szc. 
 
 FOX. — The FOX is thatvrcll-knov.-n native animal 
 of this country whofe inftinttive cunning has ren- 
 dered it proverbial : they are common in moft parts 
 of the kingdom, (as w^ell as in Scotland.) but vary 
 fo much in fize^ that a late writer has extended his 
 defcription to three different and diJlinH kinds. 
 He fyys, '' There are three \-arietic.s of fox wiiii 
 5 us, 
 
*286 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 US, differing in form, but not in colour, except the 
 cur FOX, whofe tip of the tail is black: they are 
 diflinguifhed by the names of the greyhound fox, 
 ^vhich is the tailed and boldeft, and is chiefly found 
 in the mountainous parts of England and Scotland, 
 and will attack a well-grown fheep. The mastiff 
 FOX is Icfs, but his limbs more ftrongly formed. 
 The CUR fox is the leaft, the mod common, and is 
 the moft pernicious to game, approaches nearer to 
 the habitations of mankind, lurks about the out- 
 houfes of the farmer, and deftroys all the poultry 
 it can get at.'* 
 
 Without defcending to a minute examination of 
 this " VARIETY," which probably may arife from 
 the force of a too fertile imagination, or the dif- 
 ferent ^rowi^^ of FOXES in different counties^ where 
 the deficiency of food, or the difficulty of obtaining 
 it, may occafion as great and proportional a varia- 
 tion in ihtfize of the animal, as may be obferved 
 with the HORSES of Scotland and Wales, when 
 brought into competition with thofe produced in a 
 more fertile part of the kingdom; it mud fuffice to 
 explain his natural hiftory as of one /pedes only. 
 
 The FOX, when tamed, and fubjefcl to nice in- 
 fpeaion, is one of the moft beautifully formed 
 animals in the creation ; and when that/on;^ is cri- 
 tically farveycd, the poffihility of his perfevering 
 fpetd before fuch immenfe bodies o^ffeet purfuers. 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. £87 
 
 for fo great a length of time, becomes matter of the 
 greatcft admiration. P^oxes are in colour of a 
 yellowifh red, or rather yellow brown, having on 
 the forehead, the fhoulders, as far as the root of 
 the tail, and the outfide of the hind legs, a tinge of - 
 dirty white or afii colour: the edges of the lips, 
 the cheeks, and the throat, are white; and a flripe 
 of the fame runs along the under fide of the legs: 
 the breaft and belly are a lightifh grey : the tips of 
 the ears and feet (fportingly termed pads} are 
 black: the tail (called brush) reddifh yellow, with 
 ablackifh hue upon the furface; the tip itfelf pure 
 white. 
 
 The fox in formation has great refemblance to 
 the DOG, but with fome variations; his head is 
 larger in proportion to his body; his ears are 
 fhorter; his tail thicker, and the hair longer: he 
 has a broad flat forehead, narrowing to a picked 
 nofe; ears ered, and fharp at the point; eyes fmall, 
 and fiery in afpea, by which are eafily obferved 
 whether h(S is influenced by afffxtion, anger, or 
 FEAR. His fenfe of fmelling is fo inftin6tively ex- 
 quifite, that he can wind either his prej) or his 
 enemy at a very confiderable dillance. 
 
 The fagacity of this animal, in the purfuitof his 
 prey, as well as his various modes of obtaining it, 
 are almoft beyond defcription: his favourite ob-, 
 jeas are game of every kind, rabbits, poultry 
 
 without 
 
j^88 . SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 without exception, birds, and the fmaller quadru- 
 peds. In extreme hunger he will eat mice, frogs^ 
 fnails, and infects : fome kinds of fi'uits and berries 
 alfo are not refufed. Honey he is remarkably fond 
 of; and^ it is faid, will even attack the tiivEs, and 
 hazard the event of a battle^ rather than relinquifli 
 the chance of fo luxurious and delicious a repaft» 
 The fame fagacity regulates all his proceedings in 
 refpeft to bodily fafety : when laying above ground, 
 it is generally in the moft fequeftered and unfre- 
 quented places, and the moft difficult of accefs; 
 when at earthy it is generally in the ftrong hold of 
 hard ground, exceedingly deep, of which fom(i 
 BADGER has been difpoffefTed, (by the fox's cun- 
 ning of depofiting his excrement there,) or under 
 the roots of trees, by the diverfe ramifications of 
 which he is fhielded from every chance of exter- 
 mination. 
 
 In his noQurnal depredations, he is in fome dt- 
 grttfyfiematic^ frequently feleQing for his conceal- 
 ment thofe fmall graffy-bottomed coverts near thd 
 fmall hovels and thatched cottages of the labouring 
 poor, where his lurking-place is the leaft fufpe8:ed. 
 Here, in his reclufe kennel, he enjoys the various 
 cackling of the different kinds of poultry, and 
 exultingly anticipates the intentional devaftation. 
 When unreftrained, and in a ftate of liberty, he" 
 feizes poultry with a rapturous eagernefs, and ra- 
 venous rapacity,, abfolutely incredible; his joy irt 
 
 polTefliori 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 289 
 
 pofTcflion is demonftratcd by the mod IncxprefTible 
 twiftings and flirtings of the tail, with other wan- 
 ton gefticulations^ indicative of the highefl poflible 
 gratification. The firft and moft prefTmg fenfa- 
 tions of prefent hunger being fatisfied, he prudencly 
 provides for the uncertainty of i\ic: future : after the 
 annihilation (or fafe depofit) of a firjl^ he returns 
 for iht fecond ; that fafely fecured, either in a hole 
 dug for its reception, and covered with earth, or 
 fecreted in his kennel^ he comes for a thirds which 
 is concealed in a fimilar manner, but not in the 
 fame place, well knowing the impolicy of placing 
 all his treafure in one bank, wifely recolle6ling, 
 that fliould bankruptcy happen in one place^ it can 
 prove no had maxim to have effects in another. 
 
 Fortune not always favoring him at the fajne 
 points^ he has his alternatives: as it is the mis- 
 fortune annexed to his very nature to alFord fport 
 to others^ fo, with all the retaliation in his power, 
 he frequently ^uds fport for himfelf To the help- 
 lefs, inoffeniive leverets, during the early part of 
 the feafon, he frequently gives chafe, particularly 
 on moon-light nights, with too much fuccefs. In 
 this purfuit he vents a fenfation of pleafure, par- 
 taking more of a yelping ivhimper than a dillind 
 hark: he feizes old hares in ih.tiv forms ; perfe- 
 veringly digs rabhits out of their burrows ; is inde- 
 fatigable in the fearch after, and difcovery of, 
 pheasants and partridges upon their nefls^ which 
 
 Vol. I. U he 
 
2C)0 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 he inftantly deftroys. The fatigue he undergoes by 
 night in quefl of prey, occafions him to fleep much^ 
 and fometimes exceedingly found, by day : in- 
 ftances have been frequent of hounds drawing up 
 to, and killing them in kennel, without a drag; 
 as well as of their being found fleeping in the funny 
 banks of hedge-rows, and fliot by farmers, (balk- 
 ing as they lay,) without being previoufly difturbed. 
 
 The naturally rank and ofFenfive fmell of the 
 rox renders it a rich fcent to hounds, which they 
 evidently evince when it lays well, and they are 
 running breast high; at which time the crows, 
 magpies, and j^j^5, (who confider him an invincible 
 and cruel enemy,) give clamorous proofs of his 
 prefence, by hovering over him with their fcreams 
 of exultation at his impending fate, fo long as they 
 can keep him in view. They copulate (or go to 
 
 clicket, as it is called) in the winter, and produce 
 
 cubs during the month of April, and the firft week 
 ki May: they have but one litter a year; an old 
 
 VIXEN frequently bringing from fix to nine cubs; 
 
 a vixen of the firfl or fecond year not fo many. 
 
 They are known to grow for eighteen months, and 
 
 to live, even in a tame fate, for fourteen or fifteen 
 
 years. 
 
 Doubts have arifen, and oppofite opinions have 
 been ftrenuoufly fupported, upon the queftion whe- 
 ther the FOX and dog v/ill generate an offspring to 
 
 which 
 
SPORTING DICTION ARV. 991 
 
 which the prolific powers fliall continue in faccef-* 
 five perpetuity : this feems to be pofitively afcer- 
 tained in the affirmative, with one exception, 
 which is, that the a8: of copulation will be efFeded 
 only by the dog fox with a ditch of the canine 
 
 SPECIES. 
 
 Inflances of the extreme cunnings and innate y^- 
 gacity^ of foxes, when hunted, and in returning 
 tie enty 2in6. thirty miles to the coverts where they 
 have been firft found, are upon record, and almoft 
 innumerable. Their courage, as well as the 
 Jlrength of their jaws^ are beyond conception : 
 they defend themfelves to the laft extremity ; no 
 blows deter them from their hold : their bite is fe- 
 vere and dangerous, as they make their teeth meet 
 through a ftrong and thick hand. When caught by 
 the HOUNDS, they are filently refolute even in 
 DEATH ; for xe\enge{\x\\Y feizing upon the Jirjl af- 
 failant, their hold is never relinquifhed but with 
 the laft gafp. 
 
 FOX-HUNTING— has been for time immemo- 
 rial a favourite fport with the natives of this king- 
 dom, particularly in the prime of life; the pleafing 
 exercife, and bodily exertion, contributing greatly 
 to the PRESERVATION of HEALTH ; but the fatigue 
 and danger render it but ill-adapted to the aged, 
 the INFIRM, and the valetudinarian. The pcr- 
 fevering fpeed and fortitude of the game, the con- 
 
 U 2 ^2^it\y 
 
292 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 flantly improving high mettled excellence of the 
 HOUNDS, the invincible fpirit of the horses, and 
 the unreftrained ardour of their riders, have given 
 it ji, decided fuperiority over every other field 
 SPORT ever yet known to the people of this country. 
 Its falutary effect upon both the body and mind, has 
 eftabliflied its enjoyment upon a bafis too broad 
 ever to be fliaken, even by time itfelf : the fuper- 
 lative pleafure of every fcene, the diverfities of the 
 aggregate, and the extacy with which the whole is 
 embraced by its infinity of devotees, have reduced 
 the fport to a fyftem of perfeftion never before 
 known; and in this fome of the moil learned, the 
 mofl eminent, and the moft opulent chara6lers 
 are principally and perfonally engaged in nearly 
 every county^ from one extremity of the kingdom 
 to the other. 
 
 Fox-hunting feems to be pofieffed of a charm, 
 or magical infpiration, within itfelf, that even the 
 moft ferious, the moft cynical, and the moft fin- 
 gular, cannot, with all the firranefs of their re- 
 folves, fummon refolution to withftand. It is the 
 very kind of rapturous gratification to which every 
 effort of the pen becomes inadequate in its attempts 
 at defcription; it muft hcfeen to be underjlood ; it 
 muft be felt to be enjoyed. A fox-hunting- 
 establishment confifts, in general, of what it has 
 done for the laft century paft, at leaft with thofe 
 packs moft celebrated for the eminence and opu- 
 lence; 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 2^3 
 
 LENCE of their owners. The principal and fecond 
 HUNTSMAN, the firft and fecond whipper>in, three 
 horfes kept for f<2cA o^ the firjl, and two each for 
 both the loft; from twenty-five to thirty-five 
 couple of HOUNDS, terriers^ helpers^' earth-Jloppers^ 
 dog-feeders^ and a long lift of et ceteras^ too nu- 
 merous for minute defcription. Thofe who wifh 
 to ac<^uire 2i fyjlematic knowledge of the sport, (fo 
 far as it can be obtained from theory,) will do 
 well to perufe attentively " Mr. Beckforo's 
 Thoughts upon Hunting, in a Series of familiar 
 Letters to a Friend." — They are fo truly the ef- 
 fufions of found judgment, and fo replete with the 
 ufeful remarks of an experienced fportfman, that 
 there is no room for any thing new or additio;^al 
 tiO be introduced upon the fubjeft. 
 
 FREE WARRENfiii-A free warren is a term 
 totally diftinft from forest, chace, park, manor, 
 or warren; it is 2i franchife dtriYtd. originally from 
 THE Crown ; and the perfon having a grant of free 
 warren over certain lands, poffeffes a sole right 
 of purficing^ taking,^ and killing game of every 
 kind within its limits; although there may be no 
 one acre of land hi^ own property through the whole 
 diltriB: where he is poiTeffed of this right. There 
 are inftances .v/here a variety of circumftances ren- 
 der manorial rights and privileges fo complex, and 
 feemingly indefinite, as to produce litigation with- 
 out perfonal enmi.ty, but merely that the right 
 
 U 3 fhall 
 
29-1 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 (hall be legally afcertained. It appears that 
 where manor lands are fituate in, and furrounded 
 by, a FREE WARREN, the owner of fuch lands may 
 kill game within his own manor, but he cannot in- 
 troduce even a qualified perfon to kill game there 
 alfo^ without the confent of the owner or pofTeffor 
 of the privilege of free warren over the whole; 
 if fo, the perfon introduced killing game^ will be 
 liable to an aclion for trefpafs, which aClion will 
 lie. 
 
 A curious caufe came on to be tried before a 
 jury at the fummer affizes of the prefent year, 
 1802, held at Abingdon, for the county of Berks, 
 wherein }ohn Westbrook, Gent, of the parifli of 
 Bray, (fituate in Windfor Foreft,) was plaintiffj 
 and a Game-keeper of his Majefty's the defendant. 
 The a8.ion was brought to tiy the right of the de- 
 fendant, as one of his Majefty's keepers, to kill 
 GAME within the enclofed grounds of the plaintiff, 
 fituate in, and furrounded by, the xvajles^ commons^ 
 and within the boundaries of the faid forest. 
 When, without adverting to the laws relative to 
 foreils only^ (with which the queflion was totally 
 unconneded,) the Court held it good, that the 
 King, pofieffing a free warren over the whole, 
 poiTtiTed iikewife the privilege of appointing a 
 keeper to kill game upon any, and within every^ 
 part of the faid free warren, without the leaft ex- 
 ception as to enclofed lands^ the property o^ others; 
 
 whea 
 
SPORTING DiCnONARY. 295 
 
 when the jury inftautly found for the defendant, 
 by which thcright is fully confirmed. 
 
 This being a queftion of p^rivilege^ tried on ihc 
 part of an individual againft the prerogative of the 
 Crown, it might be fairly confidered conclufive 
 upon the fubject of free warren ; but as it cannot 
 be too clearly underflood, for the prevention of ill 
 neighbourhood, and expenfive litigation, another 
 decifion is fubjoined, which took place about the 
 fame time, though in a different county. 
 
 On the 12th of July, in the fame year, a writ of 
 inquiry was executed before the Under Sheriff at 
 Hertford, in an a6lion wherein Henry Browne, 
 pf North Mimms, Efq. was plaintiff, and Tho- 
 mas Greenwood, the Younger, def£Ndant. 
 The aftion was brought for a trefpafs committed 
 by the defendant, in JJiooting game within the 
 fREE warren belonging to the plaintiff, who is 
 Lord pf the Manor of North Mimms, and entitled 
 Ho free warren through the whole of the Manor. It 
 appeared, that the land on which the trefpafs 
 was committed, and the game killed^ by the de- 
 fendant, was not^ in point offaB^ the land of the 
 PLAINTIFF, but, on the contrary, belonged to 
 Justinian Casamajor, Efq. However, as it was 
 proved to be within the Manor of North Mimms, 
 and the right of free warren extending over the 
 whole of the Manor, the Jury, after confidering 
 
 U 4 the 
 
^g6 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 the circumflances of the cafe, and the defendant's 
 condu6t5 who perfifted in fliooting after being warned 
 to the contrary^ gave a verdict of ten pounds with 
 coils, 
 
 FRET. — The diforder which (in the country) is 
 called by this name, is the flatulent cholic, and 
 occafioned from a retention of wind, and a rare- 
 faQion of air in the inteflinal canal. It is imme- 
 diately difcoverable by the fulnefs and extreme 
 tenfion of the carcafe, the agonizing pain of the 
 horfe, the rumbling of the confined air, the partial 
 and very trifling expulfions of wind, the laboured 
 refpiration, frequent groaning, fuddenly laying 
 down, and as haftily rifing, conftant looking back 
 to the flank on one fide or the other, as if foliciting 
 relief from thofe who furround him. The great 
 and leading object is, to promote a plentiful ex- 
 pulsion of wind: this is in general followed by 
 excrementitious difcharges, by which eafe is ob- 
 tained, and the diforder near at an end. Warm, 
 fpicy, aromatic carminatives, blended with ano- 
 dynes, are the medicines belt adapted to this fpecies 
 of CHOLIC, and to which it fpeedilv fubmits; more 
 particularly if plenty of assistants are at hand to 
 beflow the neceflary portion ofjlank rubbings (and 
 belly wifping,) to an unceafing perfeverance in 
 which, fuccefs is equally to be depended upon with 
 the adminiftration of medicine; as in moil cafes 
 
 little 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 297 
 
 little is to be expe6led from one without collateral 
 aid from the other. 
 
 FROG, — in horses, is the centrical foft kind of 
 horny fubftance at the bottom of the foot, fpreading 
 wide from the heel, having a cleft in the middle, 
 and terminating in a point toward the toe. To the 
 internal parts the lower extremity of the tendons 
 are attached, and the frog is the bafis by which 
 their elajlicity is fupported, and from whence is 
 derived the deceptive reafoning, that the frog mufl 
 indifpenfibly (in action) touch the ground. The 
 frog is fubjeft to a defeat, called the frush, or 
 THRUSH, and this, when become virulent, is termed 
 running thrujli : it fometimes arifes from internal 
 heat, by ftanding too much upon foul hot litter^ 
 (particularly in the livery ftables of the Metro- 
 polis,) as well as from a stagnant ftate of the 
 FLUIDS in the extremities, for want of proper exer- 
 cife^ leg rubbing, and keeping the feet clean. 
 
 FROTH. — A HORSE difplaying a profufion of 
 froth when champing upon the bit, either in 
 aBion upon the road^ or in the field with hounds, 
 may be confidered a diftinguifhing, and almoft 
 invariable fign of both good fpirit and found bot- 
 tom ; for a dull jade^ or a horse of the Jluggijli 
 cart breeds is very rarely to be feen with this ap- 
 pearance. It is alfo no inferior criterion of 
 HEALTH, and may, in general, be confidered truly 
 
£9^ SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 indicative of condition ; few, if any, horfes of ' 
 this defcription fla^ upon a journey, or tirt in 
 the field. 
 
 FRUSH. — A diforder or defed in the centrical 
 cleft of the frog, at the bottom of the foot, was 
 formerly fo called; but is now more generally 
 known under the denomination of Thrp sh, which 
 
 FUMIGATION— is a moft ufeful process ia 
 all cafes where the diseases of horses particularly 
 affetl the head. In recent colds^ obftinate coughs^ 
 ^dinduldx tumefaElions under the j^ri;5, strangles^ 
 INFLAMMATION of the LUNGS, low fcvcrs, aud 
 even in dulnefs, over-fatigue, or when a horfe is 
 off his appetite, and refufes food, it is very fre- 
 quently of perceptible utility. Horses may be 
 fumigated by boiling rosemary, lavender, marsh- 
 mallow LEAVES, and cammomile flowers, in a 
 few quarts of water over the fire for a quarter of 
 an hour, then ilraining off the liquor, and ftrewing 
 the hot herbs from one end of the manger to the 
 pther, failening the horfe's head up with the rack 
 rei?ij by which means he cannot evade the efflu- 
 VIA. In want pf thefe, or where they are difficult % 
 to obtain, a mafh made of ground malt, with 
 boiling water, is a very fubflantial and proper fub- 
 ftitute, into which flir two ounces of anifeed, and 
 two ounces of carraway feeds, both frefh, and 
 
 previoufly 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 2^9 
 
 previoufly beaten to powder in a mortar. This 
 mafh moft horses will afterwards zat, when fiiffi- 
 cicntly cold for the purpofe; which, with the effect 
 of the fumes upon the throat, the nostrils, the 
 GLANDS, and the head, in general will promote a 
 difcharge, and relieve the fubje6l. 
 
 FUNGUS — is the too-faft fhooting granulations 
 of new flefh during the incarnation of wounds, 
 ticularly in horses, with whom it is invariably 
 exuberant, and requires fome degree of judgment 
 in the fuppreflion : it is too frequently attempted 
 hy Roinan vitriol^ corrofive Jublimate^ and other 
 cauftics ; but they are only produ61ive of difap- 
 pointment, in conflituting an efchar upon the fur- 
 face, and leaving the cure at a more remote and 
 uncertain diftance, than before their application. 
 Slight fcarifications, both tranfverfe and longitudi- 
 nal, with a LANCET or bi story, is a far preferable 
 mode of treatment, and that followed by a drclhng 
 of lint covered with proper digeflives. 
 
 FURNITURE HORSE.— In many parts of 
 the United Kingdom, the saddlf, bridle, cloths, 
 and every other part appertaining to the body of 
 the horfe, paffes under the denomination of horfe 
 furniture. 
 
 CALLSj 
 
300 SPOllTIKG DICTIONARY, 
 
 G. 
 
 GALLS, OR GALLING. — Lacerations occa- 
 fioned by the too tight prelTure and friftion of an 
 uneafy and ill-fitted faddle, or heavy harnefs, are 
 fo called. They are feldom feen with either the 
 judicious or the enlightened; experience having 
 taught ioth how to appreciate prevention. The 
 prudei?4: sportsman will never take his horfe to the 
 field, nor the humane driver his carriage-horfe to 
 the road, till perfonal examination has convinced 
 him the neceffary apparatus is not only j?rw, but 
 proportionally eafy ; and this fhould become the 
 more predominant in memory, becaufe it is natural 
 to conclude, no man exifting would, by negleft or 
 inattention, give pain to the very animal from 
 whofe exertions he is io derive his own pleasure. 
 
 Injuries of this defcription, if unexpededly fuf- 
 tained, fhould be immediately attended to; a re- 
 petition, Siud that f 0071^ upon the part fo injured, 
 is frequently produftive of trouble, expence, lofs 
 of time, and difappointment. When the fide of a 
 horfe is galled^ as it fometimes is, by the girth- 
 buckle having been mofl improperly placed upon 
 the edge of the pad^ it is not unlikely, for want of 
 early or proper attention, to terminate in a sit- 
 fast, and then can only be completely cured by 
 
 extirpation 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 301 
 
 extirpation with the knife. The withers being 
 affetled in the fame way, and the faddle or harnefs 
 continued in ufe by which the injury was originally 
 occafioned, the foundation of fistula may be 
 laid, and will be likely to enfue. In all flight and 
 fuperficial galls, two or three moiftenings of the 
 part with cold vinegar will allay the inflammation, 
 and harden the furface; but where the long-con- 
 tinued heat 2ind/riBion has occafioned a defl:ru6lion 
 of parts, it mufl: be drefled and managed as a 
 wound, which can only be completely cured bv 
 incarnation. 
 
 GALLOP — is one pace of the horse, well 
 known by that general name ; though it will admit 
 of gradational difl:in8:ions. A canter is the flowed 
 gallop, in v/hich a horfe bears mod upon his 
 haunches, but lightly on the bit; it is a pace 
 which fpirited, good-tempered horfes feem to en- 
 joy, and is peculiarly calculated for the accom- 
 modation of a lady. A ratixg-gali.op is the 
 increafe of a61ion to fuch pace, as the particular 
 horfe may or can go with eafe at his rate in com- 
 mon (troke without being exerted to fpeed ; and 
 this is the hunting gallop of thorough bred 
 HORSES, who will always lay by the Jide of hounds 
 at it, without being in the leafl: din:re(t. A brush- 
 ing GALLOP upon the turf, implies an increafed 
 degree of velocity, but not equal to utmolt fpeed. 
 
 GALLOPADE 
 
SO^ SPORTING DICTIONARV. 
 
 GALLOPADE-— is a term in the military 
 
 MANEGE. 
 
 GALLOWAY— is the appellation given to 
 that ufeful kind of fmall horfe from thirteen to 
 FOURTEEN HANDS high; they are rarely to be feen 
 of exa6l symmetry, uniform strength, and ade- 
 quate action; but, \^ well-bred^ their qualifica- 
 tions, and endurance of fatigue, exceeds defcrip- 
 tion. 
 
 GAMBLERS— confift of twoTets; firft, thofe 
 whofe thirll for gaming, (called play) is infa- 
 tiate, and who have property to lose; thefe 
 are gentlemen, who, pofleffing a refined fenfe of 
 HONOR themfelves, never meanly defcend to fuf- 
 pe£l the integrity of othej's. An accurate defcrip- 
 tion of their opponents will be found under the 
 head " Black Legs," where the pra6tices of ^' the 
 Jamily" are more fully explained. 
 
 GAME — for the prefervation of which fuch a 
 fuccefTion of laws have been ena6led, were, in 
 many of tlie former preambles to the different acts 
 of Parliament, extended to " the Heron^ Pigeon j 
 Mallard^ Duck^ Teal^ Widgeon, or ^wy fuch Fo-ml-,'* 
 but in the prefent conftru6}ion5 game is generally 
 confidered to imply no more than the hare, phea- 
 sant, partridge, heath-fowl, and moor game, 
 which are the whole of what is intentionally in- 
 cluded 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 30:i 
 
 eluded in the game laws; and what pcrfons pof- 
 feffed of certain qualiji cations^ as well as an as- 
 NUAL CERTIFICATE, are empowered to kill. Deer 
 of every defcription are alfo denominated game ; 
 but they are protefted by laws appropriate to 
 tlieir peculiar prefervation. Rabbits were alfo 
 included in many of the earlieft ads relating to 
 GAME, but are now confidered of no confequence, 
 except in warrens, where being private pro- 
 perty, and produftive of annual profit, they have 
 LAWS for the fecurity of the ov\^ner, with very 
 heavy penalties annexed to their deftruRion. 
 Proprietors of dove-kouse pigeons have like- 
 wife legal means of redrefs, upon their pigeons 
 being wantonly fliot at or deftroyed. The mallard^ 
 zoild'duck, zvidgeon, teal, &c. are not without 
 LAWS for their increafe, and proportional preferva- 
 tion. See Decoy. 
 
 GAME COCK,— The true-bred game cock is a 
 fpecies of fowl almoft peculiar to this country; 
 his natural and inilinftive courage will never per- 
 mit him to yield to an opponent, however he may 
 be fuperior in w^EIGHT and strength; but he will, 
 even under thofe difadvantages, continue to fight 
 till literally cut to pieces. After the lofs of eyes^ 
 with the body v;ounded and perforated in every 
 part, when even the vfe of his le^s are gone, and 
 he is no longer able to ftand, but lays extended 
 upon the fod^ wdth his victorious oppopent exult« 
 
 ingly 
 
304! SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 ingly CROWING over his mangled frame, he will 
 continue ioJJiew fight with his beak^ to the lail re- 
 mains of life. 
 
 Thofe NOBLEMEN and gentlemen who have 
 (from hereditary rule, and local cuftom) continued 
 the fport of COCKING, in the neighbourhoods where 
 their country manfions and landed eftates lay, have 
 been, and are, exceedingly circumfpeQ: and cau- 
 tious in the breed, left any chance of contamina- 
 tion fhould creep in, by an injudicious, improper, 
 or unlucky, crofs in the blood; for as fome hun- 
 dreds of POUNDS are frequently depending upon 
 ONE MAIN, and that main upon the battle of a Jingle 
 cock^ no fuch money can be betted with a probable 
 or equal chance of winning, unlefs the unfullied 
 purity of the breed is moft accurately afcertained. 
 In confirmation of which remark, it is to be ob- 
 ferved, that whenever a cock, in fighting, de- 
 clines the battle, no longer faces his adverfary, 
 but repeatedly turns tail, and 7'uns away, his blood 
 is no longer to be relied on; and fuch cock has not 
 only his neck broke in the Pit, but the whole of 
 that breed are deftroyed, to prevent farther conta- 
 mination, as well as future lofs, difgrace, and dif- 
 appointment. 
 
 Game cocks are bred of various colours, ac- 
 cording to the fancy or opinion of different ama- 
 teurs, many of whom have their favourite plu- ^|| 
 
 mage; ^ 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 305 
 
 mage; their colours arc tcclinically defcribcd by 
 the variations in feather^ and are as follow: The 
 black or pheafant-breaftcd red; the black-breafted 
 .ginger; the fpeckle-breafted ginger dux; the 
 .black-breafted yellow duckwing; the turkey- 
 breafted ditto; the smutty dun; the brass- 
 winged black; and the smock, which is a milk- 
 white, having the appearance of a common barn- 
 door fowl; and the odds are proportionally againfl: 
 them whenever they are brought to Pit, which is 
 now but feldom, the breed being nearly or quite 
 deltroyed. 
 
 Two opinions have always been, and flill are, 
 entertained refpefting the cocks moft proper to 
 breed from, admitting the ftandard of hone, ftrength^ 
 toeight, Siud Jianding, to be juft the fame. Some 
 prefer breeding from a cock who has won many 
 hard-fought battles, by which his own blood is- fo 
 fairly proved; whilft others maintain the con- 
 fiftency of breeding only from the full brothers of 
 fuch, (who are called maiden cocks, as never 
 having fought,} under an impreffion, that the 
 former muft have fuftained material injury by the 
 wounds received, and the blood lof, in the battles he 
 had formerly fought. However thofe who breed 
 GAME FOWL may differ upon this particular point, 
 it is an opinion nearly unanimous, that if you 
 breed entirely for the Pit, that no cock fliould be 
 bred frorn younger than two, or more than six, 
 
 Vol. I. X vears 
 
306* SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 years old. Although it is right to breed from a 
 ftroiig, bony, clofe-made, majeftic, high-ftanding 
 cock, yet it is by no means prudent fo to do from 
 cocks much above match weight; that is to fay, 
 never to exceed four pounds, twelve ounces, 
 at the utmolt 5 for fliould the hens prove large 
 alfo, the progeny might run ftill more into^^^^ and 
 honc^ and never fall into any match whatever. 
 
 In breeding game chicken, to breed with fuc- 
 cefs, there are fome general rules, which fliould be 
 flri6lly attended to, and invariably perfevered in. 
 No BROOD-cocK fliould Walk with more than ybwr 
 hens; three being, in fa6l, fully fufficient. Game 
 hens fhould never be permitted to bring forth a 
 clutch of chickens before the lajl week in Fe- 
 bruary, nor after the Jirjl week in May; thofe 
 hatched in March and April are only adapted to 
 the Pit, and are ahvays preferable, in siz^: and 
 GROWTH, to thofe hatched at any other feafon of the 
 year. Hens after hatching fhould be cooped afun- 
 dtr, where the chickens cannot intermix ; as the 
 hens will not only kill the young of each other ^ but 
 riGHT themselves with the fame inveteracy as 
 THE COCKS. If a game hen, with chicken, retreats 
 "when attacked by another in the fame ftate, her 
 produce has been fufpe6led to prove, in future, 
 dcfeElive in courage; this opinion has, however, 
 been founded upon falfe principles; becaufe it is a 
 very common circumilance for the younger hen to 
 
 give 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 307 
 
 / 
 
 give place to an older, as it always is for the stag 
 to fubmit to the old cock, who muft and will con- 
 tinue mailer of his walk. 
 
 During the fir ft year after being hatched, they 
 are called individually chicken; from twelve 
 months to two years old, they are termed stags,- 
 and from that period called cocks, being then 
 thought in their prime; but they are probably 
 more fo at three, if properly walked. Cock 
 CHICKENS fhould never be permitted to ran too 
 long together, but be feparated as foon as they 
 begin fighting ti;z^A each other; and this ought to 
 be the more ftriQly attended to, becaufeit fre- 
 quently happens, that out of a whole clutch^ by 
 negleB: or inattention, what v/ith fcalped headsj 
 lofso/eyes, broken heaks^ ox deformed feet^ not one 
 has ever been brought to the fcale. 
 
 Cock chicken, when firft removed, at three or 
 Jour months old, are placed where they continue 
 to walk under an old cock, and wall continue 
 obedient and fubmilTive till nine and ten^ or fome- 
 times twelve months old; the experinient is 
 neverthelefs too hazardous to be made ; they had 
 much better be taken to a master-walk in proper 
 time, to avoid the probability of either one or 
 hoth being spoiled. The moft eminent breeders, 
 as well as the moft enthufiaftic betters, have one 
 mode of endeavouring to fix a criterion, how far 
 
 X 3 they 
 
5,08 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 they can depend upon the heel^ the fight ^ and the 
 bloody of any particular breed or cross they may 
 have been induced to adopt. This experiment 
 (dreadfully cruel as it is) is termed " cutting 
 OUT," and confifts in pitting fuch chicken o^feven^ 
 eighty or nine months old, unarmed., againfl their 
 own brodiers, or others of fuperior age^ weighty 
 and fire7igth, having silver spurs; if the chicken, 
 fo unarmed, and without the leaft chance of fuc- 
 cefs, continues the combat till completely deprived 
 of life,, without difplaying the lead tendency to 
 cowardice, or confcioufnefs of defeat, more of his 
 brothers have the fame fevere and " fiery ordeal'* 
 to undergo, when, if the refult is juft the fame, 
 the crofs is admitted to be good^ and the breed is 
 perfevered in, till, from circumflances, the blood 
 is thought to degenerate, when new croffes are 
 adopted, and new experiments made. See Cock- 
 ing, CocK-MATCH, and Cockpit, 
 
 GAMING — is that deftruclive vice which has 
 annihilated fome of the mod princely fortunes in 
 this, and, perhaps, in every other kingdom : it is 
 a whirlwind of devaftating infatuation, which de- 
 ftroys every thing before it: like the effect of un- 
 reftrained fire, it continues its ravages fo long as 
 there is a fingle combuilible to feed the flame. 
 The mod xMagnificent mansions, the mofi: lordly 
 possessions, the mod majestic " towering woods," 
 and the mod extenfive fertile vales, have been 
 
 in 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 309 
 
 in one night fwept away by this infernal and dc- 
 fi:ru6tive propcnlity. Thoufands, educated in af- 
 fluence, and left in a (late of the mod flourifhing 
 INDEPENDENCE, havc bccn reduced to the grcatejl 
 ivant^ and died 7niferahle repentant s ^vithin the 
 dreary confines of a prison, by the certain effe6l 
 of an attachment to this mod dreadful of all vices, 
 which the united wisdom of the Legislature has 
 fo ilrenuoufly endeavoured to fupprefs. Laws. 
 have been framed, and are rigidly enforced, for its 
 prevention; heavy stamp duties have been laid 
 upon cards and dice, that thofe who ufe them may 
 voluntarily contribute to the fupport of the State, 
 by which both perfon and property are prote6led; 
 and, as a farther proportional prohibition, no 
 GAMING debt is rccoverablc by law where the fum 
 fuedfor fhall exceed ten pounds. Ses Betting. 
 
 GAMING-HOUSES— are thofe infamous noc- 
 turnal receptacles of the moil abandoned ini-^ 
 qicity, where fuch fcenes of, villainy are in perpetual 
 pratlice, that the mod fertile pen muft be inade- 
 quate to even a tolerable reprefentation. Thefe 
 houfes in the M-etropolis, are, by the sporting 
 world, denominated " Hells ;" and fo truly arc 
 they entitled to that fublime di(lin6lion, that the 
 whole FORCE of magistracy has been mod laudably 
 and fuccefsfuily exerted againd them without ex- 
 ception. Houfes of this defcription are appro- 
 priated only to iht lAirpofes o[ play^ and that of the 
 
 X 3 mod 
 
310 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 moft unfair defcription. They are kept by sys- 
 tematic DEPREDATORS, " who fliun thc light;" 
 men who have no credit to fupport^ no reputation 
 to lofe ; and who are as completely loft to every 
 fenfe of Ihame, as they are completely baniflied 
 from the refpedable claffes of fociety. Here it is 
 where the young, the inexperienced, the inju- 
 dicious, and the inconfiderate, facrifice not only 
 their own, and often the property of others, but 
 projiitute alfo that moft invaluable gem their inte- 
 grity, and with it a peace of mind never to be 
 reftored. 
 
 From the firfc moment of entering fuch an ini- 
 quitous fink of pollution, fuch a complication of 
 villainy, and fuch a, combination of the moft 
 defperate and abandoned thieves, every infatuated 
 adventurer may date the origin o'^ future mifery. 
 Whether it be cards, dice, E. O. or whatever 
 GAME or name the fpeculative fport may be, the 
 credulous^ unfifpeEiing dupe has no one chance to 
 win, but inevitably every chance to lofe^ under the 
 certainty of their fyftematic depredation. Thus far 
 in explanation of thofe Hells, legally confidered 
 nliifances to fociety, as being prejudicial to the 
 morals, and deftru6iive to the property, of fuch 
 individuals as unhappily fall within the vortex of 
 fo fafhionable an influence; but there are other 
 gaming houses of a fuperior order, and of the m^oft 
 magnificent defcrintion, fupported in all the ftyle 
 
 of 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY^ 311 
 
 of EASTERN SPLENDOR, by aniiual contribution 
 from the firft characlers in the kingdom, and called 
 *' SUBSCRIPTION HOUSES," to which Honc but their 
 own INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS are admitted under any 
 .plea whatever; and thefe, as private houfes, being 
 ABOVE THE LAW, any member pofTefTes, of courfe, 
 the privilege of ruining himfelf^ and reducing his 
 family to beggary^ without tranfgrelTing the laws 
 ■of HIS COUNTRY, or iucurriug the cenjure of his 
 beft and mod fafliionable friends. 
 
 GAME-KEEPERS— are perfons delegated by 
 legal prefcription, to provide game for the purpofes 
 of thofe by whom they are appointed, to preserve 
 and PROTECT it againil a clafs of adventurers (deno- 
 minated poachers) by night, as well as an unfair or 
 improper deftru8;ion of it by day. Every lord or 
 LADY of a MANOR are authorized, by writing under 
 their hands and feals, to empower a game-keeper 
 to kill within thefaid manor^ any hare, pheasant, 
 PARTRIDGE, Qx othcT game. If. however, fuch 
 game-keeper ftall Jell or difpofe of the game he 
 fhall fo kill, without the knowledge or tonfent of 
 the faid lord or lady, and fiiall be convicted, 
 upon the oath of one witnefs, before a Juflice of 
 Peace, he fhall be committed to the houfe of cor- 
 redion, and kept to hard labour for three months. 
 
 One game-keeper only can be appointed to kill 
 game within one manor ; in which he is authorized 
 
 X 4 .and 
 
312 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 and empowered, by his deputation, to take and 
 feize all guns, bows, greyhounds, fetting-dogs, 
 lurchers, ferrets, trammels, low-bells, hays, or 
 other nets, hare-pipes, fnares, or other engines, 
 for the taking and killing of hares, pheasants, 
 PARTRIDGES, or Other game, within the precinfts 
 of fuch manor, in the poifeffion of any perfon not 
 qualified to keep the fame. It does not appear by 
 this aa (23d Charles Second, c. xxv. f, 2) that a 
 GAME-KEEPER is cmpowercd to feize the game, aU 
 though he is authorized to take all inftruments in 
 life for the defiruQion of it. 
 
 By the 25th George Third, c. v.' f 2, every de- 
 futalion of a game-keeper granted to any perfon, 
 by any lord or lady of any manor in England or 
 Wales, i]:iall be regiftered with the Clerk of the 
 Peace of the county in which fuch manor lies ; 
 where he fiiall receive a certificate of fuch regiftry, 
 upon payment of one guinea, and one fliilling to 
 the Clerk, for the fame. A game-keeper omitting 
 to regiiier his deputation, and to take out his cer- 
 tihcate, for twenty days^ to forfeit twenty pounds. 
 The certificate muft be renewed annually; and 
 upon the appointment of a new game-keeper, a 
 oieio certificate mu'^ be taken out; and the perfon 
 formerly a6iing under the old certificate is no 
 longer qualijied to kill game^ but liable to all the 
 penalties of this a6l. 
 
 U 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. S13 
 
 In addition, a few general remarks may be life- 
 ful. A GAME-KEEPER having no other qualification 
 than his deputation and certificate^ is not entitled to 
 KILL GAME out of thc precin6ts of the manor for 
 which he is appointed. Nor is he empowered to 
 demand the name, or a sight, of the certificate 
 of any qualified perfon out of his own dillriO;; un- 
 lefs he is qualified to kill game in his own right, 
 (exclufive of his deputation,) and is poffeffed of 
 his three guinea certificate; in which cafe he 
 may do either or both. But let it be remembered, 
 that, although he is qualified to kill game in his 
 own right, and atts under a deputation for a certain 
 fpecified manor, he is liable to the penalty pre- 
 fcribed by the A8:, if he is informed againfl for, 
 and convicled of, killing game out of that manor, 
 "without being previouily pofleffed of the three 
 guinea certificate. Any game-keeper killing or 
 taking a hare, pheafant, partridge, or other game, 
 under colour of being for the ufe of the Lord of 
 the Manor, and afterwards selling and disposing 
 thereof, without the confent of the faid Lord of 
 the Manor, upon conviftion, on the complaint of 
 fuch Lord, and on the oath of one witnefs, before 
 a Juftice, fhall be committed to the houfe of cor- 
 redion for three months, and there kept to hard 
 labour. 
 
 GAME LAWS.— The laws framed for the 
 
 preservation of TH£ GAME, are, by the different 
 
 Acts 
 
314 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 Acts of Parliament, during feveral fuccceffive 
 reigns, become fo truly voluminous, and in many 
 inftances thought fo truly complex, that it is im- 
 pra6licable to reduce any moderate abridgement of 
 the whole within the intentional limits of this 
 Work. But as many of the former Afts (at leaft 
 many of the claufes in thofe Afts) though unre- 
 pealed, are in praQice almoft obfolete, it is pro- 
 pofed (divefted of legal tautology) to bring a re- 
 view of the exifting parts of the game laws as they 
 now itand, and as they are now aQed upon, into 
 as concife a point of view as the fubjeft will admit; 
 and fo perfectly free from ambiguity, as to be ren- 
 dered perfediy clear to the moft moderate compre- 
 henfion : at leaft as much fo, as can be expetted 
 upon LAv/s, that, after all the refinement of centu- 
 ries, after all the inveftigation and deliberation of 
 the different Legislatures, and the advantages de- 
 rived alfo from the fage opinions of the moft learned 
 in the law, are certainly lefs refpefted, and lefs 
 effectual, than any other part of the code to be 
 found in the ftatute books of this realm. Whether 
 it is, that they are lefs underftood, lefs palatable 
 to thofe interefted in their effed, or but feebly and 
 partially executed, is a matter only to be afcer- 
 tained by time, and fuch future arrangements as 
 may probably take place. 
 
 Perfons held legally qualified to kill game, muft 
 be in the full and undifputed poffeffion of a free- 
 
 HOLB 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 315 
 
 HOLD LANDED ESTATE, producing a clcar lOo/. per 
 annum ; or poffeffed of a leafe, or leafes, for ninety- 
 nine years, or any longer term, of the clear yearly 
 value of 150/. other than the heir apparent of an 
 Efquire, or other perfon of higher degree. Es- 
 . Qi/iRES, as defined by law, are the younger fons 
 of Noblemen, and their heirs male forever: the 
 four Efquires of the King's body : the elded fons 
 of Baronets, of Knights of the Bath, of Knights 
 Bachelors, and their heirs male in the right line, 
 A Justice of the Peace is alfo an Efquire for the 
 time he is in the commiffion, but no longer. 
 
 Perfons of higher degree than Efquires, are Co- 
 lonels, Serjeants at Law, and Doctors in the 
 three learned Profeffions; but neither Efquires, nor 
 any of thefe, are qualified to kill game, unlefs they 
 have the requifite eflate mentioned; though their 
 SONS are qualified without any eflate. This, how- 
 ever unreafonable it may feem, has been fully de- 
 cid-ed to be the true conflru6lion of the A8:. In 
 addition to every neceffary qualification by 
 estate, according to the confi:ru8:ion of all former 
 Acls, it is enabled, by 25th George Third, c. 1. f. 2, 
 That every perfon in Great Britain who fhall ufe 
 any dog, gun, net, or other engine, for the taking 
 or deftru6Hon of game, fhall every year, previoufly 
 to his ufing the fame, deliver in a paper, or ac- 
 count in \vriting, containing his name and place of 
 abode, to the Clerk of the Peace of the county 
 
 where 
 
5l6 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 %vhere he fliall refide, (or his deputy,) and annually 
 take out a certificate of having fo done, for 
 which he is to pay three guineas, and one fliilling 
 to the Glerk for his trouble in making ^out the 
 fame; which certificate fhall bear date on the day 
 whereon it is iffued, and remain in force from 
 thence until the firft [day of July then after, and 
 no longer. Such certificate may be demanded by 
 the unqualified as v/eli as qualified; and if the 
 Clerk of the Peace flia-ll refufe to grant fuch certi- 
 ficate when demanded, he is liabk to the penalty 
 of twenty pounds. 
 
 Any perfon, qualified or unqualified, who fliall 
 be in purfuit of game, without having obtained 
 fuch certificate, fliall be liable to the penalty of 
 TWENTY POUNDS. It IS alfo providcd in the faid 
 A61:, That every perfon having obtained a certifi- 
 cate, who (hall find any other perfon in purluit of 
 game alfo, it fliall be lawful for him (after having 
 produced his own certificate) to demand from fuch 
 other perfon, the certificate to him iffued of having 
 conformed to the faid Aci ; and on fuch demand, 
 fuch perfon Ihail produce fuch certificate, and per- 
 mit the fame to be infpcQed; and on refufing to 
 produce the fame, and alfo refufing to give his 
 Christian and Surname, and place of refidence, 
 or giving a falje name or place of refidencC; he 
 lliall forfeit the fum of fifty pounds. 
 
 It 
 
^PORTING DICTIONARY. 317 
 
 It Is to be obferved, that perfons taking out 
 A CERTIFICATE, wHo ai'c iiot qualified by former 
 A6ls to KILL GAME, dcrivc no privilege from their 
 certificate fo to do; but, neverthelefs, remain 
 liable to all the penalties of former afts, if in- 
 formed againft, and profecuted to conviclion. It, 
 however, appears, upon the experience of the lafl 
 feven years, that fince the privilege of killing game 
 has contributed fo largely to the exigencies of the 
 State, lefs litigation has prevailed upon the fcore 
 of PRESERVATION. Indeed, there is now fo little 
 fear of an information, that almoft every perfon 
 having taken out a certificate, erroneoufly con- 
 fiders himfelf ?2omn2^//)' entitled to kill; in full 
 confirmation of which, the 'lift of thofe who have 
 obtained certificates in the different counties, may 
 be infpeQed at the Stamp Office, upon the pay- 
 ment of oneJJiilling^ where will be found the names 
 of hundreds who do not individually polfefs an 
 independent twenty pounds per annwn upon the 
 
 face of THE GLOBE. 
 
 In all cafes where the penalty does not exceed 
 20/. the Justice of Peace fhall, upon information 
 or complaint, fummon the party and witneffcs to 
 appear, and proceed to hear and determine the 
 matter in a fummary way ; and, upon due proo^, 
 by confefTion, or the oath of one witnefs, give 
 judgment for the forfeiture; and iffue his warrant 
 for levying the fame on offenders goods, and to 
 3 fell 
 
318 SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 fell them, if not redeemed within fix days; render- 
 ing to the party what overplus there may happen 
 to be ; and if goods fufficient are not found to an- 
 fwer the penalty, the offender fliall (land com- 
 mitted TO PRISON ^ox fix calendar months^ unlefs 
 the penalty be fooner paid. Any offender feeling 
 himfelf aggrieved by fuch judgment, may, upon 
 giving fecurity, amounting to the value of the for- 
 feiture, with the cods of affirmance, appeal to the 
 next GENERAL QuARTER SESSIONS, wlicu it is to be 
 heard and finally determined; and in cafe the 
 judgment be affirmed, Seffions may award fuch 
 coils incurred by appeal as to themfelves ffiall feem 
 meet. Justices may mitigate penalties; fo that 
 the reafonable charges of officers and informers for 
 difcovery and profecution, be always allowed over, 
 and above mitigation, and fo as the fame does not 
 reduce the penalty to lefs than a moiety, over and 
 above the colls and charges. 
 
 Reflri6lions for killing game are as follow; No 
 PARTRIDGE to bc killed between the 12th of Fe- 
 bruary and ifl. of September, under a penalty of 
 riVE POUNDS. No PHEASANT betwecu the ift of 
 February and id of 06l:ober, under the like pe- 
 nalty. Grouse, or red game, only from Augud 
 12th to December 10th. Heath fowl, or black 
 game, from Augud 20th to December 10th. 
 Bustards from December id to March id. No 
 time is limited for the killing of hakes, provided 
 
 thev 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 319 
 
 they are not illegally taken. No game whatever 
 is to be killed or taken fooner than one hour be- 
 fore SUN rising, or later than one hour after sun 
 SET, under a penalty of 5/. to the qualified or un- 
 qualified. Killing game on Sunday, or Christ- 
 mas-day, liable to the fame penalty as killing game 
 during the night. 
 
 Any unqualified perfon expofing a hare, phea- 
 sant, partridge, or other game, to fale, is liable 
 to a penalty of 5/. Yor felling a hare, pheasant, 
 partridge, or other game, qualified or unquali- 
 fied, 5/. If either are found in the fhop, houfe, 
 or poffeffion of any poulterer, salesman, fish- 
 monger, COOK or pastry-cook, or of any perfon 
 not qualifixcd in his own right to kill game, or en- 
 titled thereto under fome perfon fo qualified, it 
 Ihall be deemed an expofing thereof to fale. 
 
 Unqualified perfons ujing any engine to kill or 
 deftroy hares, pheasants, partridges, or other 
 game, liable to a penalty of 5/. as well as keeping 
 and uJing greyhounds, setting dogs, or any 
 engines to kill or deilroy hares, pheasants, par- 
 tridges, or other game, are liable to a penalty of 
 5/. The keeping or if/ing being individually or 
 jointly liable to the forfeiture of 5/. as well as for 
 killing, fo it Ihould appear, from the plain con- 
 ftru8:ion of the Acls, that if the informations 
 are feparaiely laid, firft for " keeping and itfing^" 
 
 1 and 
 
5!210 SPORTING CICTIONARY, 
 
 and fecondly " for killing," convi61ion mud 
 inevitably follow for both, if fufficient evidence is 
 produced to confirm the offence. Informations 
 mud be laid within six calendar months, before 
 a Justice of Peace, or by aBion of debt, bill, 
 plaint, or information. The whole penalty to be 
 given to the informer, with double cojls^ if brought 
 on in \Vestminster Hall. Summary conviction, 
 half to the informer^ and half to the poor. Thefe 
 are the penalties annexed to former A8:s, indepen- 
 dent of the Atl refpefting annual certificates to be 
 taken out from the Clerk of the Peace, to kill 
 (or go in purfuit of) game; without which, incurs 
 £ivi additional penalty of 20/. to the unqualified, 
 making the forfeiture 25/. and of 20/. to the 
 qualified, who becomes only liable to that fingle 
 penalty, for killing, or attempting to kill, game 
 without the annual certificate fo prefcribed to be 
 taken out. 
 
 A qualified person cannot come upon another 
 man's ground to kill game, without being liable 
 to an ACTION for trefpafs ; and an unqualified 
 perfon for trefpafl^ing, fhall pay full cofts : but if 
 a perfon qualified to kill game, fuflains an action 
 for trefpafs^ and the damage fhall be found under 
 40s. he fliall in fuch cafe pay no more costs than 
 damages; this being a moll equitable conftrutlion, 
 to prevent paltry and perfonal litigations. It has 
 been decide 1 by the hLiheft legal authority, that 
 
 anv 
 
SPORTIXG DICTIONARY. 3^1 
 
 ^ny unqualified pcrfon may go out to beat hedges, 
 builies, and mark birds, in company with any qua- 
 lified perfon, to fee the game purfued and taken, 
 \vithoat being liable to any penalty, provided he 
 has no dog, gun, or engine, of his own, indivi- 
 dually, to affift in its de{trLi8:ion. 
 
 It would be unfair to conclude this fubje6l, 
 which has for centuries occafioned fuch a diverfity 
 of opinions amongfl: the superior classes, and 
 diffufed (o much difcontent amongfl the lower ^ 
 without fubmitting to both.^ a very emphatic and 
 literal extra6l from Judge Blackstone, in his 
 comment upon the Foreft Lav/s, in which he has 
 this particular paffage* 
 
 '' From a fimple principle, to which, though the 
 Forest Laws are now mitigated, and by degrees 
 grown entirely obfolcte, yet. from this root has 
 fprung a bajlard-flip^ known by the name of the 
 C/AME Lav.s. now arrived to, and wantoning- in, 
 its higheft vigour; both founded upon the fame 
 unreafonable notions of permanent property in 
 wild creatures, and produdive of the fame tyranny; 
 but with this difference, that the Foreit Laws efla- 
 bliflied only one mighty hunter throughout the 
 land; the- Game Laws have raifed a little Nimrod 
 in every manor." 
 
 Vol. L Y GAMES 
 
3^!2 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 GAMES OF ART — are thofe in which the 
 flsill, judgment, and penetration of the player are 
 immediately concerned, and upon which alone his 
 fuccefs mult entirely depend. In this clafs are in- 
 cluded Billiards, Chess, Draughts, Cricket, 
 Fives, Tennis, Bowls, and fome others, as well 
 as a few upon the Cards ; but as the latter are al- 
 ways fubjeft to DECEPTION, and completely fub- 
 fervient to ihtjlipping^ Jliding^ and cutting of the 
 moft familiar friends, (even in private families,) 
 they are, with propriety, much more entitled to 
 the appellation of chance than of art, particularly 
 where the unfufpe8:ing player has the perpetual 
 cA^wce of being robbed, without the mortification 
 of knowing the main-fpring of depredation. How- 
 ever expert thofe may be, who indulge and excel 
 in GAMES of ART, two things fliould ever be predo- 
 minant in memory ; always to play v/ith an inva- 
 riable philofophic patience and serenity, never 
 to feem afFefted by a temporary run of ill-luck or 
 momentary advantage, any more than agitated by 
 the exulting irritation of a fuccefsful opponent. 
 The run on one fide may as fuddenly be reverfed 
 to the other ; a chance that petulance and ill- 
 humour may probably deftroy. Prudent players 
 never engage in matches of any kind \^\\trt four or 
 more arc concerned, except amongft their moft in- 
 timate acquaintance ; particularly at the public ta- 
 bles of the Metropolis, where it is the cuftom for 
 three to poll one^ and divide rhe fpoils after the 
 
 PIDGEON 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 323 
 
 PiDGEON has been plucked; a very fafliionablc 
 mode of playing at both billiards and whist; 
 by which an infinity of necefTitous and unprincipled 
 adventurers procure a daily fubfiltencc. 
 
 GAMES OF CHANCE.— Thofe games are {o 
 called, which depend folely upon the turning up 
 of a CARD, or the uncertain " hazard of the die." 
 When fairly played, without any latent deception 
 on one fide or the other^ they are confidered truly 
 equitable between the players, who are then faid 
 
 *' to PLAY UPON THE SQUARE," withoUt a poiut of 
 
 advantage, the whole being dependent upon, and 
 decided by, the effect of chance. The celebrated 
 no6lurnal game of Hazard, at which fuch immenfe 
 property is annually lost and won, at the moft 
 fafliionable and powerfully-fupported gaming 
 HOUSES, is known to be the firfl: and faireft game 
 of chance, upon which an adventurer (determined 
 to encounter the probability of ruin) can poffibly 
 venture to stake his money: on the contrary, it 
 muft be admitted, that the torrent of villainy, and 
 unprincipled proftitution of affected integrity, have 
 made fuch rapid and unprecedented ftrides to per- 
 feftion, that the moft experienced sportsmen muft 
 defpair of being enabled to play upon the fquare^ 
 after fo many gamblers of fashion have, within a 
 few years, been detected with loaded dice in their 
 poffefTion. 
 
 Y 2 The 
 
3'24f SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 The game of E O, io plaufibly deludin<g 
 to all ciaires, particularly to ruftics upon the 
 different country courses and race grounds, is 
 the mo^H: deceptive^ and moil deJlruHive^ of any 
 ever yet difplayed for the purpofe of public attrac- 
 tion; it may be very candidly placed in a parallel 
 line with thofe low and i^afcally inventions of 
 HUSTLING in the hat, and pricking in the belt, 
 to both which an infinity of cunning countryvien be- 
 come infatuated dupes, to the great emolument and 
 gratification of that horde of mifcreants, who fub- 
 fift only upon the credulity and ignorance of the 
 inexperienced, avaricious, and unfufpefting. 
 
 GANGRENE — is a technical term^ ^vhich iu 
 farriery, as in surgery, implies the lirft ftage of 
 
 MORTUICATION Or PUTREFACTION. 
 
 GASCOIN, OR GASKIN,— of a horfe, is that 
 part of the hii>d quarter extending from the fiifle 
 (or inferior point of the thigh approaching the 
 belly) to the bend of the hock behind; upon the 
 fliape, ftrength, and uniformity of which, the pro- 
 perty, a8ion, and excellence of the horfe very 
 much depends. If the gaskins are wide, and di- 
 vide below the tail in a curvilinear arch on the in- 
 fide, with a prominent fwell of the mufcle on the 
 outlide, it is not only indicative of great ftrength, 
 but adds confiderably to the fymmetry and value 
 of the horfe, when viewed behind. A horfe well 
 
 formed 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 325 
 
 formed in the gaflcins, is Icldom badly fhaped in 
 the fore quarters; nor are they, in general, horfcs 
 of inferior adion; exckifive of which, they are 
 infured from the very aukward defect of cutting ; 
 no fmall inconvenience to a traveller with a 
 vjcary horfe upon a long journey. 
 
 GATE-NET. — A gate-net is a principal part 
 of \ht ftock in trade of an expert and experienced 
 poacher; and, in refpecl to hares, the mod de- 
 ftruftive notturnal inftrument that can be brought 
 into ufe. They, at a certain hour in the dead of 
 night, when hares are fure to be at feed, are fixed 
 to the third bar of the gates of fuch fields as have 
 green wheats young clover., or any other where 
 (by daily obfervation) they are known to ufe; 
 when being faftened to the ground under the lower 
 bar by means of wooden forked pegs, ^ lurcher is 
 turned over the gate, who having been trained to 
 the bufinefs, and running mitte^ fcours the field in 
 a circuitous direction ; when the viBims^ thus fud- 
 dcnly and unexpetledly alarmed, make imme- 
 diately for the gate, (by which they entered,) when 
 the dog being clofe at their heels, at leafl not far 
 behind them, they have no alternative, but to rufh 
 into the net, where becoming entangled, they meet 
 their deftruftion. In this way three or four hracc 
 are taken in a plentiful country at one adventure. 
 The only likely mode of rendering fuch attempts 
 abortive^ is by painting the lower bars of the gate 
 
 Y 3 zvJute^ 
 
326 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 whiie^ which will occafion the hares to fhun the 
 gateway, and have recourfe to their meufes ; if 
 GAME-KEEPERS and SPORTSMEN will but occafionally 
 examine which, to take up the well-intended wires^ 
 it will, at any rate, go a great way towards pre- 
 venting fuch incredible havoc and wholefale de- 
 ftrudion. 
 
 GAZEHOUND;— the name by which the fpe^ 
 cies of DOG we now term greyhound ^as formerly 
 called. With what propriety an animal of almofl: 
 every colour fliould be equally denominated grey^ 
 does not appear ; any more than at what particular 
 period the change in appellation may have taken 
 place. As the purfuit of the greyhound is en- 
 tirely hyjight^ and not hy f cent ^ it fhould feem that 
 GAZEHOUND would be the moil proper diftindion of 
 the two, and that the prefent is no more than a 
 perverfion from the original. 
 
 GELDING — implies a horfe diverted of liis 
 
 TESTICLES, by which he is deprived of the a6l of 
 COPULATION, and of farther propagation. For 
 particulars of the operation, fee Castration. 
 
 GIFT OF GOING— is a phrafe from the fub- 
 lime vocabulary of the horfe-dealing fraternity, 
 and implies a horfe's poiTeffing a much greater 
 portion o^fpeed in a5lion, particularly in trotting, 
 than could well be expected from his fliape and ex- 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 3Q7 
 
 ternal appearance. When a horfe is (licwn for 
 fale, having little to recommend him, rough in his 
 coat, low in condition, aukward in fliape, and 
 without a fingle point of attraction^ if he can fcram- 
 ble along at the rate of twelve or thirteen miles an 
 hour, he is then faid to^Doffefs the " gift of going,'* 
 which is to compenfate for every other deficiency, 
 
 GIMCRACK, — the name of a horfe who was of 
 great celebrity upon the turf, and for two or three 
 years beat moft of his time. He was foaled in 
 1760; got by Cripple, (a fon of the Godolphin 
 Arabian;} dam by Grisewood's Partner^ and his 
 pedigree was of the beft blood ; but being too fmall 
 for a ftallion of eminence, produced no winners of 
 ,note. He was followed by young Gimcrack, a 
 good horfe for give and take plates, particularly 
 at four heats. 
 
 GINGER — is an aromatic fpicy root, brought 
 to us from the East and West Indies, in a pre- 
 ferved as well as in its natural ftate. In the former 
 it is ufed as a ftomachic and fweetmcat by the fu- 
 perior orders : in the latter it is common in all the 
 fhops, confiding of flat-knotted branches, of which 
 the whitelt, and lead ftringy or fibrous, are the 
 beft. It is a very ufeful ingredient in many com- 
 pofitions for the internal difeafes of horfes, parti- 
 cularly in the flatulent cholic, commonly called 
 tret, Houfcs in the country, remote from towns, 
 
 Y 4 where 
 
32S SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 where horfes are ufed and fed upon peas haum, 
 and other winter fodder, frequently producing fuch 
 diforders, fliould never be without a fmall quantity 
 of this article : two ounces bruifed, and boiled in 
 AX.E or GRUEL, then drained off, and the liquor 
 given with a horn, would prove an excellent fub- 
 flitute for medicine upon many emergencies. 
 
 GIGS'; — a term almoli obfolete for what arc 
 now called flaps, a kind of flaccid flefliy enlarge- 
 ment on each fide a horfe's jaw, which, in his 
 maftication, frequently failing between the grinders, 
 is produclive of pain, and prevents the horfe from 
 eating. If they are long and thin, they may be 
 completely taken off by a pair of fciffars, and the 
 wounds waflied with a ftrong folution of alum in 
 water: if they are too flefhy and fubflantial for this 
 mode of extirpation, they may be (lightly fcarified 
 wdth a BisTORY, or abscess lancet, and after 
 having been left to bleed for a proper length of 
 time, may be (topped, and the parts conftringed by 
 tl\e folution already defcribed. 
 
 GIRTHS — are thofe well-known articles made 
 from woollen web, and ufed for keeping the faddle 
 in a fafe and proper poiition, Thefe, to prevent 
 gallixg, (hould be made of elastic, and not the 
 tight w'ove web, which being more rigid and harjli^ 
 is the more likely to lacerate during the heat d^Yidi 
 Jnciion of a long chafe, Obfervation fliould be 
 
 made 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 329 
 
 made that girths are never too fhort, To as to have 
 the buckle below the pad of the faddle, either on 
 one fide or the other; for want of which judicious 
 and fportfman-like attention, warblks, sitfasts, 
 and WOUNDS, very frequently enfue. 
 
 GIVE and take PLATES— are thofe where 
 the HORSES carry weight according to their height, 
 by the regulated (landard o^ four inches to a hand. 
 The fixed rules for a give and take are, that horfes 
 meafuring fourteen hands, are each to carry nine 
 Hone; above or below which height, they are to 
 carry feven pounds, more or lefs^ for every inch they 
 are higher or lovv'er than the fourteen hands 
 fixed as the criterion. — Example : a horfe mea- 
 furing fourteen hands, one inch and a half^ will' 
 carry nine ftone, ten pounds, eight ounces; a 
 horfe meafuring thirteen hands, two inches and a 
 half^ will carry only eight ftone, three pounds, 
 eight ounces; the former being one inch and a half 
 above the fourteen hands, the other one inch and 
 a half below it. The weight is, therefore, added, 
 or diminifhed, by the eighths of every inch, higher 
 or lower weight in proportion; and thefe plates 
 were fo exceedingly popular fome few years fince, 
 that very few country courfes were without one of 
 this defcription. 
 
 GLANDERS — is, perhaps, without exception, 
 the moll dreadful, and certainly deltrudive, difeafe 
 
 to 
 
3:J^0 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 to which the horfe is incident. No exertions have 
 been wanting on the part of the moft eminent pro- 
 feffional men (particularly in France) to difcover 
 the means of fuccefsfully countera6ling the juflly- 
 dreaded virulence of this diforder; but hitherto 
 with fo little the appearance of progrefs, that it is 
 almoft an invariable cuftom to render the fubjed 
 an immediate VICTIM to death, fo foon as he is 
 afcertained to have become the victim of disease. 
 There are never wanting speculators, or specu- 
 lative WRITERS, fo long as " a doubt remains to 
 hang a loop upon ;" and many of thefe both fpeak 
 and write as prompted by their pecuniary fenfations, 
 and the fale of the nostrum it is their perfonal in- 
 tereft to promote. Thefe, of courfe, promulgate 
 nat the probability, but the certainty^ of cure^ and 
 may, in fo doing, pofTibly prey upon the credulity 
 of thofe who are equally ftrangers to the origin of 
 this difeafe, its progrefs, its effefts, or its termina- 
 Xion, 
 
 After the great variety of opinions which have 
 taken place; after all the inveftigations made by 
 every clafs of the moft diligent inquirers in anato- 
 mical diffedions, as well as by various other means, 
 tjiree fa8:s are incontrovertibly eftabliflied : firft, 
 that the difeafe is infectious; fecondly, that it is 
 curable; and laftly, that the lungs of every 
 horse dying under the diforder^ or killed during it$ 
 frogrefs^ have been either partially, or totally, 
 
 deftroyed. 
 
 I 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 331 
 
 deftroyed. This demonftratcd beyond the power 
 of contradi6lion, what docs it prove ? Why, very 
 clearly, to the judicious and fcientific, who are in- 
 quifitive to experience, and open to conviction, 
 that this diforder is in direct affinity to the pulmo- 
 nary CONSUMPTION of the HUMAN SPECIES; but 
 
 that the horfe having no means of throwing off the 
 morbid matter by expeBoration^ as is the cafe with 
 us. Nature, in her ftrong and inexplicable efforts 
 for relief, propels the putrid difcharge through the 
 noftrils of the animal; whereas with the human 
 frame, the wajiing of the lungs paffes through, and 
 is difcharged by, the mouth; and this, to the ex- 
 perienced practitioner, and learned inquirer, will 
 hold forth the mofl unequivocal and fatisfa6lory 
 proof, that the glanders is a virulent consumption 
 of THE lungs, by the corrofive property of which 
 difcharge (become inveterate) the glandular paf- 
 fages are proportionally affefted. 
 
 Much judicious obfervation, and profeffional 
 knowledge, is requifite to difcriminate between this 
 difeafe, and Others bearing a part of its appearances : 
 many horfes are too haflily deemed glandered, 
 which are not Jo ; and others as ignorantly faid to 
 be labouring under a cold, and its confequence^ till 
 a whole ^ftable has been affe61ed, and every horfe 
 loft. The diftinguifliing traits are a difcharge from 
 one or both noftrils, of a vifcid, (limy, and foetid 
 matter, having a kind of greafy tinge upon the fur- 
 face: 
 
532 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 face: it is glutinous in its property, hanging to, 
 and becoming dry and barky, upon the internal 
 edges of the noftrils : it is white at the beginning, 
 and grows darker in proportion to the duration and 
 inveteracy of the difeafe; it becomes yellow, afli- 
 colour, green, and laftly, tinged with blood, at 
 which time, as well as before, it is dreadfully of- 
 fcnfive : previous ta this ftage, indurated tume- 
 factions have taken place under the jaws, the frame 
 is daily more and more emaciated, the eyes fink 
 gradually in their orbits, the appetite totally ceaies, 
 the body becomes almofl motionlefs, fecming a 
 mere Ureiefs trunk, till it falls to the ground a mafs 
 of perfect putrefaciion. 
 
 GNAVn'POST — was a country plate horse of 
 feme celebrity, winning fcveral for fome years in 
 fiicceffion. He was bred by Mr. Shaftoe; was 
 foaled in 1767; and got by Snap out of Mifs 
 Cranbourne^ who was got by the Godolphin Ara- 
 bian, and bred by the then great Duke of Cum- 
 berland. 
 
 GOLDFINDER;— the name of one of the 
 moll valuable and fuccefsful horfes ev^r bred or 
 trained in this kingdom : he beat nearly every 
 horfe of his time, and won almoll every ftakes he 
 ftarted for. He was bred by Mr. Shaftoe; foaled 
 in 1764; got by Snap; dam by Blank; grand- 
 dam by Regulus, and the fix preceding genera- 
 tions 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 333 
 
 tions by Arabians, Barbs, and Turks, up to the 
 natural Barb mare, couflituting one of the richcft 
 pedigrees in the annals of racing blood. 
 
 CODOLPHIN ARABIAN— was the pro- 
 perty of Lord Godolphin, and produced more 
 capital winners as a stallion, than any horfe that 
 covered before his time in this kingdom. His pro- 
 geny became equally eminent as ftallions, to the 
 whole of which are we principally indebted for the 
 unprecedented eminence and fuperiority of the va- 
 rious ftuds fo plentifully eltablifhcd in different 
 parts of the country. He was the fire of Cade, Re- 
 gulus. Blank, Babraham^ Bajazct^ and a long lift 
 of et cetera s. See Barbs. 
 
 " GOXE AWAY !"— is the exhilarating com- 
 municative holloa! from one fportfman to 
 another in stag or fox hunting, when the game 
 breaks from large coverts, and ^oes aioay ; at which 
 time, if it was not for this friendly rule, invariably 
 obferved, thofe who happen to be up the windy 
 would be inevitably thrown out, and the hounds 
 have got miles, before the moll diftant part of the 
 field knew any thing of the matter. To prevent 
 the mortif)'ing probability of which, thofe neax^ell 
 the chace and the hounds, inftantly vociferate the 
 enlivening fignal of, " gone away!" This being 
 repeated by the next in fucceffion, it is re-echoed 
 by a third, and fo on till it vibrates through the 
 
 whole 
 
334 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 whole chain; and it muft be acknowledged, there 
 is not a more gratifying moment in the progrefs of 
 a chafe, than to fee the diftant effort of every indi- 
 vidual, to recover his loft ground, and get in with 
 the hounds. 
 
 GORGED; — the common and vulgar term for 
 fwelled legs, when their enlarged and diftended 
 ftate has been occafioned more by Jevere and hard 
 work, than the effe6l of humours originating in a 
 iizey or morbid ftate of the blood. A horfe having 
 his back finews flufhed, and legs thickened, fo as 
 to go ftiort and ftiff in a6lion, but not broken down, 
 is faid to be gorged. Having the fame appearances 
 from humours, or a vifcidity of the blood, he is 
 then faid to h^foul^ and muft be relieved by pur- 
 gatives or diuretics, aflifted by a great deal of 
 hand-rubbing and regular friQion. Gorged horfes^ 
 fhould be bliftered, and turned out iu time, by 
 which they frequently get freJJi again : continued 
 at work too long, they break doiun^ and become 
 cripples. 
 
 ' GOULARD. — The aiticle fo well known by 
 this name, and fo conftantly brought into ufe upon 
 many emergencies, is the extract of lead; which 
 is prepared by, and may be obtained of, almoft 
 every druggift in the kingdom. Its excellent pro- 
 perties are univerfally admitted as a corroborant, 
 a REPELLENT, a SOLVENT, and an almoft infallible 
 
 remedy 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. , 335 
 
 remedy in wcli-proportioned topical applications to 
 inflammations^ Jlrains^ bruifes, or recent tumefac- 
 tions : but fome degree of profefTional knowledge, 
 and experimental praQice, is neceffary to infure a 
 probable certainty of efFe61. Upon the firft difcovery 
 of this article, it was brought into ufe in very [mall 
 quantities, and a teafpoonful or two only were di- 
 refted to be added to a quart of fpring water, which 
 was then termed Vegeto Mineral Water, and in cer- 
 tain cafes (particularly of the eyes) looked up to as 
 A SPECIFIC Long experience, and attentive ob- 
 fervation, have, however, juftified its utility in 
 Tfiuch /^?-^^r proportions, particularly with horses ; 
 where, in fevere ftrains, or long-ftanding lame- 
 nefies, lefs than four ounces to a pint of campho- 
 rated fpirits cannot be brought into ufe with any 
 expeftation of fuccefs. As a mild repellent to 
 
 SWELLINGS, BRUISES, WARBLES, &C. tWO OUHCCS of 
 
 the extract, two ounces of camphorated fpirits, 
 and a pint of water, will be a proper proportion. 
 In defluxions and inflammation of the eyes, one 
 ounce of each, with a pint and half of water, will 
 be found a very ufeful compofition. 
 
 GOURDINESS— is another ruftic or pro- 
 vincial term for swelled legs, but of a different 
 defcription, implying the kind of dropjical laxity 
 of the solids, fubmitting to prefTure, and recover- 
 ing from its indentation when the prefTure is re- 
 moved. This kind of fwelling is a gradual ap. 
 
 proach 
 
336 SPORTING DICTIOxNARY. 
 
 proach to the diforder called grease, at which it 
 will foon arrive, if not counterafted fpeedily, by 
 fuch EVACUANTS and alteratives as may be 
 thought moft applicable to the cafe. 
 
 GRASS — is that well-known produce of the 
 earth, which is the proper food for hoTfes in a flate 
 of nature, ease, and indolence; but not of fuffi- 
 cient nutritive property for horfes engaged in either 
 severe, laborious, or active exertions. Horfes 
 taken up from grafs, and put fuddenly to work, la- 
 bour under an immediate and perceptible difquie- 
 tude ; the contents of the inteftines are ibon eva- 
 cuated in a state of laxity, the frame difplays a 
 profufion of foul and foetid perspiration, the 
 body befpeaks its own debility, and the perfe- 
 verance of a few days demonftrates its emaciation. 
 To horfes having been whole months in conftant 
 ufe and work, alternately accuflomed to diurnal 
 drudgery, and the routine of the manger, grass, 
 with its conjunQive liberty, muft prove a fweet, 
 a comfortable, a proper, and a healthy change: it 
 not only, by its own attenuating property, propor- 
 tionally alters the property of the blood, but 
 affords, by the comforts of ease and expansion, 
 a renovation of elallicity and vigour to the relaxed 
 linews, the exhaufted fpirits, and the battered 
 fraa:ie. 
 
 To 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 537 
 
 To the penurious and the unfeeling (equally in- 
 fenfible) it is lufficient, that a horfe, worn to the 
 bone with conjlant work^ and xvant of Jood^ is 
 *' TURNED to grass" iu the winter, when there is 
 none to be eate?i ; or during the months of July and 
 August, when a horfe lofes more flesh by perfe- 
 cution from the flics (if not well protected by fliade, 
 accommodated with plenty of water, and an equal 
 plenty of grafs) than he can acquire by any advan- 
 tage arifing from liberty alone; which fome peo- 
 ple feem to conceive all that is required, and that 
 the poor animal, Camelion like, " can live upon 
 the air." It fhould be recolleded, that in the ani- 
 mal oeconomy, fubflance only can beget fubflance, 
 (fee Aliment;) and no horfe will be likely to ac- 
 cumulate flefli, or become fat, whofe means of 
 living are J?oor. 
 
 impoveriOied rufhy moors, and lank half rotten 
 autumn grafs^ (particularly after wet fummers.) 
 will prove much more likely to produce disease, 
 than produce condition* Thofe who turn out 
 horfes to grafs w^ith a cough upon them, parti- 
 cularly if from a warm stable in a cold feafon^ 
 may expeft to take them up with a fliort, huflcy, la- 
 boured afthmatic increafe of the original complaint, 
 or with tubercles formed upon the lungs; and thofe 
 who turn out in the winter feafon, with a hope of 
 obtaining the cure of cracked heels, or swelled 
 LEGS, may probably lake up with a confirmed 
 
 Vol. I. Z GREASE, 
 
338 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 GREASE, particularly if the conftitution fliould lean 
 a little to hlood^ and pedigree of that defcription. 
 
 The utility and advantages of phyfic were never 
 better underftood, or more clearly afcertained, than 
 at the prefent moment of general improvement : 
 experienced fportfmen, and rational obfervers, 
 however doubtful they may have been, are now 
 convinced of its propriety, and never deviate from 
 its pra6lice. They invariably cleanfe at the end of 
 the HUNTING SEASON, and repeat the ceremony 
 after taking their horfes up from grafs, previous to 
 getting them into condition. Let thofe who doubt 
 the confiftency, try the experiment, and they will 
 be foon convinced, how little one will be enabled 
 to ftand a winter's work with the other, 
 
 GRAVELLED.— A horfe is faid, by the lower 
 clafTes, to be gravelled, when broken particles of 
 flints^ or fmall pebbles^ are infinuated between the 
 outer SOLE of the foot and the web of the shoe. 
 This injury is feldom fuftained, but where the flioc 
 is formed too flat upon the inner furface^ (without 
 its proper protefting concavity,) when preiTing too 
 clofe, whatever extraneous fubftance gains ad- 
 miffion, is there confined, and, from the ftrifture, 
 has no poffible chance of extrication. The degree 
 of pain, or tendernefs, depends entirely upon the 
 mildnefs or feverity of the cafe, and the length of 
 its duration. The road to relief is the fame; the 
 
 fhoe 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARV. 339 
 
 flioe fliould be tenderly taken ofF, by one nail at a 
 time, in preference to tearing it off by main and 
 fudden force, (according to cuftom;) the fole 
 fhoidd be well fomented with good hot milk and 
 water, then covered with an emollient poultice 
 of linfeed powder, milk, and two table fpoonsful 
 of olive oil, letting the fame be repeated daily, till 
 the inflammation has fubfided, and the tendernefs 
 gone off; when the bottom of the hoof may be 
 hardened by two or three applications of a fponge 
 dipt in vinegar boiling hot before the shoe is re- 
 placed. 
 
 GREASE. — The grease is a diforder particu- 
 larly affecting the cart or draft horses of this 
 country, but is feldom or rarely obferved amongft 
 horfes of a fuperior defcription : its feat is cuta- 
 neous, and it firft difcovers itfelf by a flagnation of 
 the fluids, and a^ confequent inflammatory enlarge- 
 ment above and about the fetlock, attended with 
 pain and fliffnefs, more or lefs^ according to the 
 ftate of the fubjeft, or the fe verity of the attack. 
 If proper means are not immediately taken, and 
 judicioufly perfevered in, a degree of virulence, 
 much trouble, and tedious attendance, unavoidably 
 enfue. The flvin, by its preternatural diftenfion, 
 foon affumes a greafy kind of tranfparency, having 
 an irregular fcaly appearance upon the furface, 
 from whence (particularly v/hen put into action) 
 exudes a thin oily ichor, which, when become of 
 
 Z 2 ^ong. 
 
540 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 long duration, is frequently tinged with blood, 
 but always of a fiUhy unctuous property, and greafy 
 to the touch. 
 
 
 As it advances in unrellrained progrefs, it in- 
 creafes the growth of the hoof around the coronet, 
 rendering it of a/o/"^, fpongy^) and difcafed appear- 
 ance : by the corrofive and fcetid property of the 
 difcharge, it foon afFe6ls and putrifies the frog, 
 %vhich it centrically corrodes^ and lays the founda- 
 tion of canker in the foot. As it becomes more 
 inveterate, fo it proportionally extends itfelf, and 
 affefts the furrounding parts; the fmall apertures J 
 from whence the ferous ichor originally oozed, 
 now become malignant ulcers, interfered by 
 warty excrefcences, and watery bladders of a poifon- 
 ous appearance. Arrived by length of time, want - 
 of care, and probably by the ufe of improper me- 
 dicines, or injudicious treatment^, .at this its fecond 
 flage, it afiumes a more formidable appearance, 
 and every fymptom, as well as the limb, continues 
 to increafe : what were before only cadaverous 
 ulcers, now become (in a partial degree) barky 
 efcharSy intermixed \vith grozoing tetters^ from 
 amidft which trickles down, in Imoaking heat, the 
 acrimonious fanies, or corr«!pted matter, which 
 feems to excoriate as it paifes, and foon deprives 
 the part of hair; the little that is left ferving only 
 as fo many conductors, from whence flows in 
 ilreams the morbid matter, now become fo truly 
 
 offenfive. 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 341 
 
 offciifive, that a horfc, in fuch flate, fliould be fe- 
 parated from others, left fumes fo incredibly noxi- 
 ous fhould, from the miafma, lay the foundation 
 of difeafe with horfes perfe6lly found. 
 
 The GREASE may originate in either an internal 
 or an external caufe; as well as be tranfmitted by 
 hereditary taint (of sire or dam) from one genera- 
 tion to another. An impure and acrimonious ftate 
 of the blood, unattended to till it has acquired 
 morbid malignity, muft difplay itfelf in fome part; 
 and with horfes of the kind defcribed, it generally 
 appears in the extremities, where the circulation 
 is languid^ and the leajl able to make resistance. 
 Horfes too long continued in moors of long lanky 
 grafs, intermixed with rufhes, or in marshy mea- 
 dows of a fwampy foil, where, in the dreary 
 xnonths of autumn and winter, their heels are 
 never dry for weeks together^ is a very probable 
 foundation of permanent grease, or fome other 
 chronic complaint, the original caufe of which is 
 feldom adverted to, perhaps never recoUefted, Cu- 
 taneous diforders not properly eradicated by mer- 
 curials or ANTiMONiALS, but injudicioufly thrown 
 upon the circulation by repellents ; the fudden 
 abforption of a plentiful flow of milk, when a colt 
 is taken from the dam ; an extreme plethora, with 
 a fi?:ey vifcidity of the blood; or any of thofe 
 caufes which too much relax the texture of the 
 SOLIDS, or impovenili and ftagnate tiii: fluids, 
 
 Z 3 mav 
 
542 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 may be more immediately or remotely produftive 
 of this difeafe. 
 
 External causes alfo frequently give rife to its 
 appearance; a fudden check to perfpiration by 
 change of weather, or change of fituation, from 
 one ftable to another ; or from either to the exter- 
 nal air, by turning out to grafs from a warm and 
 comfortable ftable, unfavourably followed by a 
 fucceflion of cold nights, bleak winds, and rainy 
 weather ; w^afliing the heels in hard well water 
 after profufe perfpiration -, ftanding too conftantly 
 upon ftale and filthy dung, for days and nights, im- 
 pregnated with urine, fo evidently prejudicial to 
 the feet and frogs. Horfes fed upon grains are re- 
 marked to be much fubjefl to the diforder in a 
 flight degree, and this tendency is probably (Irength- 
 ened by a want of cleanly attention, or a little af- 
 fiftance from medicinal counteraction. 
 
 Much mifchief is frequently occafioned by the 
 rafh and injudicious interpofition of fome illiterate 
 pra6:itioner, who, with a degree of f elf -cunnings 
 (peculiar to profefTional ignorance,) piques himfelf 
 upon the fuperiority of his art, and confidently pro- 
 ceeds to oppofe the predominant efforts which Na- 
 ture has been induced to make for her own relief. 
 Influenced by the deceptive impreffion of imagi- 
 nary fuccefs, he begins with mild repellents^ drying 
 waJJies, fharp waters^ ftrong ajlringents, then Jlyp- 
 
 tics. 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 343 
 
 iics^ and laftly mercurial or vitriolic caujlics 
 and efcharotics^ where having reached the utmoft 
 extent of his fertile faculties, he is furprized, but 
 not MORTIFIED, at finding what he erroneoufly 
 thought a re7nedy hsis proved ten times worse than 
 the original difeafe. The Greafe, upon its firft 
 appearance, is, by a proper courfe of medicine, 
 and judicious management, very eafily fubdued, 
 and radically cured. In its fecond ftage, great 
 patience and perseverance is required; and no 
 expence fhould be fpared, or neceffary means 
 omitted. In the third and laft, death is prefera- 
 ble to any attempt at cure. 
 
 GREY. — The colour of a horse is fo called, 
 where dark-coloured or black hairs are propor- 
 tionally intermixed with white : fome of thofe are 
 beautifully mottled upon the rump, down the hind 
 quarters, and acrofs the gafkins, and are then called 
 DAPPLED GREYS. It is admitted by the old proverb, 
 and verified by all opinions, that " a good horfe 
 can never be of a bad colour :" there is, however, 
 an exception to the adage, in a white or a light 
 grey ; for, by laying down with the hind quarter^ 
 on one fide or the other, in the dung newly fallen, 
 it is no uncommon thing to have a daily waJJiing^ 
 and dryings before a horfe of fuch colour can be 
 taken out of the liable either to work or to exer- 
 cise. 
 
 Z 4 GREYHOUND.. 
 
344 SFORT1N& DICTIONARY. 
 
 GREYHOUND.— The particular fpecies of 
 DOG pafling under the denomination of greyhound, 
 was formerly called gazehound, and is at the 
 prefent day more univerfally known by the appeW 
 iation of long dog in many parts of the kingdom. 
 The breed has been at all times carefully cultivated 
 by the lovers of courfing, but has never been 
 brought to fo great a degree of enthufiaftic perfecr 
 tion, as fince the eftablifliment of the different 
 COURSING CLUBS and SOCIETIES in Norfolk, Effex, 
 Berkfliire, and the Flixton Wolds of Yorkfhire, 
 The members of each have, with an unremitting 
 perfeverance, endeavoured to excel each otheF 
 with an unalloyed fpice of sporting emulation : 
 the late Lord Orford; the Marquis of Town- 
 send; Colonel Thornton, of Thornville Royal; 
 Major Topham, of the Wolds, and the Reverend 
 H. Bate Dudley, of the Bradwell and Tillingham 
 Club, in Effex, are thofe who have excelled every 
 competitor, and improved the breed to the highed 
 ppfliblc ftate of perfection. 
 
 Czarina was bred by the late Lord Orford; 
 Jupiter and Claret^ by Colonel Thornton; 
 Sroowhall^ by Major Topham; Miller^ by the 
 Reverend H. B. Dudley; and Schoolhoy, by the 
 celebrated Mr. (Vauxhall) Clarke. Czarina, the 
 grand-cjam. pf Snowball, was purchafed at the late 
 Lord Orford's fale by Colonel Thornton, with an 
 intent to improve the breed, in which he was not 
 
 difappointed. 
 
SPORTIXC DICTIONARY. 345 
 
 difappointed. She won forty-seven matches in 
 Norfolk, Wiltfnire, and Yorkfliire, and never wa3 
 beat. She difplayed no figns of producing pro- 
 geny till thirteen years old, when flie brought forth 
 eight xuhelps, got by Jupiter^ who all lived, ancj 
 ran in high form. 
 
 Snowball was got by Claret, (one of the eight 
 whelps of Czarina,) and fuppofed to be, taken 
 " for all in all," the fureft dog to kill and take up 
 that ever ran. He won four cups, couples, and 
 upwards of thirty matches ; one of which was fo 
 fevere, that his opponent (a dog of Mr. Plumer's) 
 died immediately after the courfe. Claret was go; 
 by young Jupiter, out of old Czarina ; he chal- 
 lenged all Yorkfhire. which was twice accepted; one 
 match he won ; and received forfeit for the other. 
 
 That truly celebrated dog, the Miller, was 
 fo large, awkward, and clumfey, when a puppy, 
 that he had been nearly thrown afide, and not 
 thought worthy of being brought into the field; 
 but a friend of Mr. Dudley's having borrowed him, 
 took him to the Marfhes at St. Ofyth, where, at 
 only twelve months old, he won feveral matches in 
 one day againft the beft dogs in the field. Having 
 thus accidentally ran himfelf into reputation, he 
 \va^, at his return, introduced to more powerful, 
 at lea ft more popular, opponents, where, however, 
 he for SEVEN years maintained his fuperiority, 
 during seventy-four fucceffive matches, without 
 
 3 having 
 
346 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 having been beaten. He is at prefent a ftallion in 
 great eftimation, as all the ftock he has yet pro- 
 duced are excellent runners. 
 
 Schoolboy was of great celebrity; he was bred by 
 Sir C. Bunbury, and got by Dr. Frampton's Fop^ 
 out of Sir Charles's Mifs : he ran a great number 
 of MATCHES for vcry confiderable fums, particularly 
 over Nev^^market, and never wdL^ heat. Several of 
 his get have been fold for twenty guineas each, as 
 Troy^ Traveller^ and Lilly ; all very good runners. 
 
 Mr. Daniel, who, in his " Rural Sports," 
 has given moft beautiful and admirably executed 
 portraits of Czarina^ Maria, Venus^ and Claret^ 
 engraved by Scott, has alfo introduced the follow- 
 ing, as a criterion of comparative fpeed between 
 the race-horfe and the greyhound. " A match was 
 to have been run over Doncafter courfe, in the 
 December of 1800, for one hundred guineas; but 
 one of the horfes having been drawn, a mare ftarted 
 alone, to make good the bet, and, after having 
 gone the diftance of about a mile, a greyhound 
 bitch ftarted from the fide of the courfe, and ran 
 with her the other three miles, keeping nearly head 
 to head, which produced a fingular race ; and when 
 they reached the diftance poft, five to four was 
 betted on the greyhound; when they came to the 
 ftand, it was even betting;, but the mare won by 
 about a head." 
 
 A variety 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 347 
 
 A variety of fingular occurrences refpeQing the 
 invincible ardour and velocity, as well as perfe- 
 vering fortitude, of greyhounds, might be intro- 
 duced, but a few mufl fuffice. In February, 1800, 
 a BRACE of GREYHOUNDS courfcd a hare upwards of 
 four miles in a ftraight line from where fhe was 
 found, (exclufive of turns,) when flie ran herjelf 
 dead before fhe was touched by the dogs. 
 
 A famous dog of the Reverend Mr. Corfellis, 
 who chanced to be wind-bound at Dover, courfed 
 a hare, who had beat a variety of purfuers in that 
 neighbourhood, when the dog proved fo fuperior 
 to her in fpeed, and preffed her fo clofe, that Ihe 
 ran immediately for the cliff, as her only chance of 
 efcaping; but the greyhound threw at, and caught 
 her at the brink, going with her in his mouth to the 
 bottom of the precipice^ where they were literally 
 dajlied to pieces. In 1797, a brace of greyhounds 
 courfed a hare over the edge of a chalk-pit, at OfF- 
 ham, in SufTex, and both hare and dogs were found 
 dead at the bottom. In December, 1794, a company 
 of gentlemen were courhng at Finchingfield, in 
 Effex, when a hare was ftarted, and a brace of 
 greyhounds ftarting from two different points, ran 
 againft each other with fo much violence that they 
 both died on the fpot. 
 
 The greyhound is always mild and inoffenfive, 
 and his fidelity cannot be better defcribed than in 
 
 the 
 
348 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 the words of the unfortunate Charles I. who 
 faid, amidil his courtiers, during his troubles, that 
 "the GREYHOUND had all the good-nature of the 
 SPANIEL, without \\\s fawning.'' 
 
 GRIPES. — The diforder this term is meant to 
 imply, is more properly diftinguiihed by the ap- 
 pellation of INFLAMMATORY CHOLic, and is much 
 more painful and dangerous than that fpecies of in- 
 teflinal complaint known by the name of flatu- 
 lent CHOLIC, or fret. The inflammatory cholic, 
 or GRIPES, proceeds from a painful obftru8;ion in 
 the inteftines, occahoned by an accumulation of 
 indurated excrement, which muft be mollijied^ and 
 removed^ before ease can be obtained. In cafes of 
 this kind, no time fhould be loft, the inteftines 
 being preternaturaliy diftended beyond the original 
 intention of Nature, the pain is moil excruciating, 
 the ftate of the animal dreadful ; and, unlefs relief 
 is very fpeedily procured, inflammation of the 
 sowELS immediately comes on, MORTiFiCATiOij 
 follows, and death enfues. 
 
 GROGGY — is a knowing term., peculiar to the 
 lower order of llabularian and horfe-dealing gentry, 
 and implies 2itendernefs and de/e^ in aclion, either 
 from a chest or foot founder, or an injury fuf- 
 laincd in the back /Inezes^ as mentioned under the 
 head Gorged. Horfes of this defcriptipn, although 
 they come apparently cri-ppled g^m' of the liable, 
 
 yct^ 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY- 543f 
 
 yet, when the circulation is increafcd by aaion, 
 and the (lifFnefs gone off as the perfpiration comes 
 on, their exertion is incredible, and their endurance 
 of fatigue beyond conception. Thefe are the kind 
 of horfes by which the inferior kind of jobbers 
 obtain a livelihood, in fupplying the post-work 
 upon the roads^ and the hackney coach-mastePxS 
 of the Metropolis, 
 
 GROOxVI — is the appellation by which a perfon 
 is known who is a complete and perfed mafter of 
 every part of liable difcipline; if he is not fo, it is 
 a proftitution of the word to admit the term ; and 
 in any other point of view, he can rank in no 
 other degree than a co7n7no7iJl able -hoy. The quali- 
 fications necefTary to form a groom of fuperior ex- 
 cellence, are almoll as numerous and diftinguifliiug 
 as thofe adm.itted to be requifite for the forma- 
 tion of a MINISTER of state: obedience, fidelity, 
 patience, mildnef>, diligence, humanity, and ho- 
 ,nefty, are equally indifpenfible; v/ithout the whole 
 of which, he may be entitled to the denomination 
 of a ft rapper in a flabie-yard ; but will never prove 
 worthy to be thought a groom. 
 
 If a groom is judicious, honeft, and induftrious, 
 intending DUTY to his master, andjufticeto him- 
 felf, he will never be prevailed upon to undertake 
 more than he can perform : the master who wifhes 
 It, will always be iiiftrumental to his own d^jception 
 
 and 
 
350 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 and difappointment. Thofe who exped grooms 
 to drefs hair, as well as their horfes; or to leave 
 the latter xott and dirty^ or half drefTed, in the 
 ftable, while they dance attendance at the back of 
 the chair, daring the hour of dining^ mufl be con- 
 tent to fee their horfes in tipal condition with thofe 
 of the DANCING, MUSIC, and drawing masters, fo 
 frequently feen, in all weathers^ {landing the dif- 
 confolate hour, at different doors, in almoft every 
 refpe8:able ftreet of the Metropolis. 
 
 The department in which a groom is placed, if 
 the ftud is valuable, mufl always be confidered an 
 office of very confiderable trufl ; where great con- 
 fidence is placed on one side, and ilrift integrity 
 fhould be obferved on the other. It is upon the 
 fobriety, fleadinefs, and invariable pun6iuality, of 
 the groom, that the health, safety, and con- 
 dition, of every horfe depends; and by his incef- 
 fant attention only can they be infured. Grooms 
 (at leafl thofe completely qualified to be termed fo) 
 are men who, from the arduous tafli they fland en- 
 gaged in, the variegated nature of their fervitude, 
 and the property entrufled to their care, lay claim, 
 and are entitled to, (their fobriety^ Jieadinefs^ fide- 
 lity^ 3ind punHuality, once eftablifhed,) all the equi- 
 table pecuniary compenfation, and perfonal kind- 
 nefs, their employers can poffibly beflow. 
 
 Grooms 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 351 
 
 Grooms and coachmen, deprived o^ free agency 
 by their fituation in life, and doomed to eat the 
 bread of dependence, exijl to aft folely upon com- 
 pulfion; they receive (fometimes the moft fiiperci- 
 lious) injunftions only to ohey^ and are not per- 
 mitted the privilege of either remonftrance or ex- 
 poftulation. Tacitly fubmiflive, they encounter 
 the feverity of the elements at all hoiirs^ and in all 
 feafons; and what fhould more influence the re- 
 flefting mind in their favor, is, that when the in- 
 clemency of the weather compels the rich and 
 OPULENT to take ilielter under the roof of hospi- 
 tality, fervants muft bear the " pelting of the 
 pitilefs ftorm" unprote6led ; and when a fatiety of 
 pleafure drives the reluftant frame of their fu- 
 periors to the downy pillow of nofturnal relief, 
 their taflc as yet " is but half performed," and not 
 unfrequently, till the broad fun ferves only to re- 
 mind them of a fpeedy renewal of their daily la- 
 bour. 
 
 Thefe obfervations are impartially introduced, 
 to demonftrate their utility in the great fcale of 
 OPULENT SOCIETY, as wcll as to bring home to the 
 refleaion of the illiberal and penurious^ palpable 
 conviaion how highly they ftand entitled (upon 
 many particular occafions, and diftrefTing emergen- 
 cies) to their falutary tendernefs and kind confi- 
 deration. It fhould be alv.^ays held in remembrance 
 by supERiORSs that the fervices are reciprocal ; and 
 ? that. 
 
3j2 SPbRTINO DIGTIONARY. 
 
 that, in ftrift truth and candour, the obligation is 
 no greater on one Jide than the other. Gratitude 
 and AFFECTION is much more likely (in a good 
 foil) to be excited by kindnefs than feverity ; and 
 inftances are very rare of a servant's fidelity hav- 
 ing been obtained^ or preferved^ by the unkind 
 treatment, or unjuft rigidity^ oFthe master. 
 
 Grooms of a certain defcription are, in general^ 
 too much difpofed to a degree of felf-confequence, 
 and ftudioufly endeavour to obtain an ascendancy 
 in the ftabularian department, to which, if the 
 mafter imprudently and pufillanimou/ly fubmits, he 
 becx)mes in fome degree a non-entity, and bids 
 adieu to every particle of power upon his own 
 premifes. The groom once poffefled of this power ^ 
 and confcious of the ground he (lands upon, be- 
 comes fo confident of his own imaginary fuperio- 
 rity, that the mafter is little more than an inftru* 
 ment of mere palTive convenience; barely permitted 
 to think^ hardly prefuming to speak, or, in fa 61, 
 daring lo obtrude ah opinion even where his own 
 horfes, their health, and fafety, are concerned. 
 Grooms, fo long as they continue to execute the 
 truft repofed in them with fidelity, that is, with 
 care^ kindnefs^ punBuality^ and attention to their 
 iioRSES, and a dutiful attachment to their em- 
 ployers, will ever find themfelves refpeBed; but 
 when, from a falfe. ridiculous, and ill-founded 
 confidence, they exceed the bounds of confiftency, 
 
 and 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 353 
 
 find go beyond their own fphere, in an affected 
 knowledge of the property of medicine, quacking 
 their mailers' horses, and becoming Jelf-coined 
 Veterinarians^ they, in the eye of every judicious 
 obferver, abandon their own merits, and render 
 thenifelves objeds of both pity and contempt. 
 
 This affetlation of medical knowledge is {6 
 very prevalent with Jlahdarian gentlejnen, that they 
 fiipport it with a great degree of irritable tenacity; 
 and would fooner hnve even their honesty, than 
 their medical ability called in quedion. To Hem 
 the torrent of this dangerous pratticc) fliould be 
 the firft principle, and perfevering determfnation^ 
 of every gentleman, who expe6h to fee his horses 
 in good condition, and his fervants in a ftate of 
 uniJorwAty : and if he wiflies to fhield himfelf from 
 fnental difquietude, and his horfes from perpetual 
 perfecution, he will lay a ferious injunQion, that 
 no medicine^ or nojlrum^ whatever, Jhall be ad- 
 miniftered to any horfe or horfes under the groom's 
 care, without the master's acquiefcence firft had 
 and obtained. 
 
 If GENTLEMEN Will coiidefcend to give the fub- 
 jecl a trifling confideration, they will inftantly per-^ 
 ceive, that the fymptoms of difeafe, the ftate of 
 the body, the languor or velocity of the circula- 
 lion, and the property of the blood itfelf, muft re- 
 quire a greater degree of scientific investiga- 
 
 Vol, L a a Tio;y, 
 
OO-i SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 TioN, than people of this defcription have the 
 power of going into ; from which palpable fa8: 
 may be inferred, the fole reafon why they fo often 
 mifcarry in their experiments, and fo frequently 
 render that a matter of permanent difficulty, which, 
 properly treated^ would have proved no more than 
 a mere temporary inconvenience. 
 
 Grooms (as well as Coachmen) fhould have it 
 flrongly impreffed on their memory, and never lofe 
 fight oF the refledion, that by a flight, or almoil 
 momentary, deviation from the line of re6litude, 
 in either error^ inattention^ inadvertence^ or negUB^ 
 injuries may be fuliained that neither months or 
 money can repair. Their minds fhould be always 
 alive to the intereft of their employers; they fliould, 
 in all feafons (but more particularly in the colder 
 months) have it in perpetual recolleftion, that 
 COLDS are fooner caught than cured ; that swelled 
 LEGS, and CRACKED HEELS, are much eafier obtained 
 than obliterated ; that lameness (either by accident 
 or indifcretion) is eafier got than gotten rid of ; and 
 that bad eyes are much more frequently the efre6l: of 
 a carelefs or a malicious blow^ than of " humours," 
 to which they are upon all occafions fo induf- 
 trioufly attributed. 
 
 Colds and coughs are fuddenly acquired, and 
 by means at the time but little thought of, till the 
 event firil prompts^ and then reproaches retrofpec- 
 
 tion. 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY4 35S 
 
 lion. A horfc in fine condition, ftanding in a 
 warm and comfortable ftable when at home^ is al- 
 ways liable to inconvenience abroad; accidentally 
 expofed to a long^ wet. and ^/r/jv journey, or a fe- 
 vere chafe in fharp winds and unfavourable weather^ 
 with a cold and comfortlefs ftable after either, he 
 infures it almoft to a certainty^ without incelfant 
 care and unremitting circumfpedion. A horfe 
 after one or the other, fliould never be left one vii- 
 7iute without the precaution of fubftantial and un- 
 wearied wifping, fo long as a wet or damp hair is 
 to be found about him. He fliould never be per- 
 mitted to ftand ft ill in rain, even with hounds, fo 
 great is the danger of throwing the perfpirative 
 ma.llcv fudd en ly upon the circulation; thereby 
 Gonftituting ajizey vifcidity of the bloodj and lay- 
 ing the foundation of various difeafes. 
 
 Horses kept in good ftyle, fliould never have 
 their cuttomary cloathing reduced, but with the 
 ftrifteft care and attention : the internal air of a 
 ftable fhould be regulated, and its temperature 
 equally preferved entirely by t\it flat e of iht feafon^ 
 (or, in other words, by the season of the year;) 
 and external air ftiould never be additionally ad- 
 mitted in cold and chilling winds, but with the 
 greateft circumfpeftion; as it is to be remembered, 
 it is not the admiffion of fuch air in itjelf alone, by 
 which the injury is fuftained, but by the contraft 
 A a 2 w 
 
356 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 it conftitutes, when oppofed to the previous warmt 
 of the liable. 
 
 GROUSE ; — the name ofa horse who prom i fed 
 much celebrity on the turf. He was bred by the 
 Duke of Grafton, and was got by Highfiyer out 
 of Georgina^ who was got by Matchem^ and was 
 own fiRer to ConduHor, He was foaled in 1790 ; 
 and at three years old beat Monkey, Silver, Tick, 
 JEacus, Agamemnon, Black Pujs, Edwin, Rally, 
 and Mr. Vernon's filly by Florizel out of Eve, 
 three miles over the Beacon; but foon after falling 
 lame, he became a stallion in the Duke's poITef- 
 fion, and having already produced Chuckle and 
 Firji Fruits, both good runners, he is in confiderable 
 eftimation, and w^ill no doubt contribute to turf 
 jtock with increafing reputation. 
 
 GROUSE, or red GAME,— that fpecies of 
 game for the proteftion of which the Legiflature 
 has provided, is a native inhabitant of hills and 
 mountains, difficult of accefs, and much more 
 common to the remote than the centrical parts of 
 the kingdom. They are beautiful in the variega- 
 tions of their plumage, but inferior to the phea- 
 sant (particularly the cock) in both feather and 
 fize. They are included with pheasants and par- 
 tridges in every aft for the preservation of 
 GAME } but differ individually in refped to the time 
 
 limited 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 557 
 
 limited for the commencement and termination of 
 the fliooting feafon. 
 
 It isenaQcd by the 13th George Third, c. Iv. f. 2, 
 That no perfon fhall kill^ dejlroy^ carry^ fell^ huy^ 
 or have in his pojfejjion^ any grouse, commonly 
 called RED GAME, between the ttnth day of Decem- 
 ber and the twelfth day of Augiiji in any year, upon 
 pain of forfeiting, for the Jirji offence^ a fum not 
 exceeding 20/. nor lefs than 10/. and for the fecond, 
 and every fuhfequent offence^ a fum not exceeding 
 30/. nor lefs than 20/. one nioiety thereof to go to 
 the informer, and the other moiety to the poor of 
 the parifh : and in cafe the penalty be not paid, 
 and there be no diftrefs to be had, the offender may 
 be committed to prifon, to be kept to hard labour 
 for any time not exceeding six, nor lefs than three 
 
 MONTHS. 
 
 And for the further prefervation of both black 
 GA.ME and GROUSE, or RED GAME, it is enabled. 
 That any perfon who fliall, between iht fecond Ad^y 
 of February and the twenty -fourth day of June, in 
 any year, burn any grig^ ling, heath, furze, gofs, 
 or fern, on any mountains, hills, heaths, moors, 
 forefls, chafes, or other waftes, fhall be committed 
 to the houfe of correclion for any time not exceed- 
 ing one month, nor lefs than ten days ; there to be 
 whipped, and kept to hard labour. 
 
 Aa 3 GUN. 
 
55S SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 GUN.- — A GUN is that well-known inftrument of 
 pleafure ufed in the deftruClion of game, for the 
 privilege of carrying which, its devotees voluntarily 
 contribute fo largely to the exigencies of State, and 
 the fupport of Government. Fashion, that great 
 centre of fluctuation, has in this, as in almofi: every 
 thing elie, wrought a very confiderabie change. 
 Guns formerly in ufe for this purpofe, were prin- 
 cipally con{lru6led from three feet eight and ten in- 
 ches, to five and even fix feet in the length of the 
 barrel only ; which, by the effeft of conftantly in- 
 creafing ingenuity and perfevering invention, are 
 now reduced to a ftandard varying but little below 
 two feet nine, or alove three feet and an inch; 
 thefe having been improved to fuch a degree of 
 perfeclion, as to bring down a bird from forty to 
 SIXTY yards dijlancc ; and at no greater would any 
 SPORTSMAN wifh to put a gun to his fhoulder. 
 Guns with longer barrels are generally appropriated 
 to the kiWmgo^ water fowl ^ and are called fowling- 
 pieces. 
 
 HACK. 
 
SPORTI.N'G DICTIONARY. 359 
 
 H. 
 
 HACK. — Any horfe appropriated to every kind 
 of purpofe, (and upon which no great eftimation or 
 value is placed,) it has been the cuftom for time 
 immemorial to diftinguifh by the appellation of 
 HACK. Cuftom, however, has permitted a flight 
 deviation from a praQice of long {landing, and 
 A HACK is now generally underftood to imply the 
 idea of a hired horfe ; that is, a horfe the property 
 
 of a HACKNEY-MAN, JOB Or POSTMASTER, who IctS 
 
 out horfes by the day, week, or month, and who is 
 obliged to take out an annual licence for permiffion 
 fo to do, paying five shillings for the fame : doing 
 which without a licence, renders him liable to a 
 penalty of ten pounds. 
 
 Hack horses, whether for riding or drawing,- 
 ufed in travelling pod, are individually liable to a 
 duly o^ one penny halfpenny per mile, for as many 
 miles as fuch horfe fliall be engaged to travel 
 within a day, or any lefs time; but where the dif- 
 tance cannot then be afcertained, one JJiilling and 
 ninepence lliall be paid for each horfe fo hired. 
 This duty is demanded by the perfon letting the 
 horfe or horfes to hire, who, upon receiving fuch 
 payment, ihall deliver to the perfon fo hiring, one 
 
 A a 4 or 
 
560 
 
 SPORTING DICTIONARY 
 
 or more stamp-office tickets, under a penalty of 
 
 TEN POUNDS. 
 
 HACKNEY,— in the general acceptation of the 
 word with the sporting world, is a horfe fuperior 
 to all others upon tlie score of utility; beinp^ 
 rendered fubfervicnt to every office of exertion, 
 fpeed, and perfeverance, or, in other words, to all 
 the drudgery and labour of his fituation, from which 
 his cotemporaries, the racer, ihi^ hunter, and the 
 charger, by the imaginary fuperiority of their 
 qualifications, and pampered appearance, are al- 
 ways exempt. It is the peculiar province of the 
 jiACKNEY to carry his mafler twelve or f ft ten rnWts in 
 an hour to covert, (where the hunter is in waiting.,) 
 and fometimes to bring back the groom with ftill 
 greater expedition, whofe engagements may pro- 
 bably have occafioned him to be much more in 
 hajle than his master. It is in the department of 
 the HACKNEY to encounter and overcome emergen- 
 cies and difficulties of every defcription : his con- 
 ilitution fliould be excellent, and his fpirit invin- 
 cible; he muii be enabled to go five-and-twenly or 
 thirty miles at a ilage, wjthout drawing hit^ and 
 \vithout the lead, refped to the depth of the roads^ 
 pr the dreary Hate of the weather; and if he is no^ 
 equal to any zceight^ in thefe trifling exertions^ he 
 ^vill be held in no ellimation as a hackney of 
 F4-Shion« 
 
 HACKNEY^ 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 36l 
 
 HACKNEY-MEN.— Thofe fo called arc the 
 proprietors of coaciils, chaises, and horses, for 
 the accommodation of the public, and of whom 
 ^inay be obtained vehicles of fuch defcription for 
 any length of time required. They are fubje8: to 
 a LICENCE ANNUALLY, and various duties upon the 
 different carriages, all which are clearly explained 
 in concife abftrafts (called "tax tables") from 
 the A6ls of Parliament upon this particular fubjetl. 
 
 HAIR, — with which the frame of the horfe is fo 
 completely covered, and more familiarly termed 
 COAT, is, in general, indicative of the good or ill 
 ftate of the horfe; not only in refped to health, 
 but to his CONDITION, for whatever work he may 
 be defigned. If the fubjed is (leek in his coat, 
 w^ith a gloffy fliining furface, foft and pliable in the 
 ilvin ; not tight upon the ribs, as if firmly adhering 
 to the fide ; no enlargements upon the lower joints 
 of the legs, nor any profufe and faint perfpiration 
 upon moderate work, the blood may be pro- 
 nounced in a HEALTHY STATE, and the horfe in 
 fair and good condition. 
 
 . If, on the contrary, the coat is rough, hollow, 
 flaring different ways, of a variegated hue, with a 
 tinge of dufl or fcaly fcurf beneath the furface, the 
 perfpirative matter has been thrown upon the cir- 
 culation by a collapfion of the porous fyftem, the 
 l^lood is becorne fizey, and difpofed to morbidity, 
 
 in 
 
S6'2 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 in proportion to the preternatural weight by which 
 it is overloaded, and the obRru8:ions it has to en- 
 counter in its paffage through the finer vefTels, oc- 
 cafioned by the languor of the circulation. 
 
 It is no uncommon thing for horses in tolerable 
 GOOD CONDITION to go all to picccs^ particularly in 
 the autumn months, without the lead caufe to be 
 affigned, the leaft reafon to be fuggefted, by either 
 MASTER or GROOM. Certain it is, that to two fuc- 
 ceffive a6ls of indifcretion, (or error in judgment,) 
 this very prevalent defect may be attributed, with- 
 out the leaft fear of being at ali wrong in the con- 
 clufion. Grooms and coachmen, in general, to- 
 tally unmindful of the great heat of their ftables 
 during the night, throw open the doors immediately 
 upon coming in the morning, (regardlefs of even 
 
 Jroji or fnow^J and frequently fo continue during 
 the whole ceremony of " mucking out" and carry- 
 ing away the dung, if not with the addition of 
 
 Jlripping and dr effing the horfes into the bargain. 
 
 That the meafare of indifcretion may be com- 
 plete, the ceremony not unfrequently terminates in 
 a three or four gallon pail of hard cold water from 
 the PUMP in the yard or mews ; immediately after 
 whichj a judicious obferver will perceive 
 
 *' Each particular hair to Rand on end, 
 ^ *' Like quills upon the fretful porcupine.'* 
 
 This 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 363 
 
 This prevailing pra6tice has frequently laid the 
 foundation of various ills, not one of which were 
 ever attributed to the right caufe. Such an accu- 
 mulation of chilling frigidity immediately fucceed- 
 ing the extreme heat of the night, has often pro- 
 duced difeafes without end, at leaft thofe which 
 ended only with life. Colds, coughs, fever, 
 (original or fymptomatic,) inflammation of the 
 
 LUNGS, BAD EYES, BROKEN WIND, SWELLED LEGS, 
 
 CRACKED HEELS, DROPSY iu thc chefl^ with a long 
 lift of et ceteras^ or even death itfelf, may be oc- 
 cafioned by circumftances which in themfelves ap- 
 pear fo triflings yet they fometimes prove of con- 
 fiderable magnitude, and would attraft the necef- 
 fary attention of any humane man looking after 
 his own horfes; but in the prefent age of duplicity 
 and deception^ are very little likely to affeft the 
 fenfihility or integrity of thofe looking after the 
 horfes of others. 
 
 Where a lofs of hair has been fuftained by fome 
 injury, as in broken knees, wounds after being 
 healed, bliftering or firing, the growth may be pro- 
 moted (particularly in flight cafes) by reducing 
 three drachms of camphire to fine powder^ then 
 letting it be well incorporated with two ounces of 
 sperma c^ti ointment upon a marble flab, and a 
 fmall portion of it well rubbed into the part affefted 
 at leaft once^ but it will be better if perfevered in 
 twice a day. 
 
 HALTER 
 
354 SPOUTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 HALTER — is that well-known convenience by 
 which a horfe is faftened to the manger when con- 
 fined in a STABLE. Halters are of two kinds; the 
 one prepared of tivijled hevip^ the other made of 
 LEATHER, having head-flail, throat-ilraps and 
 buckles, nofe-band, &c. and are called double-reined 
 hunting-collars. Thefe are the fafeft in every 
 refpeft, and, although the mofl expenfive at lirftj 
 are proportionally durable, and confequently 
 cheapefl: in the courfe of time. Hempen halters 
 are fometimes injurious, in {oxmmg fzvellmgs^ or 
 lacerations^ upon the upper part of the head, be- 
 hind the ears, by the friction of the hard'twijhd 
 hemp upon a part naturally tender and eaiily 
 fufceptible. They are, however, now but very 
 little ufed, except in the ftables of inferior inns, 
 and of indigent ruftics. 
 
 HALTER-CAST.— This is an accident to 
 which horfes are conftantly liable, and it very fre- 
 quently happens; but, in general, from the inad- 
 vertency of leaving the rein of the halter of too 
 great a length on eidier one fide or the other : for 
 when the horfe is lying down, and has occafion 
 (from itching, or fome other caufe) to rub his 
 neck or head with the hind foot, it is no uncommon 
 thing to have it get entangled in the halter-rein; 
 which encircling the cavity of the heel^ renders it 
 impoffible for the animal to extricate himfeif, un- 
 lefs the halter breaks in his favor; and during thefe 
 
 ilruggles. 
 
 I 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 365 
 
 tlfuggles, the heel is fometiincs fo terribly exco- 
 riated, as to become not only a wound of much 
 trouble^ anxiety^ and lofs of labour^ but often leaves 
 a very vexatious blemifli, never to be removed. 
 It is, therefore, a truly neceffary part of ftable 
 circumfpeQion, to have an occafional eye to a 
 circumftance in itfelf fo feemingly infignihcant, 
 when it is recolleQed, that its omifTion may be pro- 
 duclive of much mortification. 
 
 HALTING — may be confidered a limpings or 
 flight impediment to free and easy action, im- 
 plying fome kind of perceptible defed or difqideludej 
 not amounting to abfolute lameness. Whenever 
 this irregularity in motion is firft obferved, and that 
 the legs do not move in correfponding uniformity, 
 or, in other words, as if they vjei'e not fellows, an 
 accurate examination fhould be immediately made 
 to afcertain the cause, that it may be fpeedily re- 
 lieved; upon a very fair prefumption, that what 
 might produce only a liynping or halting in the firft 
 inftance, might probably become a confirmed 
 lameness by a perfeverance in ufe, without ad- 
 verting to the proper means of alleviation upon the 
 original difcovery of fomething amifs. 
 
 HAM, HOUGH, or HOCK,— is the joint in 
 the center of the hind leg behind ; and although fo 
 wonderfully united for strength and action, is 
 neverthelefs the feat of ferious injuries, as blood 
 
 and 
 
366 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 and BONE SPAVINS, CURBS, Sec, the major part of 
 which originate much more in improper treatment, 
 by fhort tarns, fudden jerks, or twilts, upon the 
 road, or in the liable, than by any accidents or fair 
 mode of ufage whatever. 
 
 HAMBLETONIAN;— the name of a horse 
 whofe performances have ranked him in an equal 
 degree of retrofpe8:ive celebrity with Eclipfe^ 
 Highflyer^ Dioined^ and the moft famous runners 
 of the pad or prefent day. He was bred by Mr. 
 Hutchinson, of Skipton, near York, and foaled 
 in 1792; was got by King Fergus; dam by High- 
 flyer; grand-dam by Matchem. — 1795. May 5, 
 when three years old, he won a (lakes of fifteen 
 guineas each, over Hambleton, (five fubfcribers,) 
 beating Sober Rohin^ Tarquin^ and another. At 
 York, May 20th, he won a fweepftakes of twenty 
 guineas each, four fubfcribers. He was then pur- 
 chafed, with all his engagements, by Sir C. Tur- 
 ner, Bart, in whofe polfelTion he won, on the 
 27th of Auguft, at York, a fweepftakes of 100 
 guineas each, (fix fubfcribers,) beating Benjamin^ 
 Alinus, and Maximus. Two days after he won a 
 fweepftakes of fifty guineas each, four fubfcribers. 
 At Doncafter, the 2 2d of September, he won the 
 St. Leger ftakes of twenty-five guineas each, twelve 
 fubfcribers. The next day he won the gold cup 
 of 100 guineas value, four miles^ beating Governor^ 
 Capficum^ and Bradamanti, 
 
 1796. 
 
SPO?vTING DICTIONARY. 367 
 
 1796. At the York Auguft meeting he ^von a 
 fubfcription purfe of 227/. 105. beating Spread 
 Ea^lc^ Sober Rohin^ and another. The next day 
 he won the ladies' plate, beating Lord Darlington's 
 St, George, At this period of his uninterrupted 
 fuccefs, he was purchafed by Sir Henry Tempest 
 Vane, Bart, and at Doncafter, September 28, 
 won the gold cup of 100 guineas value, beating 
 Sober Robin, Ambrofio, and three others. In the 
 Newmarket Houghton meeting, November 2, he 
 beat Mr. Tatton's Patriot (who was got by Rock- 
 ingham) over the Beacon Courfe for 1000 guineas. 
 
 1797. Monday in the Newmarket Craven meet- 
 ing, he won the Craven ftakes of ten guineas each, 
 beating Sober Robin, Bennington, Paynator, Her* 
 rnione, Parifot, Cymbeline, and five others. The 
 fame day he received 250 guineas forfeit from 
 Spread Eagle. On Thurfday, in the fame week, 
 he beat Lord Clermont's Aimator, Beacon Courfe, 
 300 guineas. At York, Auguft 23, he won one 
 third of the great fubfcription of 25 gdineas each^ 
 (25 fubfcribers,) to which was added a 50/. plate 
 given by the city. The next day he won another 
 third of the fame fubfcription, with an additional 
 50/. plate by the City, beating Beningh rough, Trim^ 
 biijh, and Brilliant, At Doncafler, the 27th of 
 September, he won the ftakes of ten guineas each, 
 (ten fubfcribersj wnth tw^enty guineas added by the 
 
 Corporation % 
 
S08 SPORTING DICTION ARY* 
 
 Corporation; and on the 29th received i06 guineas 
 forfeit from Mr. Sitwell's Moorcocks 
 
 In 1798 he was flightly lame, and never ftarted* 
 
 1799. Monday, in the Craven meeting at 
 Newmarket, he beat Mr. Cookfon's famous horfe 
 Diamond^ over the Beacon, for 3000 guineas, with 
 the odds of five \.ojour in his favour, on account 
 of his fuperiority in fize and ftrength ; it being jo- 
 cularly obferved by the rider of Diamond at Jlart- 
 ing^ that it feemed " a little like a race between 
 a mare and her colt." This match was the greateft 
 in popularity ever known from one extremity of 
 the kingdom to the other, and was decided before 
 one of the fulled meetings ever feen at Newmarket. 
 It was won by no more than three parts of a lengthy 
 to efFeft which the winner had felt the utmoft force 
 of the fpur; and, it was generally believed, if they 
 had then one hundred yards farther to have ran, 
 Diamond \^on\di have been tlte winner; in proof of 
 the juftice of which opinion, Mr. Cookson chal-^ 
 lenged a repetition of the match, which was de- 
 clined. 
 
 At Doncafter the fame year, he won the renewed 
 ftakes of ten guineas each, (fourteen fubfcribers,- 
 with- twenty guineas added by the Corporation,) 
 beating eight of the befl horfes in the north of 
 England. In 1800 he won the great fubfcription 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 369 
 
 at York, with ^oL given by the City, which was 
 the lafl time he flarted. He once ran out of the 
 Courle, foon after Jlarting^ when running three 
 miles over York, 1797, for a fweepftakes of 100 
 guineas each againit DeftrUr and Spread Eagle; 
 and paid one forfeit to Sterling (from being amifs 
 in 1792) at Newmarket; but never was beat. 
 He is now a ftallion in high repute near Leeds, in 
 Yorkfhire, at ten guineas, and half a guinea the 
 groom. 
 
 HAND— -is the term for a mode of meafure- 
 ment by which the height of a horse is afcertained. 
 A HAND (fo called originally from its breadth) is 
 Jour inches ; three hands is confequently one foot; 
 and A HORSE of fifteen hands is exattly five feet 
 high; and fo above or below in proportion; as 
 thirteen hands three inches; fourteen hands and a 
 half; or fifteen hands three inches and a quarter; 
 as the meafure may be. This, at the entrance of 
 horfes for give: and take plates, is regulated to a 
 moft fcrupulous nicety by means of a standard, 
 fo curioufly conftrufted, as to afcertain the exa6l 
 height to the eighth of an inch^ where horfes are 
 matched to carry weight for inches. 
 
 Bridle-hand: the left hand is fo termed, in 
 contra-diflinction to the right, which is called the 
 whip-hand; and the moft experienced jockies in 
 racing, always take the whip-hand, if poflible; it 
 
 Vol. I. B b being 
 
370 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 being confidered a point in their favour; that is, 
 becaufe they have not only an advantage in the 
 turns of the courfe, but their adverfaries circum- 
 fcribe a larger circle of many lengths in a four 
 IviiLES race, exclufive of their having an unre- 
 ftrained ufe of the whip, fhould it come to a 
 fev ere pufJi dii iht xnnm, ' 
 
 There are many fporting phrafes in which the 
 word HAND becomes particularly emphatic. To 
 fay a horfe is lipht in hand, implies his being 
 playful, lively, champing his bit, firm upon his 
 haunches, and not dwelling upon the ground with 
 his fore feet. A horfe is heavy in hand, when, 
 bearing his weight upon the bit, and lifting his fore 
 legs with reluQance, he goes boring on^ with no 
 othet fenfation to the rider, than an eternal fear of 
 his pitching upon his head. A vicious horfe, 
 breaking away with his rider, feems a dreadful 
 fight to a fpe6iator, but can never be attended with 
 misfortune, if the rider is a good horseman, and 
 has him " well in hand," which is, in fact, the 
 power of " gathering him together," or flopping 
 his career at pleafure. 
 
 Although the left is technically termed the bri- 
 dle-hand, yet a good horfeman, or experienced 
 fportfman, will ufe either fight or left with themoft 
 perfe6l eafe and dexterity; to efPe6l which with the. 
 greater freedom, young horfemen fhould conftantly 
 5 pra6lifc 
 
SPORTIMG JOldrfd^TARY. §71 
 
 praftife an exchange of the reins from one hand to 
 the other in their daily excurfions. The hand 
 ihould be delicately alive to every rrmtion of the 
 horfe; for it is the judicious management of one, 
 that is to conftitute entirely the good or bmd mouth 
 of the other. A horfe is fuppofed to gallop awk- 
 wardly (if not unnaturally) when he ftrikes into 
 that pace with his left leg foremoft ) to prevent 
 which^ bear the rein to the left, with the bridle- 
 hand, and the horfe invariably fets off with the 
 right leg. 
 
 Hand-gallop is that eafy kind of pacing 
 adapted to the aged and infirm, who wifh to 
 obtain every poffible degree of motion^ moft con- 
 fonant to bodily eafe; it is the degree of equeftrian 
 aaion fynonimous with, and more univerfally 
 known by, the denomination of canter; which is, 
 in faa, the floweft, or moft contraded gallop, and 
 can only be enjoyed by thofe who poffefs horfes of 
 good temper, and well broke for the purpofe. 
 
 A COLT faid to be " taken in hand," implies his 
 being brought from his wild ftate of nature, to be 
 handled, quieted, led about, and fiahled, previous 
 to his being broke in for the saddle or harness. 
 
 A horfe*s fore-hand includes the fore quarters, 
 
 from the withers upwards to the tip of the ears • 
 
 the principal beauty and attraaion of which depend 
 
 B b 2 entirely 
 
37^ SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 entirely upon the length and curvilinear form of 
 the neck, which increafes or diminifhes his mar- 
 ketahle value^ in proportion as it is well or ill 
 formed. 
 
 HANDICAP — is a fporting term, applicable to 
 either match, p;.ate, or sweepstakes, in the fol- 
 lowing way : 
 
 A, B, and C, put an equal fum into a hat. C, 
 who is the handicapper, makes a match for A and 
 B, who, when they have perufed it, put their hands 
 into their pockets, and draw them out clofed ; 
 then they open them together, and if both have 
 money in their hands, the match is confirmed; if 
 neither have money, it is no match : in either of 
 thefe cafes, the handicapper C draws all the money 
 out of the hat: but if one has money in his hand, 
 and the other none^ it is then no match; and he 
 that has the money in his hand, is entitled to the 
 whole depofit in the hat. 
 
 A handicap plate is the gift of an individual, 
 or raifed by subscription, for which horfes are 
 generally declared the day before running, at a 
 certain hour, by written information privately de- 
 livered to the Clerk of the Course, whofe pro- 
 vince it is to make out the lift, and hand it to the I 
 Steward of the Race ; when the weight each i 
 horfe muft carry is irrevocably fixed, (by whoever \ 
 
 the ! 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 373 
 
 the fteward may appoint), and appears in the printed 
 lifts of the following morning. Horfes thus en- 
 tered, and declining the weight appointed for them 
 to carry, are of courfe permitted to be withdrawn, 
 without any forfeit or lofs. 
 
 HANDING — is fometimes ufed to exprefs the 
 HANDING of a COCK during his battle in the pit. It 
 is, however, confidered merely provincial, and pe- 
 culiar only to fome particular parts of the country ; 
 the hander of the cocks being now more generally 
 known by the denomination of a setter-to. — See 
 Cockpit Royal. 
 
 HANDLING, — a term applied by cockers to 
 the judicious handling of a cock, when brought up 
 from his walk^ to afcertain whether he is in proper 
 condition to be placed in the pens, and prepared 
 to fight in either the main battles, or the byes. 
 This is done by a particular mode of taking the 
 girt of the body by grafp, to difcover the fhape and 
 fubftance, the bone, the probable ftrength, as well 
 as the firmnefs or flaccidity of the flefh ; upan the 
 aggregate of which fo much depends, that in pro- 
 portion to thefe qualifications, he is accepted or 
 rejeHed accordingly. 
 
 HARBOUR — is a fporting term, applicable 
 
 folely to deer, and ufed only in stag hunting; 
 
 when going to covert, and drawing for an out-lying 
 
 B b 3 deer ; 
 
374 SPOP.TING DJCTIONAY, 
 
 deer; upon finding, it is cuftomary to {ay, We 
 UNHARBOUR E ftag, (or hind.) As with harriers. 
 We find or Jlart a hare; or with fox hounds^ 
 We unkennel a fox. 
 
 HARE,— This fmall, harmlefs, inofFenfive ani- 
 flial affords a greater diverfity of fport in the field, 
 and a greater degree of luxurious entertainment 
 upor> the table, thaii any fpecies of game in this, 
 or, probably, in any other country. The form, 
 fliape, and make of the hare is too univerfally 
 Hnown to require defcription ; but the moft curious 
 naturalifts defcribe, and offeB to believe, there are 
 Jour kinds of hares in different parts of the king- 
 dom. The fa6l is not fo; the fpecies is ftriftly 
 the fame; but they are known to differ in fize, 
 fpeed, fubftance, and fomewhat in colour, accord- 
 ing to the foil, climate, fertility, or fteriiity, of 
 the country where they are bred. 
 
 Hares in hilly and mountainous countries are 
 fmaller, but more fleet than any other; thofe who 
 are the natives of low, wet, marlliy ground, or 
 moors, are larger, but lefs firm and delicious in 
 flefh, as well as lefs nimble in aftion. Hares bred 
 in open countries, diverfified with woods, parks, 
 and arable lands, are in fize between both, and 
 afford the bell courfing before greyhounds, as 
 well as the longed chafes before hounds. Every 
 part of the hare is admirably formed for the promo- 
 tion 
 
SrORTIXG DICTIONARY, 275 
 
 lion of fpccd; \vhicb5 in coiijuuBion with other 
 natural advantages, greatly enables her to evade 
 the purfuits and llra.tagems of her numerous ene- 
 mies. 
 
 The [en[c of smellixNg, as well as of hearing, 
 the hare poffefles in a more exquihte degree than 
 any other animal ; the latter of which may be juftly 
 attributed to the great length, and fingular forma-- 
 tion, of the ears, fo well adapted to receive the 
 fiighteft vibration of found, which even the eartl^ 
 is fo w^ell known to convey. Its fenfe of fmelling 
 is fo incredibly nice, that the hare can wind an 
 enemy (either man or beaft) at a confiderable dif- 
 tance, particularly in the ftillnefs of the night ; this 
 is evidently occafioned by the elaftic formation of 
 the noflrils, and the depth of the divifion between 
 both, from whence has arifen the appellation of a 
 hare-lip^ with which defed fome of the human 
 fpecies are afflifte^, in confequence of fright to the 
 mother during the early months of pregnancy. The 
 ears feem to be the regulators of almoft every 
 aQion; for during the chafe one is always ereH^ 
 the other horizontal; unlefs in fuddenly coming 
 upon 3n unexpected objeQ:, when they are for a 
 moment both erecl ; but, upon turning and renew- 
 ing her fpeed, they invariably refume their former 
 pofition. 
 
 B b 4 The 
 
37^ SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 The EYES of the hare, from the peculiar promi- 
 nence of their formation, enable her to diftinguifh 
 objefts in almoft every direftion, without altering 
 the pofition of either her head or her body ; and it 
 is remarkable, that their fight in a ftraight forward 
 line feems lefs perfeft than in any other. The na- 
 tural timidity of the hare is exceffive ; flie exifts in 
 perpetual fear, and is tremblingly alive to every 
 breeze that can polTibly produce alarm. Formed 
 entirely for running, fhe either poffeffes no power, 
 or makes no attempt to walk^ but in her floweft 
 motion proceeds by jumps. The food of the hare 
 varies with the feafon, and confifts chiefly of young 
 clover, green wheat, fhort fweet grafs in parks or 
 upon lawns; and in the winter, parfley, turnip 
 greens, and other fucculent plants. During fevere 
 frofts, or deep fnow, they make no fmall havock 
 amongft young fruit-trees and fragrant flirubs, by 
 nibbling the bark, thereby retarding their growth, 
 if not (as is frequently the cafe) promoting their 
 deflruftion. It is afferted by Mr. Daniel, in his 
 publication called. " Rural Sports," that the 
 plantations of a gentleman in the county of Suf- 
 folk, had fuffered fo much in this way, that, in 
 defence of his improvements, he felt himfelf under 
 the neceffity of deftroying his hares, when no lefs 
 than five hundred SLud/orty brace fell vidims on the 
 Qccafton. 
 
 The 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 377 
 
 The almoft perpetual and incredible deflruBion 
 
 of HARES, by HUNTING, COURSING, SHOOTING, and 
 
 the nofturnal net and wii-e of the poacher^ (as well 
 as the infinite increafe to fupply that deilruQion,) 
 having occafioned fuggeitions, that they poffcfs the 
 property of superfcetation, it becomes immedi- 
 ately applicable to introduce a remark or two under 
 that head. We are told by Mr. Daniel, that '' Sir 
 Thomas Brown, in his Treatife on Vulgar Errors^ 
 aflerts this circumftance from his own obfervation : 
 and BuFFON defcribes it as one of this animal's pe- 
 culiar properties, introducing an idea of herma- 
 phrodite hares ; as well as that the imlcs fometimes 
 bring forth young; that they are alternately ^5ALES 
 and FEMALES, occafionally performing the funQions 
 of either fex." Nothing can be more contemptible 
 and ridiculous than fuch conje8:ures ; they are the 
 very eflence of mental fertility ; and it muft fuffice 
 to admit, that Sir Thomas Brown and Buffon 
 were not inquifitive fportfmen, or not fcientifically 
 acquainted with the parts neceffary to generation. 
 
 For want of information fo very eafily to be ob- 
 tained, fome one of thefe fpeculative writers pro- 
 mulgated an erroneous aflertion, every day liable 
 to the mod palpable confutation ; " that in the 
 formation of the genital parts of the male hare, 
 the tefticles do not appear on the outjide of the 
 body, but are contained in the lame cover with the 
 inteftines." It fhould feem thefe authors write more 
 
 2 to 
 
378 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 to SURPRIZE than to instruct, or that they knew 
 little of the fubjecl they wrote upon ; as nineteen 
 fportfmen out of every twenty, who have handled 
 hares in the field, or taken them up before the 
 hounds, can demonftrate the contrary ; as the tef- 
 ticles, when the hare is full grown, are not only 
 prominently perceptible externally^ but of confi- 
 derable fize for fo fmall an animal. 
 
 The natural fecundity of hares almoft exceeds 
 belief; they continue to breed for nine months out 
 of the twelve; and leverets (young hares) are fre- 
 quently found and chopped by the hounds in Ja- 
 nuary^ v/hen the winter has been mild» The doe 
 hare goes a month after conception, and at htxjirjl 
 produce ieldom brings forth more than txjDO^ after-, 
 wards tkree, and fometimes ybz^r. Whenever the 
 number exceeds two, it is a received (and generally 
 believed jufl) opinion, that each of the young has 
 a white lliir in the forehead, which, however, is 
 gradually obliterated as they approach maturity. 
 The dam is fuppofed to fuckle them about one-and- 
 twenty days; but takes care to feparate them before 
 that time, and depofits them individually in fuch 
 foDv^i as fhe has previoufiy prepared for their re- 
 ception, at a confiderable difiance from each other; 
 but fo fitaate, that fhe can afford maternal protect 
 tion to the whole. Their prolific powers, and 
 perpetiiki increafe, will create no furprife, when 
 v;(* arc leipetlably rnformedj tliat a brace of hares, 
 
 (the 
 
SPORTING dk:tiona!iy. 579 
 
 (j:he doe pregnant when fhut up) were inclofcd in a 
 l^rge walled garden, and proper aliment fupplied 
 for their fuftenance ; when at the expiration of 
 TWELVE MONTHS thc garden was fearched, and the 
 produce v^diS fifty -f even hares, including the original 
 brace turned down: this fact alone demonfl rating 
 the certainty, that the females begin to breed when, 
 or before, they are fix months old. 
 
 The length of a hare's natural life is limited to 
 fix or feven years, and they reach their full growth 
 in eight or nine months. The male is by much the 
 fmalleft, feldom exceeding in v;eight Ji-je or fix 
 pounds ; but the females, particularly in feme very- 
 rich and fertile counties, weigh from feven to 
 eight : fome few inflances have been known of 
 their weighing- nine pounds, after being paunched. 
 The hare is fuppofed to be in gentle motion all 
 rjight during the fummer months, and a great part 
 of it in the dreary nights of winter ; during the 
 length of which their works are of fuch immenfe 
 perplexity, (in heads^ doubles^ and circles^) that 
 little expectation is entertained of finding a hare by 
 the trails unlefs the field is taken early in the 
 jiiorning, foon after ilie is gone to feat ; which is 
 feldom, if ever, before the dawn cf day ; and in 
 the fummer months, very frequently not till long 
 after dav-lii^ht. 
 
 Thc 
 
SSO SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 The HARE till full grown is called a leveret^ 
 and at any age is very difficult to be found Jilting ; 
 fo nearly does the downy fleak (when clofe con- 
 trafted) approach the colour of the ground. In 
 this pofition the old and experienced sportsman 
 will declare the gender of the hare before it is 
 ftarted. The head of the male is fliort and round, 
 the whifkers longer, the flit in the nofe wider, the 
 fhoulders more ruddy, and the ears fhorter and 
 broader, than thofe of the female; the head of 
 which is long and narrow ; the ears long, and fliarp 
 at the tip ; the fur of the back of a dingey hue, 
 inclining to black, and of fuperior fize to the male. 
 When a hare is obferved in its form, it may be 
 eafily afcertained, by the ears only, whether it is a 
 BUCK or doe; and this is a ufeful kind of know- 
 ledge, particularly at the latter part of the feafon, 
 when no man, but a hardened poacher, or pot- 
 hunting fportfman, would turn out a female hare 
 before either hound or greyhound, where there 
 is a chance of deftroying a leajh^ or two hrace^ by 
 the wanton deftruction of one. 
 
 If the hare found fitting is a buck, the ears will 
 be feen drawn clofe in a parallel line with each 
 other, dire6lly over the flioulders, pointing ftraight 
 down the back ; but if a doe, the ears are diftended 
 on each fide of the neck, having a fpace between 
 them in the centre. In the chafe, a Jack hare^ (as 
 
 the 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 381 
 
 the male is fportingly termed,) after the firft ring or 
 two, particularly in the fpring months, flies his 
 country, goes flraight forwards, and affords a good 
 run, but generally falls a victim to his own forti- 
 tude at its termination. The female hangs clofer 
 to her native fpot, depending more upon her 
 inflinttive efforts, in headings doitbling^ foiling^ 
 and fqiiatting, than fpeed for her prefer vation. 
 
 Hares bred upon the downs, or in hilly coun- 
 tries, are always the ftouteft, and befl enabled to 
 efcape from greyhounds; of which they are fo 
 confcious, that they always make for the neareft 
 rifing ground, fo foon as flarted. When fo fe- 
 verely diftrefl that they plainly perceive there is 
 no other means of efcape, they will take to a brick 
 or wooden drain for fecurity, or even run to earthy 
 if one fhould luckily prefent itfelf in the emer- 
 gency. They are thought to forefee a change in 
 the WEATHER, and to regulate their fitting accord- 
 ingly. After harveft they are found in ftubbles, 
 banks of hedges, woods, and thickets ; during the 
 fall of the leaf, they feat themfelves more in open 
 fields ; and when the feverity of winter begins to 
 decline, warm, dry, hilly fallows are hardly ever 
 without them. As one fpecies of game, they are 
 held in high eflimation; and, notwithltanding the 
 utmofl efforts, by every degree of interdiction, 
 with all the pains and penalties that fucceflive par- 
 liaments could devife, from Richard the Second 
 
 to 
 
382 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 to the prefent day, for their prelervatiorij and ap^ 
 propriation to the ufe of the fuperior claiTes, yet 
 no laws ever proved more fallacious or deceptive ; 
 for the infinity of poachers, with which every 
 rural dillricl abounds, and the alacrity with which 
 
 STAGE COACHMEN aud COUNTRY HIGLERS fupply 
 
 iht'iY friends, will never let any inquirer be in want 
 of A HARE, who has his five Jlii I lings in hand as a 
 means of retribution. This insufficiency of the 
 LAW to check nofturnal depredation, and progref- 
 five infamy, is mod fincerely to be regretted; but 
 experience has long held forth ample conviQion^ 
 that regret cannot produce redrefs. 
 
 HARE-HUNTING— is a well-known fport, of 
 very ancient and enthufiaftic enjoyment, reported, 
 by the mod celebrated antiquaries, to have been 
 eftablifhed more than txoo thou/and years before the 
 Christian ^era. Various opinions have been oc- 
 cafionally promulgated, and perfeveringly fup- 
 ported, (by cynical rigidity, and religious feverity,) 
 upon the " cruelty of the chafe;" which, however, 
 is now never likely to be fliaken in either theojy or 
 praEtice^ as to almofl every pack of hounds in the 
 kingdom there are clerical devotees, who are by 
 no means unworthy members of the church* 
 
 Hare-hunting, though univerfal in every part 
 of England, Ireland, Scotlcind, and Wales, is in 
 the highell eftimation in thofe open and champaign 
 
 counties 
 
SPORTING DIGTIONAIIV. J^J 
 
 counties where, from want of covert, a stag or 
 FOX is never feen. Here the haves aie iiouter, 
 more accuftomed to long nightly exercife, more 
 frequently diiturbed, more inured to fevere courfes 
 before greyhounds, and hard runs before hounds; 
 confequently, calculated to afford much better 
 fport than can be expefted in either an inclofed or 
 woodland country. There are three dilliinB: kinds 
 of hounds, w^th which this particular chafe is pur- 
 fued, according to the foil and natural face of tjie 
 diftricl where it is enjoyed. The large (low 
 SOUTHERN HOUND is adapted to the low^ fwampy, 
 marfliy lands, fo confpicuous in many parts of 
 Lancaflrire; as well as thofe in Norfolk, and va- 
 rious others bordering upon the fea. The fmall, 
 bufy, indefatigable beagle feems appropriated by 
 nature to thofe fteep, hilly and mountainous parts, 
 w^here it is impoflible for the bed horfe and boldeft 
 rider to keep conftantly with the hounds. The 
 hounds now called harriers, and originally pro- 
 duced by a crofs betv/een the southern hound 
 and the dv/arf fox, are the only hounds to fucceed 
 in thofe open countries, where, for v;ant of covert, 
 the hare goes five or fix miles an end zuithout a turn; 
 .as is frequently the cafe in many parts of Oxford- 
 •fhire, Northamptonfiiire, Wiltiliire, Hampfhirc, 
 and other counties; coniiituting chafes very Juperior 
 to many fox hounds, hunting beechen coverts and 
 woodland didricts. 
 
 Hare- 
 
SS-i- SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 Hare-hunting, when put in competition with 
 the purfuit of stag or fox, is much more gratifying 
 to the ruminative and reflefting mind, than either 
 of the other two ; as it affords a more ample field 
 for minute obfervation upon the initinftive fagacity 
 of the GAME, and the patient, perfevering fortitude 
 of the HOUND, in the various heads^ turns, and 
 doubles, of the chafe. Hence it is that hare-hunting 
 is principally followed, and mofl enjoyed, by 
 fportfmen in the decline of life; but with the 
 younger branches it is held in very flender eftima- 
 tion, as they in general appreciate the excellence of 
 /port more by the difficulty in purfuing it, than by 
 its duration. Hare-hunting, in a woody or inclofed 
 country, is fuch a perpetual routine of repetition 
 within a fmall fphere, affording no more than a 
 continual fucceffion of the fame thing, that with a 
 zealous rider, and a high-mettled horfe, it foon 
 palls upon the appetite of both. Young men, from 
 emulative motives, (naturally appertaining to their 
 time of life,) feel a prefFmg propenfity to encounter 
 obftacles, and furmount difficulties, where the 
 effect of vigour and manly courage can be dif- 
 played, and confequently prefer the kind of chafe 
 where perfonal fortitude, and bodily exertion, 
 are brought more to the proof; and where, by co- 
 vering a larger fcope of country, and with a much 
 greater proportional rapidity, a more pleafing and 
 extenfive variety is obtained. 
 
 Another 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 585 
 
 Another caufe of moi tification conRantly pre- 
 fents itfclf to young {poitfmen with harriers, or 
 '!5ea(;lks, in the field : a valuable horfe, or a bold 
 rider, are equally unneccffary in harr-hunting, 
 and this is eternally brought to an incontrovertible 
 proof; for after a burst of f»ve minutes, in which a 
 peried hunter has an opportunity of difplaying his 
 I'pccd, and, after clearing fome dangerous leaps^ a 
 liidden turn or double of the hare, brings him by the 
 (ide of a rulUc upon a poney of Jive pounds value^ 
 who is nine times out of ten as forward as himfelf. 
 The infinite time loft in finding, where hares are not 
 in great plenty; the frequency of faults; the perfc- 
 cuting tedioufnefs of cold hunting ; and the injury- 
 done to HORSES in drizzling drearv days, during 
 hours of flow adion, are great drawbacks to the 
 pleafure this fpecies of hunting would otherwife 
 afford. 
 
 Moderate sportsmen will never avail them- 
 felves of immoderate means to occafion a con- 
 traction of their own fpprt, by a wanton or unne- 
 ceffary deftruQion of hares ; too great a body of 
 hounds (hould never be brought into the field, or 
 any unfair modes adopted during the chafe : prick- 
 ing a hare in the paths, or upon the highways, as 
 well as placing einiffaries upon the foil ^ are paltry, 
 mean, and difgraceful artifices, that no genuine, 
 well-bred, honest sportsman, will e^•er permit; 
 but candidly ackno\vled,qc, if the hulxds cannot 
 
 V'ol. 1. C c kill 
 
386 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 kill hcr^ fhe ought to escape. In refpeQ to num- 
 bers, lefs than twelve, or more than eighteen 
 couple ought never to be brought from the kennel 
 to the chafe ; nor, indeed, feldom arc, unlefs with 
 thofe who think much lefs of sport, than of per- 
 fonal pride and ojientation, 
 
 Mr. Beckford, who is a perfeft mafter of this 
 fubjeft, has fo completely inveftigated, and mi- 
 nutely explained, every particular appertaining to 
 the chafe of both hare and fox, that as it is abfo- 
 lutely impoffible to fuggefl an idea^ or communi- 
 cate a thought^ but what muft carry with it the ap- 
 pearance of plagiarifm; it will be more candid, 
 (evidently more honeft) to introduce occafional 
 paffages in his own words, as language more ex- 
 preffive, by which they will be infinitely better un- 
 derftood. He fays, " By inclination he was never 
 a hare-hunter; but followed the diverfion more for 
 air and exercife than araufement; and if he could 
 have perfuaded himfelf to ride on the turnpike 
 road to the three mile flone-, and back again, he 
 never fhould have thought himfelf in need of a 
 pack of harriers." 
 
 He then apologizes to " his brother hare- 
 hunters for holding the fport fo cheap, not wifh- 
 ing to offend; alluding more relatively to his own 
 particular fituation in a country where hare-hunting 
 is fo bad, that it is more extraordinary he fhould 
 2 havQ 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 387 
 
 have perfevered in it fo long, than he fliould have 
 foiTakcn it then." Adding, "how much he refpefts 
 hunting in whatever fhape it appears; that it is a 
 manly and a wholefome exercife, and feems hy na- 
 ture defigned to be the amufement of a Briton.'* 
 He is of opinion that more than twenty couple of 
 hounds fhould never be brought into the field; 
 fuppofmg it difficult for a greater number to run 
 well together; and a pack of harriers can never be 
 complete who do not. He thinks the fewer hounds 
 you have, the lefs you foil the ground, which fome- 
 times proves a hindrance to the chafe. 
 
 Cuftom has greatly varied in the pra61ice of 
 HARE-HUNTING during the lafl thirty years : at that 
 time the hounds left the kennel at day-light, took 
 trail upon being thrown off^ and foon went up to 
 their game; which having the pleafure to find by 
 their own inflinQive fagacity, they purfued with 
 the more determined alacrity : a brace or leafh of 
 hares were then killed, and the fport of the day 
 concluded, by the hour it is now thefa/Jiion for the 
 company to take the field. As the trail of a hare 
 lays both partially and imperfe611y when it gets late 
 in the day, fo the difficulty o{ finding is increafcd, 
 in proportion to the latenefs of the hour at which 
 the hounds are thrown off; hence it is that hare- 
 finders, fo little known at that time, are now be- 
 come fo truly inltrumental to the fport of the day. 
 
 C c 2 Although 
 
3SS SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 Although their fervices are welcome to the eager 
 and expe6lant fportfman, yet it is on all hands ad- 
 mitted, they are prejudicial to the difcipline of 
 hounds; for having fuch affiftance, they become 
 habitually idle^ and individually wild : expecting 
 the game to be readily found for them, they be- 
 come totally indifFerent to the tafk of finding it 
 themfelves. Hounds of this defcription know the 
 hare- finder as well as they know the huntsman, 
 and will not only, upon fight, fet off to meet him, 
 but have eternally their heads thrown up in the air, 
 in expectation of a view holloa ! 
 
 With all well-managed packs, they are quietly 
 brought up to the place of meeting; and when 
 thrown off^ a general filence fhould prevail, that 
 every hound may be permitted to do his own work. 
 Hounds w^ell bred, and well broke to their bufinefs, 
 feldom want affiftance. Olhcious intrufions fre- 
 quently do more harm than good : nothing requires 
 greater judgment, or nicer obfcrvation in fpeaking 
 to a hound, than to know the critical time when a 
 word is wanting. Young men, like young hounds, 
 are frequently accuflomed to babble when newly en- 
 tered, and, by their frivolous quelrions or conver- 
 fation, attract the attention of the hounds, and in- 
 fure the filent citrfe of the huntsman, as well as 
 the contemptuous indiircreiice of every experienced 
 fportfman in the field. 
 
 Whenever 
 
SPORTING DICTION A.RY. 3S9 
 
 Whenever a hare is turned out of her form, or 
 jumps up before the hounds, a general fliout of 
 clamorous exu'tation too iiequently prevails, by 
 which the hare's intentional coiirfe is perverted, 
 and (he is often headed^ or turned into the body of 
 the HOUNDS to a certain death; when, on the con- 
 trary, was fhe permitted to go off with lefs alarm, 
 and to break view, without being fo clofely prefl'ed 
 at darting, there is no doubt but mucli better. runs 
 w^ould be more generally obtained. Individual 
 emulation, or individual ohflinacy^ invariably oc- 
 cafions horfemen in hare-hunting to be too near 
 the hounds, who, being naturally urged by the 
 rattling of the horfes, and the exulting zeal of the 
 riders, often very much over-run the fcent, and 
 have no alternative but to turn and divide amidft 
 the legs of the horfes, fo foon as they have loft it; 
 and to this circumftance may be juftly attributed 
 many of the long and tedious faults which fo fre- 
 quently occur, and render this kind of chafe the 
 lefs attrading. 
 
 Gentlemen who keep harriers vary much in 
 their modes of hunting them ; but the true fportf- 
 man never deviates from the ftritt impartialit)' of 
 the chafe. If a hare is ^ownd filting^ and the hounds 
 too near at hand, they are immediately drawn off, 
 to prevent her being chopped in h^r form : the hare 
 is then filently walked up by the individual who 
 previouly found her, and Ihe is permitted to go 
 
 C c 3 ofl' 
 
390 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 off at her own pace^ and her own way. The hounds 
 are then drawn over the fpot from whence fhe 
 flarted, where taking the fcent, they go off in a 
 ftyle of uniformity, conftituting what may be fairly 
 termed the confiftency of the chafe. Others there 
 are who never can, or never will^ refill the tempta- 
 tion of giving the hounds a view^ and never fail to 
 tell you, both hare and hounds run the better 
 for it. In addition to this humane method of be- 
 ginning the chafe, every advantage is taken of the 
 poor affrighted animal's diftrefs, amidft all its little 
 inflinQive efforts for the prefervation of life. The 
 bounds, inftead of being permitted to run the foil, 
 and kill the hare by dint of their own perfevering 
 labour, are conftantly capped from chafe to view ; 
 and the objeQ: of the fport moil wantonly and un- 
 charitably deftroyed; for nothing lefs than a miracle 
 can effe6l its efcape, 
 
 Thofe of nicer fenfations enjoy the fport, but 
 enjoy it much more mercifully; and would rather 
 fee their own hounds occafionally beaten^ than, by 
 any unfair or unfportfman-like introdu6lion, kill 
 their hare. Thefe never permit a profufion of vo- 
 ciferous affiftance from the huntfman, who is en- 
 joined to an almoft filent execution of his ow^n 
 duty, that the hounds may not be prevented (by 
 his noifc) from a ftri8: and attentive performance of 
 theirs. If they throiu up^ upon a dry or greafy 
 fallow, a footpath, a highway, or a turnpike-road, 
 
 a thoufand 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. Sgl 
 
 a thoufand bufy buftling endeavours are to be felf- 
 made for a recovery of the fcent, before any one 
 effort is permitted to affilt in lifting them along; 
 and even then, not till every patient and perfe- 
 vering ftruggle has failed of fuccefs. The fportf- 
 man of this defcription admits of no device, ftrata- 
 gem, or foul play whatever; the hounds muft hunt 
 the hare; they mufl go over every inch of ground 
 file has gone before them ; they mull hit off their 
 own checks, recover their Jaults ; and, by cold 
 hunting, pick it along^ where, in pafTing through a 
 flock of flieep, the ground has been foiled, and 
 the chafe proportionally retarded. Early and ex- 
 tenfive cajls are unjuft, unlefs upon fome unex- 
 peded or unavoidable emergency ; as the repeated 
 interventions of fiieep, or interfe6tions of roads, or 
 fallows in a dry feafon; when it would be impoflible 
 to make the lead progrefs in getting the hounds 
 along without afliftance. 
 
 When hounds come to a check, not a horfe 
 fliould move, not a voice fliould be heard : every 
 hound is eagerly employed, exerting all his powers 
 for a recovery of the fcent, in which, if not offi- 
 cioufly obftru6led, they will moft probably foon 
 fucceed. At fuch times there is generally, and un- 
 luckily, fome popinjay in the field, who, unfortu- 
 nately for himfelf, never fpeaks but upon the moil 
 improper occafion; rendering, at fuch moment, 
 the judicious obfervation of Mr. Beckford truly 
 
 C c 4 neat 
 
392 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 neat and applicable, that " when in the field, he 
 never de fires to hear any other tcngite than a 
 HOPND." Whenever afTiftance to hounds is be- 
 come unavoidably neceffary, and the chafe cannot 
 be carried on without, found judgment, and long 
 experience, are necelfary to fpeedy fuccefs. Carts 
 cannot be made by any fixed, certain, or invariable 
 rules, but muft, at diflPerent times, be diflPerently 
 dependent upon the chafe^ the foil, the weather^ 
 and the kind of country you are hunting in. It 
 may, in one inftance, be prudent to try forward 
 firft; in another, to try back; as it may be ju- 
 dicious, or necefTary, to make a/w^// circular caft 
 at one time, and a much larger at another ; and al- * 
 though to one of the field, circumftances may ap- j 
 pear, in either inftance, to have been nearly the 1 
 fame, yet they have not been fo in the " mind's 
 eye-' of the huntsman, (or the perfon hunting the 
 hounds,) upon whofe fuperior knowledge, or cir- 
 cumfpettion, the good or ill effcd of the experiment j 
 }iiufl depend, i 
 
 None, but weak or inexperienced fportfmen^ 
 ever prefume to obtrude their opinions when hounds 
 are at fault ; thofe who do it, foon find the interr 
 krence is ill-timed, and that it only excites a con- 
 temptuous indifference. Strangers cannot be too 
 cautious and circumfpect in the field, if they wiffi 
 ip avoid juft reproofs, and not to encounter re^ 
 buffs: fome there are, whofe hard fate it is to be- 
 come 
 
Si^ORTlNG DICTION'ARY. 393 
 
 come confpicuoufly ridiculous upon every occafion 
 that can occur, and to fuch, unfortunately for them, 
 occalions are feldom wanting. During the chafe, 
 they are riding into^ over^ or before^ the hounds; 
 and at every cheeky afking fome vexatious, trifling 
 queltion of the huntsman; or entering into a fri- 
 volous converfation with what feems to them the 
 mod vulnerable fubjett of the company. Officious 
 individuals of this defcription, whofe error too fre- 
 quently originates in a certain degree of perfonal 
 pride, and unbounded confidence, fliould learn to 
 know, that '• the pod of honour is a private 
 ilation;" as well as that an old pollard in a paint- 
 ing, might be admirably calculated to form a re- 
 fpe8:able object in the back-ground, but never in- 
 tended by the artifl to become a principal figure in 
 the front of the pitture. 
 
 HARE NETS — are of two forts, one of which 
 will be found defcribed under the head " Gate- 
 nets;" the other arc called purse-nets, and are 
 cxattly in the form of cabbage-nets, but of larger 
 and ftronger conftruHion. Thefe occafionally af- 
 ford collateral aid to the former; for being fixed at 
 the different meufes (either in hedges, or to paling) 
 where hares are expelled to pafs, and the ground 
 being fcoured by a mute lurcher^ as there defcribed, 
 the deftruftion is certain. Thefe nets are the noc- 
 turnal engines of old and experienced poachers, 
 fioing more mifchief where hares are plenty, in one 
 
 3 ^^Shty 
 
S94f SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 nighty than the zoire manufaQurers can accomplifli 
 IB a week. 
 
 " HARK FORWARD !"— is a fporting excla- 
 mation, well known in the practice of the field, and 
 affords to every diflant hearer, authentic informa- 
 tion, that the hounds are a-head, and going on with 
 the chafe. It fometimes happens, that, in very 
 large and thick coverts, no man or horfe exifling 
 can be in with the hounds ; at which times (parti- 
 cularly in ftormy weather) recourfe muft he had to 
 every means for general accommodation. The 
 befl fportfmen are often thrown out /or miles^ and 
 not unfrequently for the day^ by various turns of 
 the CHASE in covert, and then breaking up the 
 'mind on a contrary fide, leaving every liftening ex- 
 peftant in an awkward predicament, if not relieved 
 by the friendly communication of " hoic for- 
 Y/ARD [" from one to another, enabling the whole 
 o continue the fport. 
 
 HARE- PI PES — were inflruments fo curioufly 
 conftru6ted, to imitate the whining whimper of a 
 BARE, that, being formerly found a very deflru6live 
 no8:urnal engine in attrafting the attention of 
 hares, and bringing them within the certain poffef- 
 fion of the poacher, their ufe was prohibited (by 
 particular fpecification) in every Ad of Parlia- 
 ment for the prefervation of game, from the reign 
 of Richard the Second, to the prcfent time; al- 
 though 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 395 
 
 though it is natural to conclude, there is not nom 
 fuch an article to be feen, or found in the king- 
 dom. 
 
 HARRIERS — are the fpecies of hound appro- 
 priated folely to the purfuit of the hare, and from 
 thence derived their prefent appellation. The 
 breeding experiments fo long made, and the va- 
 rious crofTes fo repeatedly tried, by the beft judges 
 in the kingdom, feem at length to have centered 
 between the old fouthern and the dwarf fox hound. 
 Mr. Beckford, whofe " Thoughts" no fenfible 
 man, or judicious fportfman, will prefume to dif- 
 pute, was entirely of this opinion, and proved it 
 by his praftice; for he fays, " his hounds were a 
 crofs of both thefe kinds, in which it was his en- 
 deavour to get as much bone and ftrength, in as 
 fmall a compafs as poffible. It was a difficult un- 
 dertaking. He bred many years, and an infinity of 
 hounds, before he could get what he wanted, and 
 had at lafl the pleafure to fee them very handfome ; 
 fmall, yet very bony : they ran remarkably, well 
 together ; ran fafl enough ; had all the alacrity that 
 could be defired, and would hunt the coldefl fcent. 
 When they were thus perfeQ, he did as many 
 others do — he parted with them." 
 
 Notwithftanding the criterion of excellence thus 
 laid down, the fame fort of hound (as a harrier) 
 is by no means applicable to every foil : the 
 
 fouthera 
 
39^ SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 fouthern hound will be always in poireflion of the 
 SWAMPS, as will the beagles of the mountainous 
 and hilly countries. Thole who delight in feeing 
 hounds bred and drafted to a certain degree of uni- 
 formity, in fir^c^ hone, Jlrength, and Jpeed, ftri6tly 
 correfponding with the opinion of Mr. Beckford, 
 will not find it time loft, to take the field with the 
 harrier 6 of his Majesty, kept at Windfor : they 
 are, as they ought to be, the beft pack, and the 
 belt hunted, this day in the kingdom. See the 
 Frontifpiece ; where every man, horse, and 
 HOUND, is individually a portrait. 
 
 HART — is the fporting term fynonimous with 
 Stag, (which see,) and was, in all foreft laws and 
 records, conllantly in ufe to iignify the fame. At 
 prefent, however, it is confidered almoft oblolece, 
 and never fo exprelied in fporting report, or con- 
 verfation. 
 
 KART ROYAL.— A (lag hunted by king or 
 QUEEN, obtaining his perfect liberty by beating the 
 hounds, was formerly called a hart royal; and pro- 
 clamation was immediately made, in the towns and 
 villages of the neighbourhood where he was loft, 
 that he fliould not be molefted, or his life attempted 
 by any farther purfuit; but that he fhould continue 
 in a ftate of unreftrained freedom, with power to 
 return to the fokest or chace from whence he was 
 t-iken at his own erke will. 1 his ceraiiony is, 
 
 however. 
 
SPORT! N'G DICTIONARY. 397 
 
 however, difcontinued, and bids fair to be buried 
 in a perpetual oblivion; as two inftanccs have re- 
 cently occurred worthy recital : one in the neigh- 
 bourhood of High WvcoMiiE, where the sfag was 
 killed before the hounds, by a rultic, during the 
 heat of the chafe, in which the King at the time 
 was perfonally engaged. And another at Maplt- 
 DURHAM, near Reading, where the deer was wan- 
 tonly fliot, as he lay in a willow bank near the 
 Thames, two days aften he had beaten the hounds; 
 vet it is publicly known, that no fteps were taken 
 to profecute the offenders, %vhich probably ori- 
 ginated in his Majefty's clemency. 
 
 HAUNCH AND HIP— of a horfe, have been 
 hitherto (but not with flritl propriety) ufed in a 
 hmilar fenfe : nice obfervers might fav one begins 
 where the other ends, or that one immediately 
 fucceeds the other. The haunch is that part of the 
 hind quarter extending from the point of the hip- 
 bone, down the thigh to the hock; but as it is 
 a part well known, and but little fubject to partial 
 difeafe or accident, it lavs claim to no particular 
 defcription. The term of " putti.n.Li a horfc upon 
 his haunches," implies the making him conftantly 
 fix the principal weight of the frame upon his hind 
 quarters, by which practice he bears lefs upon the 
 bit, and becomes habitually light in hand. Horfes 
 hard in mouth, and hca\ y in hand, frequently un- 
 dergo the caremonv of beino- put upon their 
 
398 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 haunches in the trammels of a riding school, 
 where, by too fevere and inconfiderate exertions, 
 fudden twijls^ dijlortions^ ^ndijlrains^ are fuftained 
 in the hocks, which terminate in curbs and spa- 
 vins never to be obliterated. 
 
 HAUNCH OF VENISON— implies the hind 
 quarter of a fallow deer, (either buck or doe,) 
 cut in a particular form for the table. The hind 
 quarter of a stag, or hind, alfo pafTes under the 
 fame denomination ; but it is more applicable to 
 form a diftin8:ion, and call the former a haunch of 
 venifon ; the latter, a haunch of red deer. 
 
 HAW. — The haw is that cartilaginous part of a 
 horfe's eye, plainly perceptible at the inner corner 
 next the forehead, which internally conflitutes a 
 circular groove for the eaiier acceleration of the eye 
 in its orbit. When confined within its natural and 
 proper fphere, it is but juil in fight, when taking a 
 front view of the horfe ; but when it has acquired a 
 preternatural degree of enlargement, it protrudes 
 over part of the orb, partially obftrucls the fight, 
 particularly in that direclion, and conftitutes no 
 fmall disfiguration of the horfe. Ingenuity hereto- 
 fore fuggefted the poffibility of extirpation with the 
 knife, which operation has been frequently per- 
 formed, but with too little fuccefs to juftify a con- 
 tinuance of the pradice. It having been found, 
 that when the haw was taken away by a regular pro- 
 
 cefs. 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 399 
 
 cefs, and by the hand of the moft expert operator, 
 yet the eye, for want of its former fupport, wa5 
 gbferved to become contra6led in the focket, and 
 a total deprivation of fight to follow, evidently de- 
 monftrating " the remedy worfe than the disease;" 
 as well as to convince us, it is fometimes more 
 prudent 
 
 « . to bear thofe ills we have, 
 
 ** Than fly to others that we know not of.'* 
 
 HAWKS, — as birds of prey, are divided into 
 two forts, called long and fhort winged hawks : of 
 the former there are ten, and of the latter eight; 
 but their names, and particular description, is fo 
 remote from the language and manners of the pre- 
 fent time, and their ufe fo nearly obfolete, that the 
 leafl: animadverfion would prove entirely fuper- 
 fluous. 
 
 HAWKING — was fome centuries fince a fport 
 of much fafliion and celebrity; the hawks being as 
 regularly broke and trained to the purfuit and 
 taking of game, as are the beft setters and 
 POINTERS of the prefent day. It is, however, fo 
 completely grown into difufe, and buried in obli- 
 vion, that there does not appear the leaft glimmer- 
 ing of its ever attaining a chance of sporting le- 
 furreftion. 
 
 HAY 
 
400 SPORTING JDICTIQNART. 
 
 HAY — is the welUknown article of grafs, cut jn* 
 its m oft luxuriant and nutritious ftate during the 
 months of June and July; when the fuccalent 
 parts, tending moft to putrefaftion, being extraclcd 
 by the powerful rays of the fun, it acquires (if the 
 feafon fhould prove dry, and favourable for the 
 operation) a degree of fragrancy nearly equal to a 
 collcQion of aromatic herbs. Hay, in this ftate, 
 is a moft attrafting fort of aliment to horfes of 
 every defcription, and is fo truly grateful to the 
 appetite, that it is often accepted when corn is 
 refufed. Of hay there are different kinds ; as 
 MEADOW hay, clover hay, and sainfoin. The 
 fifft is called natural grafs, as the fpontaneous pro- 
 duce of what is termed pafture land : the two latter 
 "are deemed artificial, as being cultivated upon 
 arable land, and affording crops of only biennial 
 and TRIENNIAL duration; when the fertility <A 
 which is fo far exhaufted, as to render a crop of 
 the enfuing year an unprojiiahk profpecl, the land 
 is ploughed up, to undergo its regular routine o^i 
 cultivation, when crops of this defcription are re- 
 newed, bv fowing the feed previoufly preferved for 
 the purpofc. 
 
 'Fine, rich, fhort, fragrant meadow hay, has bv 
 much the preference with the sporting world ; a> 
 \';clt as v.'ith all thofc v/ho employ horfes in light 
 Avork, and expeditious action: it varies much in its 
 proj^ertv; not more in re fp eel to the manner in 
 
 which 
 
SFdRTING DICTIONARY. 40l 
 
 Vhlch It is made, than to the foil it is produced 
 from. Thofe who are anxious for the health and 
 CONDITION of their horfes, are always as judicioufly 
 circumrpe8: in the choice of their hay as their corn- 
 experimentally knowing, as- much depends upon 
 the excellence of one as the other. Hay produced 
 from rufhy land, or moffy moors, is always of in- 
 ferior quality, and iinpoveriflies the blood of the 
 horfes who eat it, in proportion to its own flerility. 
 Thofe who inconfiderately purchafe cheap hay upon 
 the fcore of economy, will have to repent their 
 want of liberality. Whether it is coarfe^ and 
 barren of nutritious property, or ill-made, niujly,. 
 and repugnant to appetite^ the efFea fooner or 
 later will be much the fame; and thofe who impru- 
 dently make the experiment, will foon find, that 
 horfes ill-kept, and lefs fed than nature requires, 
 for the fupport of the frame, and the fuppiy of the 
 various fecretions by the different emunclories, 
 Vv'ill foon difplay, in their external appearance, a 
 tendency to difeafe. 
 
 CloVer liAY is produced in moil: counties in the 
 kingdom ; it is generally fown with xIArley, fome^ 
 times with oats, and leaft of all with wheat: it 
 conllitutes, upon dry ground, a profitable and con- 
 venient paft ure in the autumn, and affords its ge- 
 neral crop the following feafon. If luxuriaiit, it is 
 mown twice in the fame funrmer; but the fecond 
 crop is not confidered equal in value to the firft. 
 
 Vol. L D d This 
 
 \ 
 
402 SPOmriNG DICTIONARY. 
 
 This hay is faid, by thofe who ought to be the beft 
 enabled to judge and decide, fuperior to every 
 other as to its nutritious property : this may be ad-» 
 mitted in a certain degree, fo far as its increafing 
 the crafTamentum of the blood, and proportionally 
 promoting its vifcidity ; rendering horfes who arc 
 conftantly fed upon it (for inftance, farmers horfes) 
 fuller in flefh, duller in atlion, and thicker in the 
 wind, than thofe who are fupported upon food of 
 a lighter defcription. Although well calculated for 
 flow and heavy draft horfes, it is by no means 
 adapted to thofe of expeditious aBion; for the 
 blood thus thickened, becoming more languid or 
 tardy in its circulation, would, when propelled 
 through the veffels with great and fudden velocity, 
 in hunting, or journies of fpeed upon the road^ 
 inevitably lay the foundation of differeat inflam- 
 !natory diforders> 
 
 Sainfoin is rather an article of i>eceflity than 
 choice, and very little known in fome parts of 
 England, where nature has been more liberal in 
 her diverfity of vegetation i it is principally culti- 
 vated in the upland counties, where neither a mea- 
 dow, ftream, or rivulet, is to be feen for a great 
 number of miles in fuccelTion. Many very exten- 
 five farms in the lower counties weft of the metro- 
 polis, feel the want of pafture land, not having a 
 fmgle acre of meadow or natural grafs in poffeffion. 
 NecefTity, the mother of invention, has, however, 
 
 fo 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 403 
 
 fo amply furniflied a variety of fubflitutes, that 
 their horfes, and (lock of every kind, feem equal, 
 upon the average, to what is produced in any other 
 part of the kingdom. 
 
 HAYS— are a particular kind of nets for taking 
 RABBITS and HARESj the ufe of which are profcribed 
 in almofl: every AQ, to be found in the penal fta- 
 tutes for the preservation of game. They are 
 made from fixty to one hundred and twenty feet 
 long, and fix feet deep ; conflituting the moil de- 
 ftrudive engine of any ever yet invented to /irip a 
 country^ by the mode in which they are ufed. They 
 are only in the poffeffion of poachers of the firft 
 magnitude, (in the neighbourhoods of parks, hare 
 warrens, and preserves,} by whofe defperate and 
 determined no5iurnal exertions the wholesale 
 trade of the metropolis is invariably fuppliedi 
 
 HAYWARD-^is a manorial parochial officer^ 
 appointed to preferve the privileges, and protect the 
 rights, im.munitics, and cattle, of thofe who are enti- 
 tled to commonage of certain lands, waftes, Szc, He 
 derives from his appointment, authority to drive his 
 diilricl at ftated periods, well known in its vici- 
 nity; to impound ftrays, and to prevent nuifances 
 of difeafed cattle ; or any other impropriety of 
 cattle breaking bounds, and deftroying fences, of 
 which it comes within the intent of his office to take 
 cognizance. To all which there are certain local 
 D d 3 fees 
 
. 40-1' . SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 . fees appertaining, according to the cuftom of the 
 country, for the fupport of an office very wifely in- 
 ftituted to prevent trifling law-fuits and paltry liti- 
 gations. 
 
 HAZARD — is, beyond a doubt, the moft 
 faflironable and fafcinating game ever yet invented 
 for the expeditious and inftantaneous transfer of 
 immenfe fums from one hand to another. It is a 
 CAxME of chance; and, \i\\tn Jairly played, is the 
 FAIREST upon which a ftake can poffibly be made, 
 from one guinea to a thousand, or to any amount 
 whatever; the winning or lofing of which is decided 
 ; with fo much rapidity, that the adventurer can 
 never be more than a few moments in fufpenfe^ 
 although he may be many years in repentance. 
 Hazard is the game of nocturnal celebrity, by 
 which the befi: ellates have been impoverifhed, and 
 immenfe property deftroyed : it is played with a 
 box and pair of dice, and is of confiderable anti- 
 quity, as noticed by Shakespeare in Richard the 
 Third, whom he has made to fay, 
 
 *' Slave, I have fet my life upon a cast, 
 
 '' And I will ftand the hazard of the die.'* 
 
 The perfon holding the box is called the Caster, 
 who having been fd as much money by the fur- 
 rounding company (or any individual) as he pro- 
 -j3ofes to ikroiv for^ and the stake or stakes being 
 
 depofitcd 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. ^VO 
 
 depofited within a centrical circle upon the table, 
 he then throws the dice from the box, and whatever 
 number appears upon the furface is termed '' the 
 main;'* and fo vociferated loudly by a perfon 
 called the Groom Porter, who (lands above the 
 reft, and whofe bufinefs it is to call the main and 
 chance, furnifh frefli dice when demanded, and to 
 receive the money for a box-hand when due. So 
 foon as the 7nain is declared, w^hich, in fad, is the 
 number by which the Carter's opponents mud 
 abide for themfelves, the Carter throws a fecond 
 time, and this number is called the chance^ being 
 his own chance againft the main previoufly thrown; 
 and fo named, becaufe it is the number of the 
 MAIN of the players againft the chance of the indi- 
 vidual who is the Caster, and makes ftakes againft 
 the whole, or any part of the reft. 
 
 The main and chance being proclaimed by the 
 Groom Porter, odds are generally laid between 
 the thro w\s (upon the termination of the event) ac- 
 cording to the numbers opp.ofed to each other, and 
 according to the fcale by which all bets upon the 
 game are regulated, and ftriclly obferved. The 
 Cafter may, or may not, engage in any of thefe 
 bets, which he very frequently does, as a hedge 
 (or fence) to his own ftakes, when the odds are /a- 
 iojoiir, or TWO to one, in his favour: at any rate, 
 he continues to throw the dice in fuccelfton, till 
 c'llh^v the 7nain or chance appears: if the main is 
 
 D d 3 frj 
 
406 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 firjl thrown, thofe who " fet the Cafter" draw 
 their money ; the Cailer is then faid to have 
 ^' thrown out," and palFes the box to his next 
 neighbour: on the contrary, fhould he have thrown 
 his own chance firji^ he is then the winner, and of 
 courfe not only draws all the money he Jlaked and 
 letted^ but continues to hold the box, and throw 
 a " new main" for any fum he wifties to be fet^ in 
 which a Caller is never known to be difappointed. 
 
 When a Caster has thrown in (that is, has 
 won) three times in fucceffion, it is termed " a 
 BOX HAND," and he then pays half a guinea to the'. 
 Groom Porter, for the privilege of playing, the 
 Tife of box and dice, negus, Sec. provided for the 
 accommodation of the company. The box con- 
 tinues in the Caller's poffefTion fo long as he con* 
 tinues to throw nz, (paying an additional half guinea 
 every third time of winning ;) but the firft time he 
 lofes, he refigns the box to the player fitting next 
 to him, unlefs he requefls, and is permitted to re- 
 new his own play^ which is then called taking " a 
 back hand." There are more minute diftin^lions, 
 as well as a fixed table of the odds during the play ^ 
 but they are too long for infertion; and could not 
 be fo clearly comprehended by theory, as under- 
 ftood by pra8ice, 
 
 HEAD. — The correcl formation of a horfe's 
 head is fo indifpenfibly neceffary to the ftriking 
 
 fymmetry 
 
 1 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 407 
 
 fymmetry and correfponding uniformity of the 
 whole, that its make fhould never be inadvertently 
 overlooked in a haft-y purchafe. The head, the 
 creft, the curve of the neck, and the entire of the 
 forehand, are what may be termed the predominant 
 features, or diftinguifhing traits, which alone feeru, 
 hold forth, in general, a tolerably jufl idea of what 
 may be expelled to follow. In the prefent flate of 
 equeftrian improvement, the beauty of a horfe's 
 head is too well known to require a literary defcrip- 
 tion : nor would the word itfelf have been introduced, 
 but to remand every clafs of fportfmen, that thofe 
 who purchafe a horfe too thick in the jole, or a head 
 too large for the body, mufl never expe6l to be 
 complimented upon the beauty of the acquifition, 
 
 HEAD, PAIN IN. — Horfes, it is fuppofed and 
 admitted, may be fubje8: to pains in the head; 
 and that fuch pains may proceed from caufes it is 
 impoffible to explore. As, therefore, every at- 
 tempt at definition muft reft upon conjedure, it 
 is evidently better not to advance opinions founded 
 upon uncertainty, by which many may be mijledy 
 none either instructed or entertained. For 
 fymptoms, fee Ears. 
 
 HEAD OF A DEER. See Antlers. 
 
 HEAD-STALL— is the part of a cavefon, 
 
 bridle, or hunting-rein halter, which paffes round, 
 
 D d 4 and 
 
40S SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 and on each fide the head of the horfe, and to which 
 the reins of either are affixed, for ufe in the field 
 or on the road, and for fafety in the ftable. 
 
 HEATH-FOWL — are a fpecies of grouse, 
 (paffing under the denomination of black game,) 
 of which there are different forts, individually ex- 
 preffed in the various aQ:s of fuccefTive Parliaments 
 fpr the prefervation of the game; as " grouse, 
 iiEATH-cocK, MOOR-GAME, or any fuch fowl." To 
 prevent the general deftruQion that muft evidently 
 follow, if game of this defcription was purfued and 
 taken at all feafons of the year without reftraint, 
 t]ie Legiflature has wifely provided a remedy by 
 the following prohibition, exclufive of the penal^ 
 ties annexed to other AQs for killing without the 
 neceil'ary qualifications. 
 
 By the 13th George Third, c, Iv. f. 2, No per- 
 fon fliall /a'//, dejlroy^ carry ^ fell, buy, or have in 
 his fioj/ejjion, any heath-fowl, commonly called 
 hlack game, between the ienih day of December and 
 the twentieth day of Augi'Jl ; nor any grouse, com- 
 monly called red game, between the tenth day of 
 JDecemher and the ticelfth day of Augufi ; nor any 
 bustard between the frjl day of March and the 
 firyl: day of September, in any year, upon pain of 
 forfeiting, for the first offence, a fum not ex- 
 ceeding TWENTY, nor lefs than ten pounds ; and for 
 fhe SECOND, and every fubfequent oftence, a fum 
 
 3 ^^^ 
 
SPORTING- DICTIOJTARV. 409 
 
 ^ot exceeding thirty, nor lt?fs'than twenty pounds : 
 One moiety thereof to go to the informer, the 
 other to the poor of the parifh. 
 
 HEAVIER. — A STAG deprived of his tefticles 
 by CASTRATION, is then called a heavier, which 
 operation is occafionally performed, that a fupply 
 may not be wanting for the chase during the time 
 of rutting ; in which the stag is perpetually ranging 
 from one hind to another, for three weeks or 
 longer; not allowing himfelf the comforts of food, 
 SLEEP, or rest. Towards the termination he be- 
 comes lean, languid, and deje6led; when, having 
 executed the taflv prefcribed by Nature, he with- 
 draws himfelf from fociety, to feek repofe and 
 food. At this period he is fo ill-adapted for sport 
 with the HOUNDS, that the operation of caftrating 
 was adopted as an alternative to the temporary fuf- 
 penfion of the royal chase. 
 
 It is worthy of remark, that if a flag undergoes 
 the operation when his horns are shed, they never 
 grow again ; on the contrary, if it is performed 
 while the horns are in perfection, they will never 
 exfoliate ; and it is equally remarkable, that being 
 deprived of only one tefticle, the horn will not re- 
 generate on that hde, but will continue to grow, and 
 annually fhed on the other, where the fingle tefticle 
 has not been taken away. Heaviers are of great 
 ilrength, and Hand a long time before hounds ; for 
 
 which 
 
410 aPORtlNC niCTIONAY. 
 
 -which reafon the hunting eftablifhment of bis Ma- 
 jesty in Windsor Forest is never without a re- 
 gular fucceffion. 
 
 HEAVY IN HAND.— A horfe is faid to be 
 heavy in hand, wlien, from want of fpirit, he goe^ 
 Huggifhly on, bearing his whole weight upon the 
 5,jT ; as if the hand of the rider alone prevented his 
 pitching upon his head; and this to a good horfe- 
 man is one of the mod unpleafing defeEls a horse 
 can polTefs. Horfes of this defcription fhould be 
 rode in a Weymouth bridle, (fee Bit,) and con- 
 llantly made to feel the curb rein; when at the 
 fame moment, that ufeful monitor iht fpur fliould 
 be brought into brifk and fudden contaQ: with the 
 body ; a perfeverance in which praftice will be 
 found the only mode to remedy the inconvenience. 
 See Hand, 
 
 HEELS. — The heels of a horfe, critically fpeak- 
 ing, imply only that part of the hoof which is the 
 very reverfe of the toe; feated behind, and forming 
 the back of the foot, acrofs the widefl end of the 
 frog, extending from one point of the heel to the 
 other. Cuftom has, however, fo far extended 
 both the idea and the expreffion, that in the prefent 
 general acceptation of the word, it is admitted to 
 include the feet as high as the fetlock-joint; fo that 
 the heels are fubjeft to accidents, inconveniencies, 
 defe6ls, and blemifhes, as cracks, scratches, 
 
 ©VERREACHESj ^ 
 
5P0RTING DICTIONARY. 411 
 
 OVERREACHES, GREASE, Scc, The hccls of a horfe, 
 to be good, fhould be high, (that is, of a proper 
 length from the hair above to the ground below,) 
 firm, and fubftantial, open on each fide the frog, 
 and never ftiould be cut down too low by the de- 
 fl;ru8:ive inflrument of the shqeing-smith ; an 
 error in both judgment and practice, to which may- 
 be juftly attributed the frequent failure in the back 
 finews; for where the heels are unnaturally rcr 
 duced, and the tendons in part deprived of their 
 fupport, they have evidently to encounter a pre- 
 ternatural diftenfion, by which the elafticity is par- 
 tially deftroyed, and fome of the fibrous coats con- 
 fequently ruptured. 
 
 HEELS NARROW— is a defea, or inconve- 
 nience, to which HQ?vSEs are conftantly fubje8;; 
 but they are produced much more by the officious 
 obtrufions of art, than any deficiency in the ori- 
 ginal formation of nature. Horfes with narrow 
 heels are generally thofe who have had very little 
 attention paid to the ftate of the feet, by either 
 master or man., during the operation of shoeing; 
 and where the journeyman fmith too often, from 
 abfolute idlenefs, affixes a fiioe too narroio to the 
 pooT, and then, to increafe the injury, reduces the 
 pooT to the dimenfions of ihtjhoe. 
 
 This grievance is much eafier prevented than re- 
 Tpedied; for when once a deJric5iion oi' parts has 
 
 been 
 
41'2 SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 been inconfiderately occafioned, a regeneration 
 may not be eafily obtained. The cruel and invin- 
 cible pradice of applying the hot JJioc to the foot 
 (by way of fitting it) during the a6l of flioeing, 
 contributes in no fmall degree to the contraftion of 
 the heel; and when this injury is once fuftained, 
 great care and conftant attention become neceffary 
 to folicit a /renovation. Whether it has been occa- 
 fioned by the fatal operation of the cutting-knife^ 
 the fafliionable back-ftroke fritlion of the rafp^ or 
 the fiery effetl of the hotjlioe when conveyed from 
 the FORGE to the foot, the dire8: road to relief is 
 precifely the fame : nightly flopping with any ap- 
 plicable compofition calculated to mollify the bot- 
 tom of the hoof, and to promote its expanfion, 
 with a plentiful impregnation of fperma-cseti oil 
 daily, are the only fure and certain means by 
 which the heels can be reflored to their original 
 and proper formation. 
 
 HEELER — is the perfon who afExes the deadly 
 weapon called a spur (made of either fteel or filver) 
 to the heel of a game cock, when taken from the 
 pen previous to his being carried to the cock-pit to 
 fight his battle. A hard-hitting cock, who is per- 
 petually fighting with effecl, and gives his adver- 
 fary no time to fland Hill, or look about him, is 
 likewife called a heeler, 
 
 HELPSj 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 4l3 
 
 HELPS, OR AIDS, — are terms appertaining' 
 folely to the xManege and riding-school, little 
 known elfewhere, and totally unconne6led with the 
 fports of the field. Professors technically defcribe 
 feven helps neceflary to complete the lefTon given 
 to a horfe; as the voice, whip, bit, calves of 
 the LEGS, the stirrups, the spur, and the ground. 
 
 HEROD, — commonly called King Herod^ was 
 the firll horfe of his time as a racer, and after- 
 wards as a stallion. He was bred by the then 
 Duke of Cumberland, and got by Tartar out of 
 Cypron^ who was got by Blaze; he was foaled in 
 1758, and, after beating every horfe that could be 
 brought againft him at four, five, and fix years 
 old, he became a ftallion of the firft celebrity, and 
 tranfmitted a greater progeny to pofterity, than any 
 other horfe in the whole annals of fporting, unlefs 
 Eclipfe and Highflyer (his fon) are admitted upon 
 the fcore of equality. 
 
 HIDEBOUND — is an impoveriflied flate of the 
 frame and fyftem to which horfes are frequently re- 
 duced, and partakes much more of negled in food 
 and ftable difcipline, than of conftitutional defect, 
 or acquired difeafe. A horfe faid to be hidebound 
 has the appearance of being emaciated ; the coat is 
 of a dingy variegated hue, flaring difierent ways, 
 with a fcurfy dull underneath ; the (kin is of an un- 
 pliable rigidity, feeming to adhere clofely to the 
 
 internal 
 
414 SfOl^tlNG DICTIONARY. 
 
 internal parts, denoting a deficiency of the fluids, 
 an obftrudion of the porous fyftem, and a languor 
 in the circulation. 
 
 The whole, or any part of thefe, may originate 
 in various caufes ; as a fliort allowance of good and 
 healthy food, or a profufion of bad. Nothing will 
 produce it fooner than hard work with had keep, 
 and a conftant expofure to all weathers, in the fe- 
 verity of the winter feafon. Mufty oats, mouldy 
 hay, and winter ftraw-yards, are generally the 
 harbingers of this appearance, which in all cafes is 
 very eafily removed : good ftable difcipline, in 
 wifping and dreffing, regular daily exercife, a few 
 mafhes nightly of ground malt and bran, equal 
 parts, followed by a cordial ball every morning, or 
 an antimonial alterative powder nightly in the 
 mafh, will foon be found to anfwer every expeda- 
 tion, and reftore the fubjeB: to good condition. 
 
 HIGHFLYER — was the name of a late cele- 
 brated HORSE, that, taken " for all in all," (as a 
 RACER and a stallion,) far exceeded any other 
 ever known in this kingdom. He was foaled in 
 1774; Y;as got by Herod out of Rachel^ who was 
 got by Bla7ik; her dam by Regulus, &c. He w^as 
 purchafed of the breeder, w^hen a colt rifmg twa 
 years old, by the late Lord Bolingbroke, and 
 was then thought to be getting too large and un- 
 promifing for any capital performances upon the 
 
 turf. 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 415 
 
 turf. It was, however, obfcrved by the training 
 groom, that he difplayed aftonifhing powers ia 
 fome of his firfl trials ; and it was upon his fug- 
 geftion Highflyer was immediately named in the 
 mod capital fweepftakes and fubfcriptions then 
 open; winning all which with the greatefl eafe, he 
 was at the very zenith of his celebrity as a racer, 
 when Lord Bolingeroke, difgufted with the vil- 
 lainous deceptions and variegated viciffitudes of 
 THE turf, as well as declining daily in his health. 
 Highflyer was purchafed of his Lordfnip by Mr. 
 Tattersal, who fixed him as a ftallion at a farm of 
 his own near Ely, in Cambridgefhire, where his fuc* 
 cefs foon damped the fpot with the name of High- 
 flyer Hall, which it will mofl probably ever retain. 
 Here he covered for fome years at thirty guineas; 
 and from the almofl incredible number of mares he 
 was permitted to cover, it was concluded he pro- 
 duced to his owner no lefs than from fifteen hun- 
 dred to two thoufand pounds a year, for many years 
 in fucceffion. His progeny of winners only ex- 
 ceeded three hundred in number, who received, 
 in fubfcriptions, plates and fweepftakes, above a 
 thousand prizes. Amongfl: the moft celebrated 
 of his get were Efcape^ (who once fold for 1500 
 guineas.) Eiiphrofyne^ BaJJiful, Maid of all Work^ 
 Plutitia, Sir Pepper, Sir Peter Teazle, Skylark^ 
 Skyrocket, Skyfcraper^ SpadiUe, Rockingham, Tohy^ 
 Thalia, Walnut, Old Tat, Vermin, Skypecper^ 
 Grcufe^ Ohcron, Screveton^ Diamond, Sparkler, 
 1 Guildford^ 
 
41^ SPORTING DICTIO!n^ARY. 
 
 Guildford^ Moorcock^ and Stickler : of whom fe- 
 veral are now ftallioris in the higheft reputation at 
 ten and fifteen guineas each, 
 
 HIND — is the female of the fpecies called Rzn 
 DEER, the male of w-hich is ternied a stag : the 
 offspring of both is, during its firil year, called a 
 calf; and thefe only are the deer hunted by the 
 King's stag-hounds. 
 
 HIP-SHOT. — The defect fo termed is an in- 
 jury frequently fuftained in the hip joint, but not 
 always with the fame degree of fcverity. It is a 
 ligamentary twift, or diftortion, by which the 
 junBion of xht hones is materially aftecled, but not 
 amounting to abfolute dislocation ; although it 
 may proceed from a variety of caufes, in fudden 
 Ihocks from the different prominencies of, or cavi- 
 ties in^ an uneven and irregular pavement; blov/s^j 
 STRAi-K^s, or WRENCHES, (iu drawing heavy loads,) 
 as well as by sliding, or falling; vet there is> 
 little doubt but it occurs much oftner from carelefs^ 
 nefs^ inattention^ and brutality, either by a violent 
 blow from the pofl of the flable door, in being 
 haftily led in or out, than by any other means 
 whatever. Let what wull be the caufe, a cure is fel- 
 dom completely efFefted; for as the injury is not 
 only deeply, but critically feated, fo if the horfc,- 
 after any medical means have been ufed, is turned 
 out to obtain flrength, a repetition of work generally 
 
 produce^ 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 417 
 
 produces a relapfe of the injury originally fuf- 
 tained. 
 
 HOCK, or HOUGH.— The joint of the leg 
 behind^ correfponding with the knee be/ore^ is fo 
 called. Its office, in fullaining the principal 
 weight, and various turns of the body, renders it 
 liable to injuries, which, when they happen, arc 
 not unfrequently both fevere and permanent. 
 Bone spavins, blood spavins, and curbs, are of 
 this defcription. 
 
 HOLD — is a term of trifling import, yet, as it 
 appertains to the important a8: of propagation be- 
 tween the HORSE and the mare, its emphatic figni- 
 fication cannot be omitted. When a mare has 
 taken the horfe, that is, when copulation is com- 
 pleted, a doubt generally arifes, whether the mare 
 w^ill hold; that is, whether flie fufficiently retains 
 the male femen to conftitute conception. The 
 rr.are being brought to the horfe on the ninth day, 
 from the firft time of covering, if fhe again re- 
 ceives the horfe, that alone is held a fufficient 
 proof file did not hold before: fhe is, neverthelefs, 
 brought again to the horfe at the end of another 
 nine days, and when fhe has refufed twice to take 
 the horfe, fhe is then faid to be stinted, and no 
 doubt entertained of her being in foal. 
 
 You I. E e HOOF. 
 
418 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 HOOF. — The hoof of a horfe is that hard and 
 horny fubftance at the lower extremity of the legs, 
 coming into contaB: with the ground, and upon 
 which are placed flioes, made of iron, for the pre- 
 fervation of the feet. The hoof, to be perfe6l and 
 uniform, fhould nearly circumfcribe five eighths 
 of a circle, with a tranfverfe line from one point 
 of the heel to the other, as if a fegment of three 
 eighths was taken away; in addition to which 
 form, it fliould be folid in fubftance, fmooth to the 
 hand, and free from the contracted rings, or 
 -wrinkles, fimilar to thofe upon the horns of cattle, 
 by which the age is afcertained. 
 
 Hoofs are very different in both property and 
 appearance, and a great deal of this depends upon 
 the manner in which they are treated. The welN 
 known and well-founded adage, that " Doctors 
 DIFFER," was never more verified than in the fub« 
 \cEi before us; previous to the neceffary remarks 
 upon which, it will be proper to point out the 
 diftinft or oppofite texture and property of fuch 
 hoofs, before we advert to the moft applicable 
 mode of treatment for each. The hoofs of fome 
 horfes are fo naturally dry, and fo defeftive in ani- 
 mal moifture, that they gradually contrad, be- 
 come apparently comprefled, and narrow at the 
 heel, as well as acquire a degree of brittlenefs 
 hardly to be believed ; in which ftate fplinters are 
 frequently fcaling off from the edges of the hoof, 
 
 at 
 
SI^ORTINC DICTIONARY. 4-19 
 
 at many places where tlie nails are unavoidably in- 
 ferted to fcciire the pofition of the shoe, for the 
 prefervation of the foot. 
 
 Thefe are the fpecics of hoof much more 
 fufceptible of injury than any other, particularly 
 of sANDCRACKs; dcfccts which, when they happen, 
 very much reduce the value of the horfe if offered 
 for faie; not more in refpeO: to the blemish, thaii 
 the perpetual apprehenlion and expectation of hir> 
 becoming irrecoverably lame. Hoofs of this de- 
 fcription (liould be plentifully impregnated with 
 fperma-cseti oil every night all round the foot; and 
 the bottom (Iiould be (topped with a compofitioii 
 of ftiff cow-dung, and the (kimming of the pot in 
 which fat meat has been boiled, previoufiy pre- 
 ferved, and well incorporated for that purpofe. It 
 has been alferted by thofe who fpeculate, and pro- 
 pagate the report o^ fancy for fact, that " unftuous 
 or greafy applications are prejudicial to the feet," 
 of which indefinite, vague and imperfect expref- 
 fion, the weak and wavering happily avail them- 
 felves, and boldly declare, under fanclion of the 
 equivocal mutation in meaning, that every thing 
 greafy is injurious to the hoofs. 
 
 It is a degree of juilice that fo egregious an ab- 
 furdity fhould be expofed. Without defcending 
 to a minute and fcientific analyzation of the hoof 
 in its animated flate, to afcertain how far it is, or 
 
 E e 2 is 
 
420 SPORTING DICTIONARY* 
 
 is not, a POROUS fabftance, it becomes Only necef? 
 fary to demonftrate its pofTefling the property of 
 ABSORPTION from external application. That this 
 may be the more clearly comprehended, let it be 
 remembered, if a fingle drop of sperma-c.^ti oil 
 is left upon a quire of white paper, it will, by its 
 penetrative property, pafs through each leaf of the 
 quire, till every particle of its moifture is ex- 
 haufted, where it terminates in a fpace little larger 
 than the point of a needle : from whence it is fair 
 to infer, this article, in a ftate of perfe8: lique- 
 faftion, will infinuate itfelf into, or go through, 
 any polTible fubftance where a liquid can be fup- 
 pofed to pafs : this admitted, upon clear and in- 
 difputable proof, it becomes neceffary to proceed 
 to its effe6l upon the dry^ hard^ contra^ed, b7^ittle 
 
 JlOOf of the HORSE. 
 
 If the foot is held up from the litter with the 
 hand, and with the ftable-brufh well impreg- 
 nated with oz7, fo as to be left tolerably wet up- 
 on the furface, perfevering patience (by hold- 
 the foot from the ground a few minutes) will 
 prove, that the oil with which the hoof was fo 
 plentifully bailed, has nearly disappeared, al- 
 though no drop has fallen to the ground. What 
 will the rigid difputant, or cynical Sceptic, oppofe 
 to this faft, when aficed what is become of the oil 
 fo recently laid on? From the fertile refources of 
 §^ exhalation,'' '• evaporation," or even '* run- 
 ning 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 421 
 
 ni7ig 0^," he can derive no afii (lance to fupport 
 him in the erroneous opinion he has formed; and 
 perhaps an obftinacy, from time and cuftom be- 
 come habitual, will not permit him (till his judg- 
 ment is more matured by experience) to admit, 
 that it is loft to the eye, and taken up by absorp- 
 tion. This, however, is the faft, and to the in- 
 credulous, who are open to conviction, and will- 
 ing to make the experiment, it will appear, that 
 this treatment of the hoof, and the stopping pre- 
 vioufly mentioned, (if nightly perfevered in,) will^ 
 in lefs than three shoeings, completely reftcre 
 and improve the moft brittle and battered hoofs iri 
 the kingdom. So much cannot be faid of unBuom 
 or greQjfy fubftances; for, from their confidence, 
 not poflefling the property of penetration, they 
 can add none to the expansion of the hoof; from 
 the dry and preternaturally contracted (late of 
 which the defect generally arifes ; and by the addi- 
 tional growth and diftenfion of the hoof alone caa 
 be relieved. 
 
 HOOF^BOUNDo— See Compression and Heels 
 Narrow. 
 
 HORSE — is the name of the moft beautiful, 
 the moft ufeful, and the moft valuable, animal, 
 this or any other nation has to boaft : the majeftic 
 extent of his formation, the graceful eafe of every 
 motion^ the imm.enfity of his ftrength, the fmooth 
 E e 3 and 
 
4^2'2 SPORTING DICTlOXARl^-i 
 
 and glolTy furface of his fkin, the pliability of hh 
 temper, and, above every other confideration, hb 
 rapidity of action, and general utility, render him 
 highly worthy the care, attention, and pecuniary 
 eftimation he is now held in from one extremity 
 of the earth to the other. He is the mod fpirited 
 and moft powerful of all creatures; yet the moil 
 generous, docile, grateful and obedient to the pur- 
 pofes of m^an as an individual, as well as to all the 
 AGRICULTURAL and COMMERCIAL advantages of fo- 
 ciety at large. He may be jullly termed the great 
 main-fpring of pleasure to one clafs, and of pro- 
 fit to the other; without v;hofe aid, the eternal 
 routine of both muft come to immediate termina- 
 tion, conftituting a chaos very far beyond the 
 moll fertile imagination to conceive or defcribe. 
 
 The natural hiftory, the form, and general 
 utility, of the horfe, is become fo perfe6lly fami- 
 liar to every eye, that the lefs will be required 
 upon thofe points in explanation. The various 
 pleafurable purpofes, and ufeful talks, to which 
 horfes are appropriated in this country, has long 
 fince demonftrated the confiftency of cultivating, 
 by feleft and judicious propagation, each parti- 
 cular kind of ftock, fo as to render it individually 
 applicable to the ufe for which it is intended. The 
 numbers annually produced, and annually de- 
 llroyed, within the circle of our own ifle (even in 
 time of peace) exceed common conception, and of 
 
 which 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 423 
 
 %v'hich no computation can be tolerably formed. 
 The long lift conftantly bred for, and engaged 
 upon, the turf; the sports of the fikld; the na- 
 tional eftablifliment of military cavalry; the 
 carriage horfes of the opulent, rattling through 
 every ftreet of every city and large town in the 
 kingdom; the thoitfands employed in agricul- 
 ture, as well as all the draft work of the me- 
 tropolis; in addition to the infinity dinntxtd to 
 MAIL and STAGE coaches, as well as to the post 
 WORK, and thofe ufeful drudges denominated 
 roadsters, in the pofleffion of every clafs of 
 people, conftitute an aggregate that in contempla- 
 tion excites the utniofl admiration. 
 
 The ^ conftantly increafing opulence, or the 
 conftantly increaiing luxury, has rendered the de- 
 Biand for horfes fo very fuperior to the example of 
 any previous period, that no comparative ftate- 
 ment of former and prefent value can hardly be 
 afcertained. The faftiionable rage for expeditious 
 travelling, and of being conveyed at the rate of 
 £ight or NINE miles an hour from one part of the 
 kingdom to another, is the abfolute furor of the 
 times, and fupported at an immenfe expence by 
 thofe whofe peculiar perfonal pride prompts them 
 to difplay the advantages refulting from opulence, 
 and the privileges from oftentation ; to the inceftant 
 mifery and premature deftruQion of thoufands, 
 whofe fervices would be infured for years by a 
 E e 4 more 
 
424 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 tiiore moderate and piumane mode of treatment» 
 The incredible increafe of light carriages of every 
 defcription, has opened fuch a field for the ufe 
 of horfcs of airy form, and eafy aClion, that they 
 are now in eternal requeft, at more than double^ 
 and in many purchafes treble, ^vhat they were 
 to be obtained for no more than twenty years 
 fince. 
 
 The different kinds of horfes bred for various 
 purpofes, pafs under the denomination of run- 
 ning HORSES, HUNTERS, CARRIAGE HORSES, CART 
 
 HORSES, ROADSTERS, and HACKS. Thc firft are 
 propagated in the racing ftuds of the mod opulent 
 characters, and appropriated entirely to the deci- 
 iion of fporting engagements upon the turf; 
 many of which, after having difplayed their 
 pov/ers in this way, then become hunters of thc 
 firjl clafs, and are frequently fold at three and 
 four hundred guineas each. Carriage horses, 
 with which the gay and fafliionable are now 
 whirled through the weficrn fcreets of the metro- 
 polis with the mofi incredible velocity, were form- 
 erly confidered the good, fafe, fubilantial English 
 HUNTER, and might /o7'ty years fince have been 
 purchafed for thirty or five-and-thirty pounds, 
 which was at that time about the current value : 
 they are not now, hov/ever, from the conftantly 
 accumulating demand, and inccffant deftruHion, to 
 be procured in a Rate of youth and purity, at lefs 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 4^5 
 
 than nearly three times that fum. Cart horses of 
 great lize, ftrength, and adequate powers, are prin- 
 cipally furniflied by the midland and northern 
 counties, for the coal and corn trade, as well as 
 the commercial purpofes of the city and fuburbs, 
 where they command an incredible price : fmall 
 and inferior forts are bred in, and difperfed 
 through, almoll every other county in the king- 
 dom. Roadsters and hacks may be fuppofed to 
 include that great infinity of all fizes, defcriptions, 
 and qualifications, with which every road, every 
 common, and every pafture, feem fo plentifully to 
 abound. 
 
 If fuperior judgment and circumfpeQion were 
 ever truly neceffary in the fele6lion and purchafe 
 of a horse, they are become doubly fo, when the 
 obje6l of purfuit is proportionably difficult of at- 
 tainment. To direct the eye, to form the judg- 
 ment, and to check the natural impetuofity of the 
 young and inexperienced purchafcr, fome few re- 
 marks are indifpenfibly neceffary to fliield him 
 from the rock of fafcination, upon which {o many 
 have repentantly foundered. The mind of niari 
 fiiould never be more itfeif, never more adequate 
 to the tafk^of cool deliberation and patient obfer- 
 vation, tlian in the fimple examination of a horfe 
 for fale. Deception in dealing is fo truly fyfic- 
 matic^ and fo truly honorable in the prefent age, 
 that the mind cannot be too clofcJv fortified for 
 
 3 ' all 
 
4^6 SPORTING DICTIONARY* 
 
 all events : whether the fubje6l is to be fold by 
 AUCTION, or by private contraB^ the property of 
 a GENTLEMAN, or the offer of a dealer^ the ground 
 Gi felf defence fliould be precifely the fame. 
 
 It is the fixed and invariable rule Vv'ith every 
 DEALER, to affeft, at firjl^ a perfecl indifference re- 
 fpecling the horfe he wiflies moll to get rid of; 
 and he always makes a point of never giving the 
 unequivocal price of any horfe till he has been feen 
 out of the ftable; during which time o{ Jhewing out^ 
 he, as well as his emiffaries and attendants, are oc- 
 calionally engaged in w'atching mofl attentively 
 every trait of the intentional purchafer's counte- 
 nance, anxious for a (ingle fign of approbation, by 
 which to regulate the magnitude of his demand ; 
 afking jive^ ten^ jijieen^ or tiventy guineas more 
 than he originally intended, in proportion as he 
 finds the enquirer fafcinated with his object of 
 perfe6lion, and difpofed to purchafe. Before the 
 horfe is brought out, it is in vain to entreat the 
 ceremony of ^'figging" may be difpenfed with; 
 it is declared a cvjlom of honor amongft the frater- 
 nity, and muff be complied with. 
 
 This prelude performed, and his Jlern thrown 
 upon his back like the tail of a fquirrel, he is li- 
 terally driven into action ; the whip (with which he 
 is privately alarmed in his ftall twenty times a 
 day) cannot be permitted to lay dormant even 
 
 Q upon 
 
SPORTIN'G DICTIONARY. All 
 
 upon the prefent occafion, particularly when its 
 flaggellating flouri/h can be difplaycd to fo great 
 an advantage; the irritating feverity of the lafli, 
 fo retentively dreaded, he Jarioujly flies from, and 
 affords an 2X\x2,^\ng Jpecimtn o{ fpeed you may 
 look for in vain upon any future occafion. After 
 this curious exhibition of his actiOxN^, the horfe ftill 
 trembling with a dread of the deadly injlrument 
 waving in his fight, it will be proper to make a 
 minute and careful examination of his fliapc, 
 make, probable perfection, or pofTible hlemiJJus 
 and defeBs^ if the horfe is permitted by the dealer 
 to fland quiet, a favor which is not alzoays to be 
 obtained. 
 
 This done, place yourfelf dire6lly oppofite to 
 the horfe's head at two yards diflance, in which 
 pofition, calling your eyes upon his eafs, and 
 dropping them gradually from one point to 
 another, you command, at a fingle view, the ef- 
 fect of his countenance, the good or bad flate of 
 his EYES, the breadth of his breafl, i\\Q fate of his 
 KNEES, the appearance of splents, as well as the 
 growth and uniformity of the feet. Changing 
 your place to a fide view, at fimilar diftance, vou 
 have there the curve of the crest, the circumfe- 
 rence of the BONE, the depth of the chest, the 
 length of the back, the flrength of the loins, the 
 fetting on of the tail, and the falhionable finifli of 
 the hind quarter; without which, individually per- 
 
 ' fea, 
 
428 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 fe6l, he cannot be in pofTenTion of the fymniet-y 
 that is known to conftitute a handfome and well- 
 bred horfe. 
 
 Looking at him heJiind^ it is inftantly perceived^ 
 •whether he Hands well upon his legs, and is formed 
 ^vide, firm and mufcular acrofs the gaskins, or 
 narrow and contraQed, bearing what is termed a 
 *• handy -hocked'' or cat-hamincd'' appearance. The 
 fame moment affords opportunity to obferve, if 
 BLOOD SPAVINS arc perceptible within fide, bone 
 SPAVINS without, or curbs on the back of the 
 hock; as well as splents upon any one of the 
 legs, and whether he cuts either behind or before. 
 If blood or bone fpavin is obferved, it is neceffary 
 to recoil eel (however attracting the obje8: may be 
 in other refpefts) they fooner or later product 
 lameness to a certainty ; and although they arc 
 not deemed abfolutely incurable^ they open a field 
 to the difquietude and anxiety of blistering,- 
 FIRING, Sec. with the additional and confolatory 
 ultimatum of a farrier's bill. Splents are by no 
 means fo critical, or dangerous, if fcated forward 
 upon the Jhank-hone^ and not likely to interfere 
 '^vith, or vibrate in the aPiion of the tendon, pafs- 
 ing under the denomination of the " back finews;'* 
 in which cafe, a good and otherways valuable 
 horfe need not be declined for fo flight a caufe,- 
 %here no injury is like to be fullaincd. 
 
 Having 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 429* 
 
 Having proceeded thus far in the examinatioa 
 with llri8: attention, it becomes equally neceflary 
 to defcend minutely to the feet, in fearch of 
 
 CRACKS, CORNS, THRUSHES, COMPRESSION of thc 
 
 HOOF, NARROW HEELS, or flcfliy protubcranccs of 
 the inner^ and confequent projedion of the outer 
 Jole, The ftate of the wind is next the objeB: of 
 enquiry, which is done by making the cuilomary 
 and critical experiment of pinching the gullet or 
 -windpipe with confiderable force, nearly clofe to, 
 and jull behind the jaw-bone: fhould the horfe, 
 upon fuch preffurcj force out a found fubftantial 
 cough, (which is fometimes repeated,) the fafety 
 of the wind is afcertained ; on the contrary, fliould 
 nothing be produced but a faint hollow wheezing, 
 with a palpable heaving of the flanks, the ftate of 
 the wind may be juftly fufpefted. Should any 
 doubt arife upon the decifion, (which fometimes 
 happens with the belt and moft experienced 
 judges,) let the horfe be put into brifk a8:ion, and 
 powerful exertion, when the roaring at a diftance, 
 the laboured refpiration, and the preternatural 
 heaving of the flank, after a brifk gallop of two 
 thirds of a mile, will determine the (late of the 
 "vvjnd, without the lead chance of being miftaken. 
 
 The EYES, that w^ere only fuperficially noticed 
 as matter of courfe in the front view, when the 
 horfe was firfl: brought out of the liable, now be- 
 come |:he neceCTary objeds of minute, patient, and 
 
 judicious 
 
430 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 judicious invefligation. If they are clear, full and 
 prominent in the orb, reflefting your own figure 
 from the pupil, without any protrufion of the haw 
 from the inner corner, any inflammatory enlarge- 
 ment of the lids, or any acrid weeping from 
 either, there is then every well-founded reafon to 
 believe they are not only fafe, but good. On the 
 contrary, fliould there appear a feeming fmking of 
 the orbs, with a perceptible indentation, and^ a 
 \vrinkied contraclion above the eyelids, they are 
 very unfavorable fymptoms, indicating impending 
 ill, and fliould not be encountered, but with an 
 expeftation of certain lofs. A fmall pig eye fhould 
 be examined with great caution; they are better 
 avoided, if pofTible, as their future ff ate is not only 
 to be confidered exceedingly doubtful, but they 
 are always objefted to, and produftive of vexa- 
 tious rebuflPs, when a horfe is again to be fold. A 
 cloudy muddinefs beneath the outer covering of 
 the eye, or a milky thickening upon the furface, 
 denotes prefent deJeB^ and probability of future 
 blindnefs; in all which cafes, prudence fhould pre- 
 vent fuch fubjcd from becoming an object of aU 
 tra6lion. 
 
 The AGE, if aflvcd of a dealer, is declared " ri- 
 fmg fix" or " rifing feven;" for it mufl be held in 
 remembrance, that their horfes are never acknow- 
 ledged younger than " five," or older than '' six: 
 off"; and what is ftill more extraordinary, in ad- 
 dition 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 431 
 
 dition to this convenience^ they pofTefs the fole 
 PATENT for regeneration, having it always in their 
 power to make a ten years old horfc six, with the 
 very dehrable advantage to a pnrchafer, that he 
 lliall never be more (hy the mouth) fb long as he 
 lives. This extra effort of art, or renewal of ^^^^, 
 paffes under the denomination of " BisHoriNo," 
 (which fee,) where a defcription of the operation 
 will be found. The age of a horse by the mouth is 
 not diffimilar to abflra6l points in politics with cof- 
 fee-houfe politicians, largely talked of, but little un- 
 derftood; which circumltance alone has laid opea 
 a perpetual held for this eternal and remorfelefs 
 impofition : to remedy which, as much as the na- 
 ture of the cafe will admit, and that a matter of fo 
 much utility may with very little attention be per- 
 fectly underftood, a plate is annexed, and ac- 
 companied with fuch explanatory matter, as will 
 render it eafy to every comprehenfion. See 
 Colt, 
 
 Having gone through, with precifion, all that 
 can poflibly prefent itfelf upon the fcore of exami- 
 nation, in refped to age, fliape, make, figure, and 
 aclion, we arrive at the very ultimatum of enquiry, 
 refpe8.ing the warranty of his being perfe6lly 
 SOUND. What that warranty is, and how far it is 
 to extend^ requires a more correct and limited line 
 of certainty than feems at prefent to be under- 
 ftood. Blemishes and defects are fuppofed by 
 
 fome 
 
•432 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 foine not to conftitute unfoundnefs^ provided the 
 ACTION of the horfe is not impeded by their appear- 
 ance; whilft, on the contrary, it is as firmly urged 
 by the impartial and difintereiled, that no horfe 
 ought to be fold as^ or warranted " perfeQly 
 found," but in a date of natural and unfullied per- 
 feOiion. This criterion is the more neceffary to be 
 afcertained, and laid down by fome principle of 
 law, becaufe the numerous litigations in every fuc- 
 ceffive TERM demonftrate, that various opinions 
 prevail, according to the interest, caprice, or 
 PECUNIARY convenience, of individuals concerned; 
 to carry, fupport and confirm which, even the 
 proftitution of truth and honor mufl become 
 fubfervient. And this " glorious uncertainty of 
 the law" is fo clearly comprehended by the Gentle- 
 men of the Long Robe, that when a horse cause 
 is coming on in any of the Courts j an obfervation 
 immediately follows, that " whoever swears the 
 hardefi will obtain it." 
 
 To prevent fuits of fuch defcription, (which 
 fometimes happen between gentlemen of equal 
 honor, and ilrift integrity,) it is much to be wifhed, 
 fome direft and unequivocal mode of diftintlion 
 could be legally afcertained, how far a general 
 ^'* warranty of foundnefs" is to extend, and where 
 the line of perfe^ion or imperfeclion is to be 
 drawn; as for inftance, to eilablifh, by law or 
 custom, fome fixed and invariable rules, by which 
 
 the 
 
SPORtlN'G DICTIONARY* 433 
 
 the foundnefs of a horfe might fo far be infured 
 between buyer and seller, as to render unnecef- 
 fary fuch law-suits as are invariably fupported by 
 a fubornation of perjury on one fide or the other* 
 Nothing, perhaps, could conduce more to a caufe 
 fo defirable, or tend more to conftitute a criterion 
 of equity between all parties, if once eftablilhed, 
 and mutually underftood; that no horfe fhould be 
 deemed sound, and fold with fuch warranty, 
 but in a ftate of perfection, entirely free from 
 lamenefs^ hlemiJJi^ and deJcB^ not only at the time 
 of transfer, but never known to have been other- 
 ways : admitting which mode of dealing to form 
 the bafis of equity between one man and another, 
 an additional obfervation naturally prefents itfelf, 
 as a collateral connderation clearly implied, though, 
 not particularly exprefled 5 that a horfe fold hona, 
 fide found, and admitted on both fides to be fo at 
 the time of purchafe, fliould have no right to be 
 returned under any plea whatever; for it is uni- 
 verfally known, that any horfe fo fold, mult be as 
 liable X.o Jail lame^ become dijeafed^ or even to die^ 
 in one hour after delivery, as in any other hour of 
 life. Then where can be the equitable confiftency 
 of returning a horfe pofitively sound when fold^ 
 upon the plea of lamenefs or difeafe, when the 
 time of attack has been merely a matter of chance 
 between one and the other ? 
 
 Vol. !• Ff No 
 
4-34 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 No juvenile or inexperienced purchafer Ihould 
 be too eager and hafly in his purfuits, or too eafily 
 fafcinated with a feeming objeft of general at- 
 traction. It is exceedingly eafy to purchafe " in 
 hajle^ and repent at leifure :" none fhould be in- 
 ftantly allured by fudden fhow, and fliort in- 
 fpeftion ; too much trial cannot be obtained, nor 
 too much patience perfevered in during the exami- 
 nation. The fportfman of prudence, and perfonal 
 experience, never even fpeaks upon the price^ 
 without previoufly riding the fubje6t in queftion; 
 this he does in a remote and quiet fituation, then 
 in a bufy one. In the former, mount, difmount, 
 and mount again ; furvey and critically examine 
 him in a ftate of nature, when calm, and at a dif- 
 tance from thofe he knows to be his perfecutors as 
 well eVt as out of the liable: it is for want of thefe 
 precautions, that there are fo many dupes to arti- 
 fice, who purchafe the dulleft jades, without ad- 
 verting for a moment to the furious efiFe6l of whip, 
 SPUR, diwdi ginger ; the dealer's beft friends. 
 
 As it is by no means a proof of judgment to pur- 
 chafe hajlily^ fo, having once purchafed, it fhould 
 be an invariable maxim never to part too rafhly. 
 Innumerable are the inftances where horfes have 
 been difpofed of in the moments of caprice, and 
 precipitately fold for ffteen^ twenty^ or thirty 
 pounds, that have afterwards produced an hundred 
 or an hundred and fifty guineas. When a horfe of 
 
 promifing 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 435 
 
 promifing appearance, and pleafing allien, is rode 
 upon trial, great allowance fhould be made for the 
 ftate of his mouth : he may not only have been ac- 
 cuftomed to a different bit or bridle, but may 
 probably have been fome time ridden by a previous 
 OWNER of very different temper and difpofition. 
 One man rides with a tight^ another with a Jlack 
 rein : one is a petulant, refraftory, impatient rider, 
 who not unfrequently makes his horfe fo by his 
 own indifcretion ; when, on the contrary, a mild, 
 ferene, and philofophic rider (who ruminates upon 
 the imperfedions of the animal he beftrides, as 
 well as his own) often enjoys the inexprefTible fatis- 
 faftion of making a convert to his own good ufage 
 and fenfibility ; conflituting, by fuch patient perfe- 
 verance, that very horfe a defirable objeft of ac- 
 quifition, even to thofe who had, upon too flight a 
 foundation, or too fhort a trial, difcarded him as 
 unworthy any fervice at all. 
 
 Experience affords ample demonfl^ration, that 
 the tempers of horses are as much diverfified as 
 the tempers of thofe who ride or drive them; and 
 it will not be inapplicable for the young to be told^ 
 or the old to recolleft^ that a great number of 
 horfes are made rejiive and vicious by ill ufage, and 
 then unmercifully whipped^ fpurred^ and beaten for 
 being fo ; in corroboration of which fa8:, there are 
 numbers conftantly difpofed of " to the belt 
 bidder," as invincibly reflive, at the hammer of a 
 F f 2 repository. 
 
436 SPORTING DICfiONARY. 
 
 REPOSITORY, that would in a few wrecks, by gemle 
 and humane treatment, have been reformed to the 
 bed tempers, and mod pliable difpofitions. Thofc 
 who have been moll attentively accurate in ob- 
 fervation and experience, well know, that perfonal 
 fe verity to horfes for reJHvenefs or Jlariing^ very 
 frequently makes them worfe^ but is feldom found 
 to make them better : it is, therefore, certainly more 
 rational, more humane, and ^evidently more grati- 
 fying, to effeft fubfervience by tendernefs and 
 manly perfeverance (divefted of pulillanimity and 
 fear) than by means of unnatural feverity, often 
 tending to render " the remedy worfe than the 
 difeafe." 
 
 HoRs£s, when at liberty, and in a ftate of free-* 
 dom, although they are expofed to the different 
 degrees of heat and cold^ (encountering the utmofl 
 feverity of the elements in oppofite feafons,) are 
 well known to be in more conftant heahh, and lefs 
 fubjeQ to morbidity, than when deflined to the 
 fcanty confines of a stable, and brought into use; 
 the caufcs of which are too numerous, and too ex- 
 tenfive, to come within the limits of a work of this 
 kind. It is, however, to be pre fumed, very many 
 of the SEVERE, DANGEROUS, and, finally, 6f/f/2rz^(^ft/<f 
 diforders to which they are fo conftantly fubjeB:, 
 and fo perpetually liable, are produced much more 
 by a w^ant of care and attention in thofe who owm 
 or fuperintend ihtm^ than to any pre-difpofing ten- 
 dency 
 
SfORTlKG DICTIONARY. 437 
 
 clency in 'the animal to difcafc. In farther eluci- 
 dation of which, fee '• Groom." 
 
 The diforders to which horfes are perpetually 
 incident, may be reduced to a few diflincl heads, 
 as the acute, chronic, dangerous, infeftious, and 
 accidental; the major part of thofe partaking of a 
 joint defcription, and technical complication. For 
 inftance, daggers, flatulent or inflammatory cholic, 
 fevers, pleurify, inflammation of the lungs, and 
 flrangury, may be ranked amongfl: the acute and 
 dangerous. Glanders and farcy are admitted to 
 be infeclloiis^ and in advanced flages, incurable^ 
 
 The GREASE, SURFEIT, MANGE, ASTHMA, ScQ. may 
 
 be termed chronic. Accidents and incidents include 
 colds, coughs, fwclled legs, cracked heels, wind^ 
 galls, ftrains, warbles, fitfafl:s, and a long train of 
 trifles, by far the greater part of which originate 
 in carelefsnefs, inhumanity, and indifcretion. A 
 defcription of all will be found under their diflin6l 
 heads; and the means of alleviation and cure mufl: 
 be derived from the mofl; popular praditioners, or 
 the works of thofe who have written profefledly 
 upon the fubjecl of Veterinary Medicine and 
 Disease, 
 
 Horses having for fo many centuries continued 
 to increafe the cafe, comfort, pleafure, and hap- 
 pinefs, of all defcriptions of people, they have at 
 length, by the fertile invention of national finan- 
 
 p' f 3 ciers, 
 
438 
 
 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 ciers, been found equally capable of becoming ma- 
 terially inftrumental to the fupport of Government, 
 in a degree beyond what the utmoft effufions of 
 fancy could have formed, as will be feen by the 
 very judicious fcale of gradational taxation, accu- 
 rately copied and annexed. And as there was no 
 other diftinB: head, where the duties upon car- 
 riages could with propriety be introduced, they 
 are here included alfo, as no inapplicable addition 
 to requifite information, in which fo many are in- 
 dividually concerned. 
 
 Duties on Horfes, On Horfes and Mules. 
 
 Duties on 
 
 Horfes for liding 
 
 or 
 
 drawing 
 
 Carriages. 
 
 
 No. 
 
 At per H 
 
 orse. 
 
 Total per "^ 
 
 'ear. 
 
 
 £' 
 
 s. 
 
 cL 
 
 £. s. 
 
 d. 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 6 12 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 10 i6 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 1(3 
 
 
 
 19 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 24 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 28 7 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 32 S 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 36 13 
 
 6 
 
 10 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 41 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 45 2 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 49 4 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 53 12 
 
 6 
 
 14 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 57 15 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 6' 
 
 61 17 
 
 
 
 16" 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 6-6' 
 
 
 
 17 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 70 11 
 
 
 
 18 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 75 3 
 
 
 
 1.9 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 79 l6 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 85 
 
 
 
 And fo 
 
 on for any Number. 
 
 Duties on other Horfes, and on 
 
 Mules. 
 
 No. 
 
 At per Horse 
 
 Total per Year. 
 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 £. s. cL 
 
 1 
 
 12 6 
 
 12 6 
 
 2 
 
 
 3 5 
 
 3 
 
 
 1 17 6 
 
 4 
 
 
 2 10 
 
 5 
 
 
 3 2 6 
 
 6 
 
 
 3 15 
 
 7 
 
 
 4 7 6 
 
 8 
 
 
 5 
 
 9 
 
 
 5 12 6 
 
 10 
 
 
 6 5 
 
 11 
 
 
 6 17 6 
 
 12 
 
 
 7 10 
 
 13 
 
 
 8 2 6 
 
 14 
 
 
 8 15 
 
 15 
 
 
 9 7 6 
 
 16" 
 
 
 10 
 
 17 
 
 
 10 12 6 
 
 18 
 
 
 11 5 
 
 19 
 
 
 11 17 6' 
 
 20 
 
 
 12 10 
 
 And fo on for any Number. 
 
 Duties 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 459 
 
 Duties on Carriages, 
 
 Duties on Carnages with four 
 
 Wheels, for private Ufe. 
 
 No. 
 
 AtperCarriage. 
 
 Total per Year. 
 
 
 £. s. d. 
 
 £, s. d. 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 9 
 
 11 
 
 22 
 
 3 
 
 12 
 
 36 
 
 4 
 
 12 10 
 
 30 
 
 5 
 
 13 
 
 65 
 
 6' 
 
 13 10 
 
 81 
 
 7 
 
 1-i 
 
 98 
 
 8 
 
 U 10 
 
 116 
 
 9 ' 15 
 
 135 
 
 And fo on for any Number, 
 
 Duties upon Stage Coaches, and 
 
 PoR Chaifes, with four Wheels, 
 
 at 8/. 8i. od, each. 
 
 
 No. 
 
 
 
 
 
 £, s. d. 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 8 8 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 16 16 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 25 4 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 33 12 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 42 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 50 8 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 58 16 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 67 4 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 75 12 
 
 
 Duties on Carriages zvith Tzvo Wheels, 
 
 £, s. d. 
 Drawn by one Horfe 5 5 each 
 
 Do. by Two or more 7 7 
 
 Taxed Carts — . 14 
 
 HORSE-DEALERS — are per Tons who derive 
 their fubfiftence, and obtain a livelihood, by b^uy- 
 ing and felling of horfes only; and thefe were be- 
 come fo numerous in both town and country, that, 
 either to reflrain the number, or to render the oc- 
 cupation proportionally ferviceable to the exigen- 
 cies of the State, the following duties have been 
 impofed. Every Perfon exercifing the trade or 
 bufinefs of a horse-dealer, muft pay annually, 
 if within London, Weftminfter, the Parifhes of 
 St. Mary-le-Bone, and St. Pancras, in Middlefex, 
 
 F f 4 the 
 
440 SPORTING DICTIONARY', 
 
 the weekly Eills of Mortality, or the Borough of 
 Southwark, lo/. In any other Part of Great 
 Britain, 5/. 
 
 Horse dealers fliall caufe the words " Licenced 
 TO DEAL IN Horses,'* to be painted or written in 
 large and legible Chara6lers, either on a Sign hung 
 out, or on fome vifible Place in the Front of their 
 Ploufe, Gateway, or Stables; and if he fhall fell 
 any Horfe without fixing fuch Token, he fliall 
 forfeit 10/. to be recovered by A6lion; Half to 
 the King, and Half to the Informer. 36th George 
 Third, c. xvii. 
 
 HORSEMANSHIP— is the ad of riding with 
 eafe, grace, and fortitude. It may be taken in 
 two points of view; as thofe who, felf-taught, be- 
 come proficients equally with thofe who derive 
 inftruQion from the schools, of which there are 
 many of eftabliflied celebrity. Doubts, however, 
 have arifen, and oppofite opinions have been fup- 
 ported, whether the fportfman who has acquired 
 the art from nature, habit, and pra6lice, is not, 
 in general, a more eafy, graceful, expert, and 
 courageous horfeman, than the major ^rt of thofe 
 who have been in the trammels (and riding the 
 great horfe) of the moft able and eminent pro-? 
 feflbrs. As there are but few of thefe fchools, ex- 
 cept in the metropolis, and excellent horfemen to 
 be feen in every part of the kingdom, that ci^cum-* 
 6 ftancQ 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 441 
 
 ftance alone feems to juftify the preramption, that 
 there is much more of nature than of art in the 
 acquifition. However unneceffary the inftruaions 
 of a RIDING MASTER may be in forming the qualifi- 
 cations and graces of a foxhuntfr, they become 
 indifpenfibly requifite to the completion of a mili- 
 tary EDUCATION, in which perfonal dignity, and 
 adequate authority, muft be properly and fyllcma- 
 tically maintained. 
 
 Previous to every other confideration in the an 
 of horfemanfhip, it is neceffary to be well ac- 
 quainted with every minute circumflance, and re- 
 gular routine, of ftable difcipline ; to know the 
 name and ufe of every utenfil ; to comprehend the 
 application of every diftina part of the apparatus 
 with which a horfe is caparifoned, and to under- 
 {land perfeaiy the property of each kind of bridle, 
 and the effea they are individually calculated to 
 produce. Thefe are conjunaively of fuch material 
 import to fafety, and fuch palpable proofs of judi- 
 cious arrangement and'folid judgment, that they 
 may, in the aggregate, be confidered the very 
 foundation upon which the reputation of a horse- 
 man is to be formed. Preparatory to mounting, par- 
 ticularly for a journey, or the chafe, the experienced 
 SPORTSMAN, feeling for the frailties and inadverten- 
 cies of human nature, never trufts too much to 
 the hands and eyes of others, when not deprived of 
 ^he ufe of his own ^; but prudently condefcends to 
 
 examine. 
 
442 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 examine, by the glance of an eye, how far the 
 horfe, and appendages, are adequate to the purpofe 
 in which he is then going to engage. 
 
 This being done, he comes gently up to his 
 horfe, oppofite the (boulder, on the near (that is 
 the left) fide: when facing the wither, he takes the 
 reins of the bridle with a tuft of the mane firmly in 
 his left hand, and of about the fame length they are 
 held in when mounted. The horfe {landing ftill, 
 (which he ftiould always be accuftomed to do when 
 mounting,) and not he/ore^ the right-hand is em- 
 ployed in fupporting the ftirrup on that fide, for 
 the reception of the left foot ; when which is fafely 
 inferted, the right-hand is removed from the ftirrup 
 to the hinder part of the faddle, where it forms a 
 fupport or lever to aiTift in raifing the right leg 
 from the ground, and to pafs it gradually and 
 fteadily over the body of the horfe, where it falls 
 readily into contaft with the ftirrup on that fide. 
 When firft the reins are taken in hand, due ob- 
 fervance fliould be made of the medium they are 
 to be held in ; that is, not tight enough to make 
 the horfe uneafy, and to run back, orjlack enough 
 to afford him an opportunity to Jet off before his 
 rider is firmly seated. 
 
 When mounted, the body fhould be eafily and 
 pliably erecl, inclining rather backwards than for- 
 wards ; the weight entirely reding upon the pofte- 
 
 riors. 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 443 
 
 riors, proportionally relieved by the continuation 
 of the thighs, and an equal moderate prefiiire of 
 both the legs upon the hdes of the horfe. To pre- 
 ferve which pofition free from conRraint and iliff- 
 nefs, the proper length of the stirrups is a matter 
 mod material to be attended to ; for unlefs they are 
 in length adapted to xhtjlaturc of the rider, it will 
 be imprafticable for him to keep a firm and grace- 
 ful feat, particularly with violent^ vicious, or rejlive 
 horfes, upon many emergencies. The general 
 error, particularly with inexperienced horfemen, 
 who have never been accuftomed to ride in the 
 early part of life, is having their ftirrups ridicu- 
 loufly Jhort^ by which they injudicioufly conceive 
 they in fu re their own perfonal fafety ; though the 
 oppofite is the fad, and with a fpirited horfe they 
 are always in greater danger; for the knees being 
 lifted above the flurt of the faddle, the thighs are 
 rendered ufelefs, the legs are deprived of their ne- 
 ceffary affiftance, the rider is left without a feat or 
 fulcrum to fuftain his pofition, and rocking firfi on 
 one fide, then /winging on the other, he is left en- 
 tirely at the mercy of his horfe. That this may be 
 the better reconciled to every comprehenfion, the 
 ftirrups, for eafe and fafety, fhould be exaaiy 
 in this Rate; that the rider fitting upon his horfe 
 (either ftill or in attion) lliould be able to difen- 
 gage his foot from the ftirrup at a fingle motion, 
 and by keeping his foot in a dired horizontal po. 
 fition, would have the command and power of re- 
 covering 
 
^^44 SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 covering or catching the ftirrup almoft inflantane- 
 oufly, with the flighted effort for that purpofe. 
 
 Thefe remarks, properly attended to, the body 
 will be found eafy, firm, and commanding; di^ 
 veiled of all thofe rockings, jerkings, and twijlings, 
 fometimes over the horfe's head, at others over his 
 tail, difplaying the feats of an involuntary attitudi- 
 narian, feldom feen but in Hyde Park, or the en^ 
 virons of the Metropolis. The left-hand is termed 
 the bridle-hand, and the left elbow mufl come 
 nearly into gentle contad with the body, which it 
 has always for its fupport in any fudden jump, 
 Jlart, or Jlumble, of the horfe; in want of which 
 regular bearing (if required) the hand could not be 
 always equally fteady, and would of courfe fre. 
 quently, but unintentionally, prove a check to the 
 horfe. It is impoffible to lay down fixed and in- 
 variable rules for the precife diftance of the left« 
 hand from the breaft, or its heighth from the fad- 
 die; horfes differ fo much in their mouths, that 
 the bridle-hand mud be ufcd higher or lower, and 
 the reins longer or JJiorter in proportion. The 
 right-hand (termed, in racing, the whip-hand) 
 ihould be held in a kind of correfponding uni^ 
 formity with the left, aQing alfo occafionally in the 
 ufe of the reins, and the management of the mouth; 
 and this is the more neceffary, as every complete 
 HORSEMAN, or pcrfca sportsman, can manage the 
 
 reins 
 
SPORTING DICnONARY. 4-15 
 
 reins (of even a rwn-away horfcj as well with one 
 hand as the other* 
 
 The hand fliould always be firm, but delicately 
 pliable^ feelingly alive to every motion of the 
 mouth ; for, by giving and taking properly, the 
 horfe has better opportunity to difplay his fpirit, 
 and demonftrate the pleafure he receives, in being 
 encouraged to champ upon the bit. As the necef- 
 fary qualifications which conflitute the excellence 
 of horfemanfliip can never be derived from theory^ 
 and are only to be acquired by practice, it be- 
 comes concifely applicable to make fuch remarks, 
 and inculcate fuch general inftruclions, as may be 
 ufefully retained in the memory of thofe, w^ho, not 
 feeling themfelves too confident in their own abi- 
 lity, are content to avail themfelves of informa- 
 tion refulting from an experience of which they 
 are not yet in poffefTion. After all the trouble and 
 expence of breaking horfes, by the beft and mofl 
 expert profefTors in that way, yet there are num- 
 bers poffefs, by nature, and retain by habit and 
 temper, faults and vices, not only unpleafant and 
 inconvenient, but even unfafe and dangerous, to 
 to thofe who ride them. An impetuous, ill-tem- 
 pered rider, who is always expecting his horfe to 
 do more than nature ever intended, will foon make 
 the animal as petulant and refractory as himfelf : 
 few paffionate riders become good and humane 
 horfemen ; great patience, ferenity, and fome phi- 
 
 lofophy, 
 
44G SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 lofophy, is required to meet the variegated and 
 unexpefted viciffitudes unavoidably to be en- 
 countered in the field, as well as upon the road. 
 
 A hot, high-fpirited horfe, and a fiery, petulant 
 rider, conftitute a paradoxical, heterogeneous con- 
 nexion ; for as they fupport a perpetual war be- 
 tween them, and neiriier feels difpofed to fubmit, 
 fo they continue to irritate and render each other 
 worfe than they were before. A horfe, from na- 
 tural fagacity, foon difcovers the mildnefs and pla- 
 cidity of his rider, proportioning his own obe- 
 dience and docility accordingly; of which greater 
 proof need not be adduced, than his abfolutely 
 following the mafter or fervant from whom he re- 
 ceives good ufage, as well as his being left at 
 different doors totally iinconjined^ in the midft of 
 populous flrects, and thronged with carriages, 
 from whence he will not attempt to flir, till re- 
 moved by the voice or hand to which he belongs. 
 -Horfemen of tendernefs and refleftion are ever at- 
 tentive to the animal who contributes fo much to 
 their own health, happinefs, or emolument; and 
 omit no one opportunity, that prefents itfelf, of 
 promoting their eafe and comfort in return. If 
 the horfe, from natural ihynefs and timidity, or 
 probably from ill ufage in the poffeffion of a 
 former mader, is alarmed at the fight or motion of 
 Jlick or whip^ a rider of this defcription quiets his 
 ■fears, by letting it gradually decline behind his 
 
 own 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 447 
 
 own thigh near the flank of the horfe : the fool^ or 
 the madman^ brandi flies it before his eyes, in con- 
 firmation of his own ignorance or infanity. 
 
 Horses who are addiQed to Jlarting^ do it from 
 fear, and not from oppofition ; the recollection of 
 which fliould inftantly excite a conflderation of 
 pity and tendernefs in the rider; but it is much to 
 be regretted, fo great is the depravity of the hu- 
 man mind, that nine times out of ten, this very 
 fear (the palpable efle8: of conftitutional timidity) 
 is productive of the mod Jevere and wiTnerited 
 punifliment. It is no uncommon thing to fee a 
 much greater brute than the animal he beflirides, 
 mod unmercifully beatings whippings and /pur- 
 ring, a poor creature, for poflbfling a fenfation in 
 common with ourfelves. If every one of the hu- 
 man fpecies were to be beat, bruifed, and crippled, 
 for being jufl;ly alarmed at the appearance of dan- 
 ger, or the fight of unnatural and unexpected ob- 
 je6ls of furprize, our hofpitals could never prove 
 fufficiently capacious to receive half the patients 
 that would be daily prefented for admiflion. If 
 caution, and the apprehenfion of danger, is thus in- 
 fl:inQ:ively interwoven with the very frame of man, 
 is it not natural that the horse (who has likewife 
 the power of feeing, hearing, and feeling) may be 
 equally alarmed at, and afraid of, impending de- 
 ftruftion ? Will any, but the moft incredulous 
 STOIC, prefume to argue, or to doubt, that the 
 2 horfe 
 
448 SPORTiNO DICTIONARY* 
 
 hoiTe has not the fame fufceptibility of pain, and 
 
 the fame dread of diffolution, as ourfelves? Has 
 
 he not the fame degree of precaution and circum- 
 
 fpeciion in avoiding calamity when it depends upon 
 
 himfelf ? Has he not the fame fear of being crufhed 
 
 to atoms by the weight of any fuperior power fuf- 
 
 pended above himfelf? Has he not the fame fear 
 
 of being drowned ? Is he not equally alarmed if 
 
 even gently led to the brink of an awful precipice, 
 
 and does he not inftantly retreat with horror? Is he 
 
 not terrified, even to a deprivation of motion, at 
 
 the fight of fire ? Why then can it create furprize^ 
 
 that he fliould be afraid of, and alarmed at, a 
 
 high-loaded broad-wheel waggon upon a narrow 
 
 road, whofe ponderous fummit feems to threaten 
 
 his probable and fpeedy annihilation ? 
 
 If then it is thus clearly demonflrated, and mud 
 be candidly admitted, that the true caufe of a 
 horfe's starting is Jcar^ what magical effe6l is 
 violence on the part of the rider to produce ? No- 
 thing can more forcibly evince the pajfion^ foUy^ 
 ignorance^ and inhumanity^ of the lower clafies, 
 than the prevalence of this practice. That horfes 
 may be made to pafs objeQs of diflike and dread 
 by fuch means is not to be difputed; it is only 
 prefumed that lenity, patience, and mild perfua- 
 fion, are the mofi preferable, and by far the mofl 
 gentleman-like of the two. It is the bufinefs of 
 the rider to conquer, and become mailer of his 
 
 horfe ; 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 449 
 
 horfe; but violent pafFion, and coercive meafures, 
 need not be refortcd to, till the more lenient at- 
 tempts have failed. Notwithftanding the idea here 
 incukated, of not violently and fud den ly prefling a 
 horfe up to a carriage, waggon, or any other objed 
 at which he has darted, it is neceffary he fhould 
 be made to know he mujl pafs it^ which he may be 
 made to do by a modulated tone of the voice, a 
 moderate and judicious ufe of the rein, and a 
 proper preffure of one or both legs, as well, or 
 better, than by any forcible means whatever. ' 
 
 The ufe of the legs is a very important confi- 
 deration, not only in the due corre6lion of a 
 HORSE that ftarts, but in the airs taught in the 
 manege; where the horfe is fupported and helped 
 by the hands and legs in every aQion required, 
 from whence he is technically faid to perform his 
 airs by aids from tKe rider. When a horfe, in 
 darting, begins to fly on one fide, for the purpofe 
 of turning from the objeft he wiflies to avoid, 
 the inftantaneous, ftrong and fudden preffure of 
 the leg on that fide counterads his fpring, and, 
 with the joint exertion of the rein and wrift, im- 
 mediately brings him flraight ; at which moment, 
 the fame ufe being made of both legs, as was juft 
 before made with one, he has no alternative, but 
 to fubmit to the determined corre6lion, and foon 
 paffes the objeft of dread or diflike, and proceeds 
 in the way he is required. As the legs are of great 
 
 Vol. I, G g lUilit)? 
 
450 SPORTING DICTIONAY. 
 
 Utility in the proper management of a horfe, fo 
 they are the very reverfe, if improperly brought 
 into a8:ion. Nothing fooner denotes the inability 
 of a rider, than to fee the legs fwinging like a 
 pendulum, and alternately beating againft the fides 
 of the horfe : if he is a fpirited horfe, and well 
 broke, he conceives himfelf intentionally excited 
 to brifl^er aftion ; if, on the contrary, he is a dull 
 and fluggiih goer, it only adds to his habitual cal- 
 lofity. 
 
 Humanity having been already mentioned as 
 one of the leading qualifications neceffary to con- 
 ftitute the character of a perfeft horseman, or true 
 SPORTSMAN, (which are nearly fynonimous,) it in- 
 variably prompts each to infure, upon all occafions, 
 the neceffary comforts for his horse, before he 
 beftows a fingle thought upon his own. It has 
 been wifely obferved, that the man who rides fajl 
 ■without a motive^ never affords himfelf time for 
 refieftion; and that he who is always in a gallop, 
 is either a fool or a madman. Thefe remarks pro- 
 bably originated in an obfervation refulting from 
 Experience, and tolerably corre6l in the applica- 
 tion; that thofe who ride hardefl^ are generally the 
 moft indifferent about the care of their horses, 
 Thofe who a6l prudently, and with a proper atten- 
 tion to their own intereft, will occafionally conde- 
 fcend to take a furvey of the (table management 
 within, as well as the enjoyment of pleafure with- 
 
 2 out; 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 451 
 
 out; upon the old and well-founded maxim, that 
 '' the mailer's eye makes the work light ;" with the 
 additional advantage of mod probably keeping 
 difeafe at a diftance. The fame degree of difcre- 
 tion which regulates the condu6l of the young and 
 inexperienced sportsman in one refpeQ, will re- 
 gulate it in another: having the health and fafety 
 of his horfe at heart, he will never hurry him for 
 the firft hour in the morning, till time and gentle 
 attion has enabled him to unload his carcafe; he 
 will never make unreafonably long ftages upon 
 the road; ride races, or take unnecejjary leaps in 
 the field: at the conclufion of the journey or 
 CHASE, he will fee, that whatever he may think 
 neceffary to be done, is fo, without implicitly re- 
 lying upon imaginary punftuality, in ordering it 
 to be done by others. Thefe fuggeftions, how- 
 ever, apply more to inns upon the road^ and the 
 LIVERY stables iu the METROPOLIS, than to the 
 private ftables, and regular eftablifhments, of 
 gentlemen having fervants of reputation, upon 
 whofe fidelity they can fix a firm reliance. 
 
 HORSE-SHOE — is a plate of iron mechani- 
 cally conftruQed for the prefervation of the foot, 
 and formed of different fizes and thicknefs, ac- 
 cording to the fubftance, weight, and work, of 
 the horfe for whom it is made. See Shoeing and 
 Smith. 
 
 G g 2 HORSE- 
 
452 SPORTING DICTlOxMARY. 
 
 HORSE-RACING— has been a favorite fp or t 
 %vith the fuperior clafTes for many centuries, but 
 never arrived at any degree of local celebrity till 
 the reign of Charles the Second; who, entering 
 into the fpirit of the turf, and becoming per- 
 fonally prefent with the full fplendor of his court, 
 then laid the foundation of the meetings at New- 
 market, which are now become fo juftly eminent, 
 and where racing has long fince attained the full 
 zenith of perfeftion. This fport during fo many 
 years, had undergone a variety of changes and de- 
 prefTions, according to the temper of the times, 
 the difpofitions of the people, and the fluQuation 
 of events; amidft all which, it feems to have been 
 the peculiar province of the great Duke of Cum- 
 berland (uncle of his prefent Majefty) to have 
 become the principal inftrument of renovation; 
 having, by inceffant exertion, and perfonal ex- 
 ample, raifed the fpirit of the turf to a degree of 
 eminence and emulation, the brilliant rays of 
 which will mofl probably never be totally ob- 
 fcured, till " time itfelf fhall be no more." This, 
 however, was not effeftcd without an immenfity 
 of expence, and an incredible fucceflion of losses, 
 to the Jliarks^ Greeks^ and black-legs of that time, 
 by whom his Royal Highnefs was eternally fur- 
 rounded, and inceifantly pillaged ; but having, in 
 the greatnefs of his mind, the military maxim of 
 '' perfevere and conquer," he was not to be de- 
 terred from the object of purfuitj till, having juft 
 
 6 become 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 453 
 
 become poflefTor of the beft stock, befl blood, 
 and mod numerous stud in the kingdom, beating 
 his opponents " at all points," he fuddenly " pafTed 
 that bourne from whence no traveller returns;" an 
 irreparable lofs to the turf, and univerfally la- 
 mented by the kingdom at large. 
 
 This unexpe£led and fevcre flroke occafioned a 
 temporary ftagnation ; and the general gloom, with 
 which all the interefted were for fome time af- 
 fe6ted, feemed to threaten a ferious fufpcniion, if 
 not a total annihilation; but the stud being an- 
 nounced for SALE at the great lodge in WixNdsor 
 Park, it afforded fcope for the moft fertile fpecu- 
 lations, and thofe w^ho had loft (by the Duke's 
 death) the moft ftriking and opulent obje8: of their 
 depredations, now found it prudent to form them- 
 felves into a yi^m^7J); combination and compaQ:, by 
 whofe indefatigable indujlry the fporting part of the 
 public were moft fliamefully robbed for five-and- 
 twenty years, at all the races of note for fifty 
 miles round London; when finding, in their own 
 phrafe, that " the game was quite up^' their perfons 
 w^ere known, and their pra6lices exploded, they 
 difpofed of the family stud, withdrawing them^ 
 felves as principals, and afting only as accejfaries 
 upon private information from the fubordinates, 
 upon which the experience of years has proved a 
 handfome fubfiftence is to be obtained. 
 
 G g 3 Thefe 
 
454 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 Thefe difcoveries in almofl every direQion, 
 roufed gentlemen of fortune, honor, and in- 
 tegrity, from the apathy to which they had been 
 inadvertently lulled; and feeing the abfolute ne- 
 ceffity of a feparation from a fet of marked un- 
 principled mifcreants, proper means of exclufion 
 were adopted, the rules of the Jockey Club 
 (which fee) were revifed and improved ; every 
 proper mode being taken to prevent the introduc- 
 tion and election of thofe, whofe charafters and 
 property were not known to accord with the prin- 
 ciples of the original inftitution. Here followed 
 another temporary gloom; the deaths of feveral of 
 the mod zealous amateurs and fupporters of the 
 turf, in almoft immediate fucceffion, caufed fuch a 
 general Jlerility^ that Newmarket was literally in 
 mourning', training-grooms and ftable-lads were 
 daily becoming gentlemen at large (or rather wan- 
 derers) for want of employment. As cafual cir- 
 cumftances frequently effect contrasts, or operate 
 by extremes, fo, during the lafl: twelve or four- 
 teen years, racing has experienced another refur- 
 reftion; but death, that unrelenting "leveller of 
 all diflin6tions," has recently deprived us of fome 
 of its mod experienced devotees, whofe studs of 
 courfe are fucceffively coming to the hammer, and 
 indicate at prefent no certain profpeB; of increafing 
 popularity. As this fubje61: will be repeatedly 
 treated on, under thofe heads to which it particu- 
 larly appertains, it becomes only neceffary to in- 
 troduce 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 455 
 
 troducc the fixed rules and regulations, as in- 
 variably obfcived at Newmarket, (which is the 
 flandard for the kingdom in general,) by all thofe 
 who (upport a character for punBuality and inte- 
 grity upon the turf. 
 
 It is enafted by different Acts of Parliament, 
 That no perfon whatfoever fhall enter^ 7^^^^? or 
 run any horse, mare, or gelding, for any plate, 
 PRIZE, SUM of MONEY, or Other thing, unlefs fuch 
 horfe, mare, or gelding, fliall be truly and bona 
 fide the property of, and belonging to, fuch perfon 
 fo entering, ftarting, or running the fame : nor 
 fhall any perfon enter and ftart more than one 
 horfe, mare, or gelding, for one and the fame 
 plate, prize, or fum of money, under the for- 
 feiture of the horfe, horfes, or value thereof. 
 
 Any perfon that fhall enter, ftart, or run a horfe, 
 mare, or gelding, for lefs value than fifty pounds, 
 forfeits the fum of two hundred pounds. Every 
 perfon that fhall print, publiffi, advertife or pro- 
 claim any money, or other thing, to be run for, 
 of lefs value than fifty pounds, forfeits the fum of 
 ONE hundred POUNDS. Evcry race for any plate, 
 prize, or fum of money, to be begun and ended 
 in one day. Horfes may run on Newmarket 
 Heath, in the counties of Cambridge and Suf- 
 iolk, and Black Hambleton, in the county of 
 G g 4 YoRK^ 
 
456 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 York, for lefs value than fifty pounds, without 
 incurring any penalty. 
 
 All and every fum and fums of money paid for 
 entering of any horfe, mare, or gelding, to ftart 
 for any plate, prize, fum of money, or other 
 thing, (hall go and be paid to the fecond beft 
 horfe, mare, or gelding, which fhall ftart or run 
 for fuch plate, prize, or fum of money, as afore- 
 faid. Provided, that nothing therein contained 
 fhall extend, or be conftrued to extend, to pre- 
 vent the ftarting or running any horfe, mare, or 
 gelding, for any plate, prize, fum of money, or 
 other thing or things iifuing out of, or paid for, 
 by the rents, iffues, and profits, of any lands, te- 
 nements, or hereditaments ; or of or by the intereft 
 of any fum or fums of money chargeable with the 
 fame, or appropriated to that purpofe. 
 
 Every horfe, mare, or gelding, entered to ftart 
 or run for any plate, prize, fum of money, or other 
 thing whatfoever, fhall pay the fum of two founds 
 two Jliillings. And be it further ena6led. That the 
 owner of every horfe, mare, or gelding, entered 
 to ftart or run for any plate, prize, fum of money, 
 or other thing, fhall, previous to the entering or 
 ftarting fuch horfe, mare, or gelding, pay the fum 
 of TWO POUNDS TWO SHILLINGS, as the duty foT one 
 year, into the hands of the Clerk of the Course, 
 jBook-keeperj or other perfon authorized to make 
 
 the 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 457 
 
 the entry of fuch horfe, mare, or gelding ; and if 
 any owner fhall, previous to the darting, negleB or 
 refitfe to pay the faid fuin of two pounds two (hil- 
 lings, for fuch entrance, to the Clerk of the Courfe, 
 Book-keeper, or other perfon authorized to make 
 the entry as aforefaid, the owner or owners of 
 every fuch horfe, mare, or gelding, fhall forfeit 
 and pay the fum of twenty pounds. 
 
 RULES IN RACING. 
 
 Horfes take their ages from May Day. 
 1760 yards are a mile. 
 240 yards are a diftance. 
 Four inches are a hand. 
 Fourteen pounds are a flone. 
 
 When HORSES are matched at catch weights, 
 each party may appoint any perfon to ride, without 
 weighing either before or after the race. 
 
 Give and take Plates are for horfes of four- 
 teen hands high, to carry a ftated weight, above or 
 below which more or lefs is to be carried, allow- 
 ing feven pounds for every inch. 
 
 A Whim Plate is weight for age, and weight for 
 inches. 
 
 A Post 
 
A5^ SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 A Post Match is made by inferting the age of 
 the horfes in the articles; and the parties pofTefs 
 the privilege of bringing any horfe of that age to 
 the poft, without making any previous declaration 
 whatever, of name, colour, or qualifications, 
 
 A Handicap Match. See Handicap, 
 
 Riders mufl ride their horfes (after running) to 
 the scales to weigh; and he that difmounts with- 
 out fo doing, or wants weight when weighed, is 
 deemed a dijlanced horfe. 
 
 The HORSE, whofe head firft reaches the ending 
 FOST wins the heat. 
 
 If a rider falls from his horfe, and the horfe is 
 rode in by a perfon who is fufficient weight, he will 
 take place the fame as if it had not happened, pro- 
 vided he goes back to the place where the other fell. 
 
 Horse's plates (or fhoes) not allowed in the 
 weight. 
 
 Horfes not entitled to flart, without producing 
 a proper certificate of their age, if required, at 
 the time fpecified in the articles, except where 
 AGED horfes are included; and in that cafe, di junior 
 horfe may enter without a certificate, provided he 
 carries the fame weight as the aged. 
 
 All 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 459 
 
 All BETS are for the beft of the plate, where 
 nothing is faid to the contrary. 
 
 For the best of the plate, where there are 
 three heats run, the horfe is deemed second beft 
 who wins one. 
 
 For the best of the heats, the horfe is fecond 
 that beats the others twice out of three times, 
 though he does not win a heat. 
 
 In all bets, either bettor may demand stakes to 
 be made; and on refufal, declare the bet void, A 
 confirmed bet cannot be off but by mutual con- 
 fent. 
 
 If one of the parties is ahfent on the day of 
 RUNNING, a public declaration may be made of the 
 BET upon the Courfe, accompanied with a demand, 
 whether any perfon prefent will make stakes for 
 the abfent party, which propofition not being ac- 
 ceded to, the bet may be declared void. 
 
 Bets agreed to be paid or received in town, or 
 at any other particular place, cannot be declared 
 off' on the Courfe. 
 
 If a MATCH is made for any particular day, in 
 any meeting at Newmarket, and the parties agree 
 to change the day, all bets muft stand; but if run 
 
 in 
 
^60 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 in a different meeting, the bets made before the al- 
 teration are void. 
 
 The perfon who lays the odds, has a right to 
 chufe his horse or the Jield, 
 
 When a perfon has chofen his horfe, the field is 
 what flarts againft him ; but there is no field, if the 
 horfe fo named has no opponent. 
 
 Bets made for pounds, are always paid in 
 
 GUINEAS. 
 
 If ODDS are laid^ without mentioning the horfe 
 before it is over, it muft be determined as the bets 
 were at the time of making it. 
 
 Bets made in running, ^re not determined till 
 the plate is won, if that heat is not mentioned at 
 the time of betting. 
 
 Where a plate is won by two heats^ the pre- 
 ference of the horfes is determined by the places 
 they are in at the termination of the fecond heat. 
 
 Horses running on the wrong fide of a post, 
 and not turning back to completely recover their 
 ground, are dijianced, 
 
 Horfes 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 46l 
 
 Horfes drawn between any of the heats, before 
 the plate is won, are diilanced. 
 
 liorfes are deemed dijlanced^ if their rider3 
 crofs and jofllc, when the articles do not per- 
 mit it. 
 
 If a horfe wins the firfl: heat, and all others 
 draw^ they are not diftanced, if he ftarts no more ; 
 but if he ftarts again by himfelf, the drawn horfes 
 are diilanced. 
 
 When BETS are made after a heat upon a fubfe- 
 quent event, if the horfe fo betted upon does not 
 ftart, the bets fo made are void. 
 
 When three horfes have each won a heat, they 
 only muft ftart for a fourth, and the preference be- 
 tween them will be determined by it, there having 
 before been no difference between them. 
 
 No horfe can be diilanced in a fourth heat. 
 
 When the words ''play or paf" are included in 
 a bet, it is thus decided : the horfe which does not 
 appear, and be ready to ftart, at the time ap- 
 pointed, is the lofer ; and the other is the winner, 
 although he goes over the Courfe by himfelf. 
 
 la 
 
A69, SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 In running heats, if it cannot be decided which 
 is firji^ the heat is then called a dead heat, and 
 they may all ftart again; unlefs it lliould happen 
 in the laft heat, and then it muft be between the 
 two horfes which, if either had won, the race 
 would have been decided ; but if between two, 
 that by cithers winning the race would not have 
 been determined, then it is no heat, and the others 
 may all flart again. 
 
 Bets made upon horfes winning any number of 
 PLATES within the year, remain in force till the 
 
 FIRST DAY of MaY. 
 
 Money given to have a bet laid, not returned, 
 if not run. 
 
 To propofe a bet, and fay " done" Ji.rjl to it, 
 the perfon who replies " done" to it, makes it a 
 confirmed bet. 
 
 Matches and bets are void on the deceafe of 
 efther party before they are determined. 
 
 TH£ 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 463 
 
 THE 
 
 EXACT DISTANCES 
 
 OF THE 
 
 DIFFERENT COURSES at NEWMARKET 
 
 ARE AS FOLLOW. 
 
 The Beacon Cou 
 
 rfe is — 
 
 Miles. 
 
 4 
 
 Furiong; 
 1 
 
 !. Yards. 
 
 138 
 
 Laft three miles of ditto — 
 
 3 
 
 o 
 
 45 
 
 From the Ditch-in — 
 
 2 
 
 o 
 
 97 
 
 The laft mile and 
 
 . a diftance of B. C. 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 156 
 
 Ancafter Mile 
 
 — — 
 
 1 
 
 o 
 
 18 
 
 Fox's Courfe 
 
 — — 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 55 
 
 From the turn of the lands, in 
 
 O 
 
 5 
 
 184 
 
 Clermont Courfe 
 
 (from the Ditch) | 
 
 
 
 
 to the Duke's I 
 
 Stand — 1 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 217 
 
 Acrofs the Flat 
 
 J 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 44 
 
 Rowley Mile 
 
 — — 
 
 1 
 
 O 
 
 1 
 
 Ditch Mile 
 
 — — 
 
 o 
 
 7 
 
 178 
 
 Abingdon Mile 
 
 — 
 
 o 
 
 7 
 
 211 
 
 Two middle miles of B. C. 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 125 
 
 Two Years Old Courfe — 
 
 o 
 
 d 
 
 136 
 
 Yearling Courfe 
 
 — — 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 
 147 
 
 Round Courfe 
 
 — — 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 93 
 
 Duke's Courfe 
 
 — — 
 
 4 
 
 o 
 
 184 
 
 Bunbury's Mile 
 
 — — 
 
 o 
 
 7 
 
 2C8 
 
 Dutton's Courfe 
 
 — • — 
 
 3 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 The New Roundabout Courfe on the Flat is 
 nearly a mile and three quarters. 
 
 The 
 
464f SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 The great and leading qualification of a horfe 
 bred for the turf, is the purity of his blood, 
 which can only be infured by the verity of his 
 PEDIGREE, and this, to be authentic, mud be figned 
 by the breeder, and is in purchafe and fale always 
 transferred with the horfe. The moft diftinguifh- 
 ing trait of judgment in racing, is firft to afcertain 
 the exa6l fpced of the horfe, and then to difcover 
 of what precife weight he is mafter; that he may 
 not be retarded in one, by being overloaded with 
 the other. Attentive experience with the profes- 
 sors and AMATEURS for a feries of years, has long 
 fince fully demonft rated, upon practical proof, (for 
 the trials have been repeatedly made even to the 
 key of the dable-doorj that the celerity is, in cer- 
 tain degrees, to be increafed or impeded by the 
 weight the horfe has to carry. It will, therefore, 
 be readily conceived, if two horfes are tolerably 
 equal in fpeed, ftrength, blood, and bone, as well 
 as of the fame year, the horfe which carries the 
 leaf!: weight by only thi'ee pounds^ muft, in the 
 courfe of four miles, difplay the advantage he 
 has over his antagonift ; particularly as the longer 
 the race, the more will the horfe be affeQed by the 
 weight he carries; and thofe who are the beft and 
 moft experienced judges, hefitate not to affirm, 
 that the addition o[ /even pounds weight carried by 
 one, where both are thought of equal fpeed, will, 
 if the ground is run honeftly over, make the diffe- 
 rence of a distance (two hundred and forty yards) 
 in the four miles only* The 
 
SPOUTING DICTIONARY. 465 
 
 The racing weights mofi: in ufe for half a cen- 
 tury pad, have been according to age and qualifi- 
 cations, from about feven ftone feven, to nine 
 ilone twelve, or ten ftone; except in matches with 
 two years old, and yearlings at light or feather 
 weights, and the King's hundreds, for which 
 (till fome trifling alterations lately adopted) they 
 carried at fix years old twelve stone. There are, 
 however, fome new clubs, lately inftituted by 
 NOBLEMEN and gentlemen of the firft diflinc- 
 tion, who hold their meetings at Bibury and 
 Kingscote, in Gloucefterfhire, where the weights 
 are advanced beyond former example to twelve or 
 thirteen ftone, upon a well-founded principle of 
 exciting emulation in breeders to pay fome atten- 
 tion to BONE as well as to blood; a moft judicious 
 and falutary improvement, confidering the infinity 
 of -weeds that are annually drafted and deftined to 
 ihe hammer of a repofitory, as obje8;s of neither 
 value, utility, or attraQion. 
 
 CERTIFICATE of AGE. 
 
 Raby Caftle, March i, 1803. 
 I hereby certify that my Bay Colt, Hap Ha- 
 zard, got by Sir Peter Teazle, Dam by Eclipse, 
 was bred by me, and that he was no more than 
 Four Years old laft Grafs. 
 
 D 
 
 Vol. I. Hh ARTICLE 
 
466 SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 ARTICLE OF A MATCH. 
 
 Oclober 12, 1798. 
 Sir H. T. Vane's B. Horfe Hambletonian, got 
 by King Fergus, Dam by Highflyer, now Six 
 Years, carrying 8ft. 31b. is matched againft Mr. 
 Cookfon's B. Horfe Diamond, by Highflyer, (out 
 of the Dam of Sparkler,) now Five Years old, 
 carrying 8ft. over the Beacon Courfe at New- 
 market, on Monday in the next Craven Meeting, 
 for 3000 Guineas, Half forfeit; with a Powder re- 
 ferved to alter the Day and Hour, or either, by 
 
 confent. 
 
 H. T. V. 
 J. C. 
 
 This match was run on Monday, March 25, 
 1799, and won by Hambletonian, (five to four in 
 his favour at ftarting.)— See Diamond or Hamble- 
 
 TONi.\X. 
 
 PRODUCE MATCH 
 
 FOR SPRING MEETING, 1803. 
 
 The Produce of Sir T. Gafcoigne's Golden 
 Locks, covered by King Fergus, againft the Pro* 
 duce of Mr.. Fox's Dam of Calomel, covered by 
 Beningbrough, for 200 Guineas each, Half for- 
 feit. Colts to carry 8ft. Fillies 7ft. iilb. Laft 
 Mile and a Half. No Produce no Forfeit. 
 
 6 Produce 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 467 
 
 Produce Matches, and Produce Swcepftakcs, are 
 generally made and entered into during the time 
 fuch Mares are in Foal. 
 
 A POST PRODUCE MATCH 
 
 OF 200 GUINEAS EACH. 
 
 Colts to carry 8ft. ylb. Fillies 8ft. 41b. 
 
 Mr. Clifton's Expe6lation 1 covered by 
 
 Mr. Clifton's Euftatia f Abba Thulle. 
 
 Mr. Clifton's Sifter to Gabriel 
 
 Mr. Dawfon's Sincerity 
 
 Mr. Dawfon's Highflyer Mare, 
 
 out of Sincerity ^Coriander, 
 
 Mr. Dawfon's Blind Highflyer I 
 
 Mare J 
 
 Each to bring the Produce of one to run over 
 Knavefmire when Four Years old. 
 
 ARTICLE FOR A SWEEPSTAKES. 
 
 Oxford, 
 
 We whofe Names are hereunto fubfcribed, do 
 agree to run for a Sweepftakes of 50 Guineas 
 each, over Port Meadow, on the laft Day of 
 Hh 2 Oxford 
 
468 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 Oxford Races next enfuing; the Horfes to carry 
 the Gold Cup Weights, viz. Four Years old, 7ft. 
 ylb. Five Years old, 8ft. j\h. Six Years old, 
 9ft. and aged, 9ft. 41b. one Four Mile Heat. The 
 Winner of the Gold Cup to carry ylb. extra. The 
 Subfcribers to name their Horfes to the Clerk of 
 the Course on or before the firft Day of March 
 next; and the Subfcription to clofe on that Day. 
 The Stakes to be paid into the Hands of the Clerk 
 of the Courfe before ftarting, or the Subfcription 
 to be doubled. Five Subfcribers, or no Race. 
 
 HUNTERS SWEEPSTAKES. 
 
 Rochefter, 
 
 A Sweepftakes of 10 Guineas each, for Hunters 
 (carrying 12ft. one Four Mile Heat, to be rode 
 by Gentlemen) that have never ftarted for Plate, 
 Match, or Sweepstakes, and to be bona fide the 
 Property of Subfcribers, and which have been re- 
 gularly hunted the preceding Seafon as Hunters, 
 and not merely to have obtained the Name ; and 
 that have never had a Sweat with an Intention to 
 run before the hrft of May next enfuing. Certi-/ 
 ficates of their having hunted regularly to be pro- 
 duced (if required) from the Owner or Owners, of 
 the Hounds with which they have hunted; and to 
 be named to the Clerk of the Courfe on or be- 
 fore 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. AGQ 
 
 fore the firft of April next; and the Stakes to be 
 depofited at the fame Time, or the Horfe not per- 
 mitted to ftart. — Six Subfcribersj or no Race. 
 
 See Jockey Club, King's Plate, Training, 
 and Turf. 
 
 HOUGH-BONY — was a term formerly iifed to 
 fignify^an enlargement of the cap of a horfe's 
 hock, whether it was only a thickening of the in- 
 tegument, generally termed a callofity, or an offi- 
 fication juft below it. The phrafe, however, is 
 now confidered entirely obfolete; and the diftinc- 
 tion in thofe defefts much better underftood by the 
 appellation of blood spavin, bone spavin, or 
 CURB, as the cafe may happen to be. 
 
 HOUNDS— are the well-known objeds of 
 sporting attraction from one extremity of the 
 kingdom to another; poffefTing within themfelves 
 a fafcinating power, or exhilarating property, to 
 which all liberal minds, of congenial fenfibility, be- 
 come imperceptibly and irrefiftibly fubdued; form- 
 ing that kind of inexplicable temptation, that inde- 
 fcribable vibration of pleafure upon human irrita- 
 bility, that none but thofe of the mod ftoical 
 apathy, the greateft mental fortitude, or perfonal 
 felf-denial, can fummon fufficient refolution to 
 avoid. 
 
 H h 3 The 
 
470 SPORTING DICTIONARY* 
 
 The great variety of hounds with which the 
 country formerly abounded, feem now, by the 
 judicious croffes of fucceeding generations, to have 
 been principally reduced to a much more con- 
 trafted point of view, and center entirely in the 
 denomination of stag hounds, fox hounds, har- 
 riers, and beagles; each of the four being a 
 degree lefs in fizc than the other, with fuch varia- 
 tions in ftrength, fpeed, colour, and tongue, as 
 may have been adopted by the judgment or fancy 
 of the BREEDER. Wc havc been taught, by a 
 maxim of long {landing, to believe, " there is no 
 rule without an exception." An author of much 
 celebrity, however, in refpecl to the breeding of 
 hounds, pays due refpe8: to rule, but does not 
 advert to exception. It is his opinion, '^ that 
 there are neceflary points in the fliape of a hound, 
 which ought always to be attended to; for if he 
 be not of a perfect fymmetry, he will neither run 
 fafl, nor bear much work : he has much to un^ 
 dergo, and fliould have ftrength proportioned to 
 it. Let his legs be flraight as arrows; his feet 
 round, and not too large ; his ilioulders back ; his 
 breaft rather wide than narrow ; his cheft deep ; 
 his back broad; his head fmall; his neck thin; his 
 tail thick and brufhy ; if he carry it well, fo much 
 the better." 
 
 Without animadverting upon the size of any 
 particular kind of houndj as applicable to any par- 
 ticular 
 
SrORTIXC DICTIONARY. 471 
 
 ticLilar fort of chafe, or to any particular kind 
 of country, but with a view to the aggregate in 
 a general fcnfe, there are, as in all other matters 
 of FANCY, FASHION, OF CAPRICE, a varicty of opi- 
 nions. Some there are who profefs thcmfelvcs 
 ftrenuous advocates for what they term the " bufy 
 buftlers," or fmall hounds, upon a plea, that thev 
 are always at work, lofe no time, climb hills fall 
 enough for any horfe, and get through coverts 
 quicker than any other. Sportfmen of a bolder de- 
 fcription are equally ftrenuous, and perhaps with a 
 greater fhew of reafon, in the fupport of 'large 
 hounds, juflly affirming, they will make their way 
 in any country, get better through the dirt than a 
 fmall one; and that their purfuit can be but little 
 obftruQed by whatever fence may prelent itfelf in 
 the courfe of the chafe. 
 
 Mr. Beckford, whofe opinion, and perfe8: prac- 
 tical knowledge of the fubje8:, has been implicitly 
 bowed to, and acquiefced in, by the beft and 
 mofl experienced judges in the kingdom, has 
 given a decided preference to " hounds of a 
 MIDDLE size;" faying, "• he believes all animals 
 of that defcription are the firongeft and befl able 
 to bear fatigue ;" in corroboration of which he 
 quotes from Somerville, as would have been 
 alfo done in this place, in confirmation of the fame 
 opinion. 
 
 II h 4 <. But 
 
472 SPORTIXS DICTIONARY. 
 - - •" But here a mean 
 
 Obferve, nor the large hound prefer, of fizc 
 Gigantic ; he in the thick-woven covert 
 Painfully tugs, or in the thorny brake, 
 Torn and embarrafs'd, bleeds : but if too fmall, 
 The pigmy brood in every furrow fwims ; 
 Moil'd in clogging clay, panting they lag 
 Behind inglorious ; or elfe fhivering creep, 
 Benumb'd and faint, beneath the fnelt'ring thorn. 
 For hounds of middle fize, aftive and flrong, 
 Will better anfwer all thy various ends. 
 And crown thy pleafing labours with fuccefs." 
 
 Next to the confideration of size and symme- 
 try (whatever that may be) fhould follow a cor- 
 refponding uniformity of the whole. A pack, to 
 be handfome, ftiould vary little or none in height, 
 and have a pleafing affinity to each other in co- 
 lour: to be good, they fhould run well together; 
 and the unifon of their mufical tongues ihouid 
 conftitute a perfeft harmony? without a fingle note 
 of difcord. It is well known, that i^t is not al> 
 ways the lot of the moft complete and belt fe- 
 lefted packs to kill in proportion to their fecming 
 excellence; fome are very much fuperior in quali- 
 fications to what they may promife to a ftranger at 
 Jirjl view; for though of various fizes, and picked 
 up in different counties, (as well as from the ham- 
 mer,) without the leaft appearance of confan- 
 guinity, or one diftinguifhing trait of attraBion, 
 yet they feldom mifs their game. Mr. Beckford 
 fiientions a pack of this defcription who killed 
 
 txventy' 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 473 
 
 twenty-nine foxes without intermiffion ; that when 
 they were running, there was a long Jlring of them, 
 and ^w try fault was hit off by an old southern 
 HOUND, When fufficient time has been employed 
 in forming a pack of hounds, they can never be 
 confidered in a ftate of excellence or fuperiority, 
 unlefs they go as if they were in harnefs; that is, 
 when they are running hreajl high^ they fhould run 
 nearly all a breafl ; or, in other words, when clear 
 of covert, and croiTing a country, the body might 
 nearly be covered with a flieet. 
 
 Nothing is a greater difgrace to the master, the 
 HUNTSMAN, or thc pack, than to fee a parcel of 
 ftraggling /diz7 hounds, labouring in vain; except 
 a leading hound loaded with a leaden necklace^ to 
 reftrain his fpeed, and deprefs the inftin6live im- 
 pulfe of his nature to a level with thofe who are 
 not his equals. This is a truly unfportfman-like 
 flretch of authority, bordering upon cruelty; and 
 would be much more " honored in the breach than 
 the obfervance.*' Hounds of either defcription 
 had better be parted with, than to encounter con^ 
 iiantly a mortification fo eafily to be removed; 
 and both will be the lefs likely to happen, the more 
 moderate the number taken to the field. The 
 taking out too many hounds is a frequent error in 
 judgment, always produ6live of trouble, and 
 fometimes to a moll vexatious diminution of 
 fport. to the incelTant employment of the whip- 
 3 P^^ 
 
474 SPORTING DICTION A.RY, 
 
 per-in, whofe horfe is the greatefl; fufferer upon the 
 occafion. 
 
 Hounds differ much in their properties, ac- 
 cording to the croffes in blood, and this is plainly 
 perceptible to a nice obferver, as well in their en- 
 deavours to find, . as in the purfuit of their game; 
 for thofe retaining moft of the fouthern hound in 
 their blood, are always the, moft conftitutionally 
 tardy in aclion. The north country beagle, (now 
 called harrier,} with, a crofs of the dwarf fox 
 HOUND, has produced a direcl contraft to the 
 fomier, and are generally in ufe in thofe open 
 countries where horfes.can lay by the fide of them. 
 The delight of the old fouthern hound is to dwell 
 upon the fcent ; the extatic eagernefs of the latter 
 is to prejs it before him. When the former come 
 to a fault, and can carry the fcent no farther, they 
 ftick their nofes to the ground as clofe together as 
 a fwarm of bees, making few or no efforts of 
 their own^ unlefs lifted along by the helping hand 
 and encouraging voice of the huntsman. The 
 exertions of the latter are inftantaneous and inde- 
 fatigable ; they make their caft in different direc- 
 tions, without a moment's paufe, and every indi- 
 vidual pants with emulation to become the happy 
 inftrument of recovery : once hit of, the general 
 ftruggle for pre-eminence conftitutes a fcene by far 
 too luxurious for the inadequate reprefentation of 
 literary defcription. 
 
 Oppofite 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 475 
 
 Oppofite as thefe chafes arc, they are not with- 
 out their diftintt and different votaries : the tem- 
 pers oF fome men, and the age or infirmities of 
 others, render their minds as gloomy as the at- 
 mofphere of the winter's day in which they iiuxt; 
 to thefe the folemn knell of the southern jiound 
 is fo miijically mechanical^ that it fcems to vibrate 
 in unifon with the fomniferoiis melancholy of their 
 own fenfations. But with thofe in the health and 
 pride of manhood, who enjoy the obltacles, and 
 furmount the difficulties, of crossing a country, 
 in dire6l contrail to the ruminative pleafure of 
 whipping a thijllc^ or riding a few rings round a 
 barn, fleet hounds will always have the preference. 
 Hounds of this defcription, it mufl be candidly 
 confeffed, are, however, drawn too fine in their 
 formation, and fo critically refined to fpeed, that 
 the game, whatever it may be, can fland but a 
 little time before them : unlcfs, from ftormv 
 weather, or fome other accidental caufe, much 
 cold hunting fliould intervene. And this, in the 
 prefent rage for improvement, is fo much the cafe 
 with HARRIERS iu gcncral, that, in the earl)* part of 
 the feafon, half the hares found are run up to in 
 the Jirjl viezo ; and even after Chriftmas, when 
 they are fuppofed to get ftrong; average chafes do 
 not exceed from twenty minutes to half an hour; 
 and by the unprecedented fpeed of hounds, as they 
 are now bred, the fox chafe is contracled in pro- 
 portion. 
 
 Although 
 
47^ Sr-OPvTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 Although the breeding, entering, feeding, air- 
 ing, and general management of hounds, is an en- 
 tire fyilem, dependent upon perfonal pra8.ice, 
 from a ftricl and attentive attachment to which 
 alone^ excellence can be derived; yet, fuch rules 
 and falutary regulations as Hand high in fporting 
 eftimation, may be introduced for the information 
 of thofe, who, in the infancy of initiation, are 
 anxious to improve their judgment, by blending 
 the theory of the clofet with the praftice of the 
 field. The fpring months are the befl in which 
 puppies can be produced ; they have then the 
 whole fummer to expand and grow in. Some eir- 
 cumfpeftion is neceffary in the bufinefs of propaga- 
 tion, to prevent an unneceffary deftruQion; atten- 
 tion fhould be paid to fhape, fize, colour, difpofi- 
 tion, and qualification, of both the dog and bitch 
 intended to breed from ; if the perfedion of fire 
 or dam are wilhed, or expefted, to be retained, 
 and difplayed, in the offspring. The fporting 
 world are enjoined by the belt authority, '' on no 
 account to breed from one that is not Jlout^ that is 
 not tender nofed.^ or that is either a babbler or a 
 Jkirter : it is the judicious crofs that makes the 
 pack complete. The faults and imperfections in 
 one breed, may be rectified in another; and if this 
 be properly attended to, no reafon can be fug- 
 gelted, why the breeding of hounds may not im- 
 prove, till improvement can go no further.'" 
 
 Amidft 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 4?7 
 
 Amidft general remarks, it may be remembered, 
 that none but healthy and ftrong hounds fhould be 
 bred from : old dogs fliould never be put to old 
 bitches ; and good whelps fliould never be put 
 to bad walks : (tinted in their earlieft growth, (by 
 a want of proper nutriment,) the frame becomes 
 impoverifhed, the loins weak, and they are the 
 lefs able to encounter that terrible foe, the dif- 
 temper^ whenever it may make its attack. This ge- 
 nerally happens from the fixth to the ninth or tentli 
 month, and proves incredibly deftructive, w^iich 
 probably may be chiefly owing to the little that is 
 done upon thofe occafions, by the way of either 
 prevention or cure. Various are the opinions re- 
 fpeQing the number of hounds it may be neceflary 
 to keep in kennel during the hunting feafon ; and 
 thefe mull be regulated by the kind of country 
 they have to hunt, as one may tire or lame hounds 
 more than another: flippery, marley clay will do 
 the one; the rolling flints of Surrey, Oxford- 
 shire, or Hampshire, never fail to do the other. 
 Thofe who are prudent, will never take more than 
 from twenty to five-and-twenty couple to the field; 
 to exceed which, would not only be rather unjair^ 
 but probably do more harm than good. The 
 number necefiary to be taken, is not fo material a 
 matter of conlideration, as their conjundive quali- 
 fications when there; thirty-five couple of fettled, 
 Ready, feafoned hounds, will, therefore, admit of 
 hunting three (occafionally four) days a wxek. 
 
 It 
 
47B SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 It is a well-founded opinion, that every kennel 
 fliould have a proper annual fupply of young 
 hounds; if this is negle8:ed for two or three feafons^ 
 the pack will foon be overloaded with old hounds, 
 and fuddenly fall into decay. Induftrious, hard- 
 working hounds, feldom continue in full vigour 
 and fpeed longer than five or fix feafons ; though 
 there are not wanting inftances of deferving fa- 
 vourites having continued \hQ crack hounds of the 
 pack for eight or nine years in fucceffion. A little 
 of this difference may probably proceed from two 
 caufes, a variation in conftitution, and a contraft 
 in the difcipline of the kennel; from which Mr. 
 Beckford candidly confeffes he never was long 
 abfent, without perceiving a difference in their 
 looks at his return. It is alfo his opinion, that 
 from eight to twelve couple of young hounds, bred 
 annually, would fufficiently fupply an eftablifh- 
 Kient not exceeding forty couple; but it is always 
 befl to have a referve of a few couple more than 
 wanted, in cafe of accidents; fince, from the time 
 the draft is made, to the time of hunting, is a long 
 period, and their exiftence at that age and feafon 
 very precarious : befides, when they are fafe from 
 the diftemper, they are not always fo from each 
 other; and a fummer feldom paffes without fome 
 loffes of that kind. At the fame time he hints the 
 ablurdity of entering more than are ncceffary to 
 keep up the pack, as a greater number would only 
 create ufelefi trouble, and more vexation. 
 
 No 
 
SPORTING DICTION'ARV.. 
 
 479 
 
 No one fubjeft, perhaps, has i-b nearly cxhaufted 
 the fertility of human invention, as the infinity of 
 names beflowcd upon nouNDS and horses; 'which 
 have been fo numerous and divcrfified, that a fnigle 
 name can hardly be adopted, ^vhich has not been 
 before brought into ufe. In proof of which, the 
 writer juft mentioned has given a lift of more than 
 eight hundred appellations, or terms by which 
 hounds may be known : but as the name of each 
 hound fiiould as nearly as poffible correfpond with 
 the fport, ("as well as the moft apparent qualification 
 of the individual,) fuch only are introduced here 
 as are the moft mufical, and from which a variety 
 for even two or three packs may be fele6led. 
 
 DOGS. 
 
 DOGS. 
 
 DOGS. 
 
 DOGS. 
 
 Agent 
 
 Blufter 
 
 Charon 
 
 Damper 
 
 Aim well 
 
 Boafter 
 
 Chafer 
 
 Danger 
 
 Amorous 
 
 Bouncer 
 
 Chaunter 
 
 Dabfter 
 
 Antic 
 
 Bragger 
 
 Chimer 
 
 Darter 
 
 Anxious 
 
 Brawler 
 
 Comforter 
 
 Dalher 
 
 Archer 
 
 Brazen 
 
 Comus 
 
 Dafhwood . 
 
 Ardent 
 
 Brilliant 
 
 Conqueror 
 
 Daunter 
 
 Ardor 
 
 Bruflier 
 
 Conftant 
 
 Dinger 
 
 Artful 
 
 Buftler 
 
 Coroner 
 
 Dreadnought 
 
 Atlas 
 
 
 Cottager 
 
 Driver 
 
 Atom 
 
 Captain 
 
 Countryman 
 
 Duller 
 
 Awful 
 
 Captor 
 
 Coxcomb 
 
 
 
 Carver 
 
 Craftfman 
 
 Eager 
 
 Bachelor 
 
 Caflcr 
 
 Crilic 
 
 Earncit 
 
 Bellman 
 
 Caviller 
 
 Crowner 
 
 Envious 
 
 Bluecap 
 
 Challenger 
 
 Cruifer 
 
 
 Bjijeman 
 
 Champion 
 
 Cryer 
 
 Factious 
 
 xearnought 
 
480 
 
 SPORTING DICTIONARY^ 
 
 I>OCS. 
 
 DOGf* 
 
 DOCS. 
 
 DOGSi 
 
 Fearnought 
 
 Jcrker 
 
 Nervous 
 
 Ravifhef 
 
 Ferryman 
 
 Jingler 
 
 Neaor 
 
 Reaor 
 
 Finder 
 
 Joftler 
 
 Newfman 
 
 Regent 
 
 Flagrant 
 
 Jovial 
 
 Nimrod 
 
 Render 
 
 Foamcr 
 
 Jumper 
 
 Noble 
 
 Reftive 
 
 Foiler 
 
 
 Nonfuch 
 
 Reveller 
 
 Foreman 
 
 Lafher 
 
 Noxious 
 
 Rifler 
 
 Foremoft 
 
 Lafter 
 
 
 Rigid 
 
 Forefter 
 
 Leader 
 
 Pageant 
 
 Ringwood 
 
 
 Leveller 
 
 Paragon 
 
 Rioter 
 
 Gainer 
 
 Lifter 
 
 Partner 
 
 Rockwood 
 
 Gallant 
 
 Lightfoot 
 
 Perfea 
 
 Router 
 
 Galloper 
 
 Liftener 
 
 Petulant 
 
 Rover 
 
 Gamboy 
 
 Lounger 
 
 Phoebus 
 
 Rumour 
 
 Gazer 
 
 Lurker 
 
 Pilgrim 
 
 Rural 
 
 Genius 
 
 Lufty 
 
 Pillager 
 
 Ruftic 
 
 Gimcrack 
 
 
 Pilot 
 
 
 Giant 
 
 Manful 
 
 Pincher 
 
 Sampler 
 
 Glancer 
 
 Markfman 
 
 Playful 
 
 Sampfon 
 
 Glider 
 
 Marplot 
 
 Plunder 
 
 Saucebox 
 
 Goblin 
 
 Match'em 
 
 Prattler 
 
 Saunter 
 
 Growler 
 
 Maxim 
 
 Preflo 
 
 Scamper 
 
 Guardian 
 
 Meanwell 
 
 Prodigal 
 
 Schemer 
 
 Guider 
 
 Medler 
 
 Prowler 
 
 Scrambler 
 
 
 Mender 
 
 Prophet 
 
 Scuffler 
 
 Hardy 
 
 Mentor 
 
 Profper 
 
 Searcher 
 
 Harlequin 
 
 Mercury 
 
 Profperous 
 
 Sharper 
 
 Harraffer 
 
 MerUn 
 
 
 Shifter 
 
 Headftrong 
 
 Merryman 
 
 Racer 
 
 Signal 
 
 Hearty 
 
 Mighty 
 
 Rambler 
 
 Skirmifh 
 
 Heaor 
 
 Minikin 
 
 Rampant 
 
 Social 
 
 Heedful 
 
 Monitor 
 
 Random 
 
 Songfler 
 
 Hopeful 
 
 Mounter 
 
 Ranger 
 
 Spanker 
 
 Hotfpur 
 
 Mover 
 
 Ranter 
 
 Speedwell 
 
 Hurtful 
 
 Mungo 
 
 Rattler 
 
 Splendor 
 
 
 Mutinous 
 
 Ravager 
 
 Spoiler 
 
 Spokefman 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 481 
 
 DOGS. 
 
 DOGS. 
 
 BITCHES. 
 
 BITCHES. 
 
 Spokefman 
 
 Triumph 
 
 A61ive 
 
 Dainty 
 
 Sportfman 
 
 Trojan 
 
 Aarefs 
 
 Daphne 
 
 Squabbler 
 
 Truant 
 
 Airy 
 
 Darling 
 
 Statefman 
 
 Trueman 
 
 Audible 
 
 Dauntlefs 
 
 Steady 
 
 TruRy 
 
 
 Dianna 
 
 Stickler 
 
 Trial 
 
 Baneful 
 
 Diligent 
 
 S former 
 
 Turbulent 
 
 Bafliful 
 
 Doubtful 
 
 Stranger 
 
 Twinger 
 
 Bauble 
 
 Doubtlefs 
 
 Stripling 
 
 Tyrant 
 
 Beauty 
 
 Doxy 
 
 Striver 
 
 
 Beldam 
 
 
 Stioker 
 
 Vagabond 
 o 
 
 Blamelels 
 
 Eafy 
 
 Strotter 
 
 Vagrant 
 
 Bliihefome 
 
 Echo 
 
 Struggler 
 
 Valiant 
 
 Blowzey 
 
 Endlefs 
 
 Sturdy- 
 
 Valorous 
 
 Bluebell 
 
 
 Surly 
 
 Vaulter 
 
 Bonny 
 
 Fairmaid 
 
 
 Vaunter * 
 
 Bonnylafs 
 
 Fairplay 
 
 Talifman 
 
 Venture 
 
 Boundlefs 
 
 Famous 
 
 Tamer 
 
 Vermin 
 
 Erimflone 
 
 Fancy 
 
 Tartar 
 
 Viaor 
 
 Bufy 
 
 Favourite 
 
 Tattler 
 
 Vigilant 
 
 Buckfome 
 
 Fearlefs 
 
 Taunter 
 
 Villager 
 
 
 Feftive 
 
 Teazer 
 
 Viper 
 
 Captious 
 
 Fickle 
 
 Thrafher 
 
 Violent 
 
 Carelefs 
 
 Fidget 
 
 Threatener 
 
 Voucher 
 
 Careful 
 
 Flighty 
 
 Thunderer 
 
 
 Cautious 
 
 Fiouriih 
 
 Tickler 
 
 Wanderer 
 
 Charmer 
 
 Fretful 
 
 Tomboy 
 
 Warrior 
 
 Chearful 
 
 Frilky 
 
 Torment 
 
 Well-bred 
 
 Comely 
 
 Frolic 
 
 Torrent 
 
 Whipfler 
 
 ' Comfort 
 
 - Fury . 
 
 Touchftone 
 
 Why not 
 
 Crafty 
 
 
 Tragic 
 
 Wilful 
 
 Crazy 
 
 Gambol 
 
 Trampler 
 
 V/ifdom 
 
 Credulous 
 
 " Gamefoms 
 
 Tranfit 
 
 Woodman 
 
 Croney 
 
 Gameftrefs 
 
 Traveller 
 
 Worthy 
 
 Cruel 
 
 Gaylafs 
 
 TrimbuQi 
 
 Wrangler 
 
 Curious 
 
 Ghailly 
 
 Trimmer 
 
 Wreftler 
 
 
 Giddy 
 
 Vol. L 
 
 
 li 
 
 Gladfom* 
 
4S2 
 
 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 BITCHES. 
 
 BITCHES. 
 
 BITCHES. 
 
 BITCHES, 
 
 Gladfome 
 
 Lovely 
 
 Racket 
 
 Telltale 
 
 Graceful 
 
 Lucky lafs 
 
 Rally 
 
 Tempcfl 
 
 Gracelefs 
 
 
 Ran tip ode 
 
 Termagant 
 
 Gracious 
 
 Madcap 
 
 Rapid 
 
 Terrible 
 
 Grateful 
 
 Magic 
 
 Rapine 
 
 Tefty 
 
 Guilefome 
 
 Matchlefs 
 
 Rapture 
 
 Thoughtful 
 
 Guiltlefs 
 
 Mcrrylafs 
 
 Rarity 
 
 Toilfome 
 
 Guilty 
 
 Minion 
 
 Rattle 
 
 Tragedy 
 
 
 Mifchief 
 
 Ravifli 
 
 Trifle 
 
 Hdfly 
 
 Mufic 
 
 Reptile 
 
 Trollop 
 
 liandfome 
 
 
 Reftlefs 
 
 Tuneful 
 
 Harlot 
 
 Needful 
 
 Rhapfody 
 
 
 Harmony 
 
 Nimble 
 
 Riot 
 
 Vengeance 
 
 Heedlefs 
 
 Noify 
 
 Rival 
 
 Venomous 
 
 Helen 
 
 Notable 
 
 Rummage 
 
 Venus 
 
 Heroine 
 
 Novice 
 
 R<athleft 
 
 Vicious 
 
 Hideous 
 
 
 
 Vigilance 
 
 Hoftile 
 
 Paftime 
 
 Sappho 
 
 Vixen 
 
 
 Patience 
 
 Skilful 
 
 Vocal 
 
 Jollity 
 
 Phoenix 
 
 Specioas 
 
 Volatile 
 
 Joyful 
 
 Phrenzy 
 
 Speedy 
 
 Voluble 
 
 Joyous 
 
 Placid 
 
 Spiteful 
 
 
 
 Playful 
 
 Spitfire 
 
 Wanton 
 
 Laudable 
 
 Pleafant 
 
 Sportive 
 
 Wafleful 
 
 Lavim 
 
 Pliant 
 
 Sprightly 
 
 Watchful 
 
 Lawlefs 
 
 Pofitive 
 
 Strumpet 
 
 Welcome 
 
 Lightning 
 
 " Precious 
 
 Symphony 
 
 Whimfey 
 
 Lightfome 
 
 Pretty lafs 
 
 
 Wifiiful' 
 
 Lively 
 
 Prieftefs 
 
 Tattle 
 
 
 Lofty 
 
 Prudence 
 
 
 
 Hounds 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 48:J 
 
 Hounds are conftantly liable to thofe diftrefling 
 diforders the distemper and canine madness, as 
 well as to that vexatious and troublcfome difeafe 
 called the mange. As well with hounds as with 
 horfes, prevention^ in all cafes, is preferable to 
 cure: unfortunately, there is as yet no mode dif- 
 covered by which either of the former can be pre- 
 vented. The dijlemptr^ if attended to upon hsjirjl 
 appearance, may with as much certainty be coun- 
 teracled, in the feverity of its fymptoms, by me- 
 dical interpofition, as the variolas matter is divefted 
 of its malignant miafma by the alleviating prepa- 
 ratives previous to inoculation. The only fpecifics 
 by which a purpofe fo defirable can be efFefted, 
 are the preparations of mercury blended with fmall 
 proportions of emetic tartar, as the judicious 
 praditioner may find applicable to the predominant 
 appearances of the cafe. It has been obferved, and 
 with great reafon, that as the univerfality of the dif- 
 ievipe?' has evidently increafed during the laft twenty 
 or thirty years, fo the more dellruBive calamity of 
 MADNESS amongft the /pedes has evidently declined. 
 
 As it is certain the dijlemper may be arrefted, in 
 the feverity of its progrefs, by timely intervention, 
 io the firil fymptoms of its appearance cannot be 
 too perfectly explained. It is preceded by a hufky 
 drynefs in the throat ; as if a fmall bone, or fome 
 (imilar obftruction, was fixed there, from which 
 the animal, by an inceifant kind of {training and 
 half coug^h, feems conftantly endeavouring to re- 
 
 I i 2 lieve 
 
484 SPORTING DICTIONART. 
 
 lieve itfeir. This is Toon followed by a flimy dif- 
 charge from the noflrils ; and an adhefive gummy 
 matter exudes from the eyes : food of every kind is 
 refufed ; the eyes become funk and glaffy : the car- 
 cafe, behind the ribs, is invariably contra61ed, and 
 a ftrifture is to be obferved upon the abdominal 
 mufcles, as if bound with a cord. As the diforder 
 becomes more inveterate in its progrefs, other 
 fymptoms enfue; every day demonftrates additional 
 debility and emaciation; eternal trainings to vomit, 
 and thofe fevere and violent, producing nothing 
 more than a mere vifcid phlegm or flimy mucus 
 from the glands : a frequent tenefmus, or {training 
 to evacuate by ftool, without effeft, is alfo at- 
 tendant : to this fucceeds a difirefrmg wxaknefs oF 
 the loins, occafioning a twilling and diftortion of 
 the hinder extremities, as if a disjunftion of the 
 vertebras had taken place. If the diforder is not 
 countera'Slcd at or before its crisis, fpafms and 
 twitchings become perceptible about the head and 
 neck; the difcharge from the nofe and eyes affume 
 a dry and barky appearance, forming a kind of 
 matted efchar upon the furface ; the eyes become 
 more and more funk, till nearly clofed : a ropy 
 (lime oozes from each fide the jaws, which feem 
 nearly fixed; a drooping dizzinefs, and frequent 
 difpofition to turning round, is commonly feea 
 during this ftage; and fits foon follow, which, more 
 or lefs, continue till, during fome one of thefe pa- 
 roxyfms, death clofes the scene. 
 
 In 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 485 
 
 In the earlier flages o£ the diftemper, the well- 
 known powder of Doctor Tames has been brouoht 
 into Life with fuccefs. It may, however, be neccf- 
 fary to premife, that no good efFea is to be ex- 
 pe61ed from fmall and ineffectual dofes; they niufl 
 be large to be efficacious : no relief can be obtained, 
 but by taking off the general (Iri^ture, removing 
 the obflru6lions, promoting the various fecretions, 
 and conftituting revulfion. When ic is fo evidently 
 afcertained, tliat all dogs labouring under the dif- 
 temper, have both the flomach and inteftinal canal 
 difordered, and in a flate of extreme irritation, it 
 is natural to advert a little to the/Zz/z, dii^t^ gravel, 
 fand, dry grafs,^ Jlraxv^ and various other extra- 
 iieous particles, young dogs and puppies ravenoufly 
 flwaliow with the chance food they happen to pick 
 up : and it is equally worthy attention, that the 
 prelude to vifible amendment is generally the dif- 
 cliarge of an indurated mass or pellet from the 
 ANUS, which, when broken to pieces^ is found to 
 confilt of the before-mentioned articles; and, be- 
 yond a doubt, by retarding fome fecretions, and 
 obftru6ling others, contributes in no fmall degree to 
 increafe the inveteracy of difeafe. For e:s:planatory 
 remarks upon canine madness and hydrophobia, 
 fee Dogs. 
 
 The mange, when it has once found its way 
 into a kennel, is a mod troublefome, loathfome, 
 and infeaious difordcr; if it has not been intro- 
 
 113 ^ duced 
 
4S6 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 uuced by the latter, it muft have originated in an 
 acrimonious and vitiated ftate of the blood, arifing 
 from too long a perfeverance in fome impoveriflied 
 or putrijied kind of food ; a want of proper air or 
 exercise; or a culpable deficiency in cleanlinefs ^ 
 without all which, health and ftrength need not 
 long be expe6led. The mange is a diforder too 
 well known not only in hounds, but every other 
 kind of DOG, to require defcription; and for the 
 cure of which, authors, compilers, and editors^ 
 of every clafs, have furniflied means in abundance, 
 fulphur vivum, oil of turpentine, gunpowder, gin- 
 ger, train oil, foot, and a tedious combination of 
 coiMBusTiBLEs, (with vai'ions alternatives, in cafes, 
 of failure,) are recommended to extirpate what 
 may be completely eradicated without half the naf- 
 tinefs or trouble. All that externals can do, may 
 be expected from three plentiful baftings of a very 
 cheap and eafily-procured compofition, confiding 
 of fulphur vivum, four ounces; white hellebore 
 powder, two ounces; black pepper, very finely 
 powdered, one ounce; fal armoniac, (finely pow- 
 dered likewife,) half an ounce; oil of tartar, one 
 ounce; and common olive oil, one pint; with 
 which the difeafed fubjeft fhould have every af- 
 feQed part fully and forcibly impregnated with the 
 hand at three different times, three days apart > 
 during which procefs, at the fame equal diflances 
 of time, three mercurial purging balls of a pro- 
 per ftrength (proportioned to the age^ fize^ and 
 
 Jlrengfh^ 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY* 487 
 
 Jlrength^ of the dog) fliould be adminiftcrcd, if a 
 fure and fpcedy cure is to be cxpcded. 
 
 The difordcr called the red mange does not ap- 
 pear to be nearly allied to \vhatis fo well known by 
 the common appellation of mange, but to be a 
 fpecies of difeafe within itfelf, feated in the Ikin, 
 and not always infeftious amongft dogs laying to- 
 gether, but almofl: invariably communicated by a 
 BITCH to her litter of whelps, particularly if flie 
 had it upon her during the time flie was in pup. 
 This diforder is mofl malignant in its effeft ; the 
 inceffant and fevere itching, which, from all obfer- 
 vation, feems accompanied by a burning heat^ and 
 this too increafed by the perpetual biting and 
 fcratching of the tortured animal, gives fuch parts 
 of the frame as are feverely affeded, the appearance 
 of having been fcaldcd by fome boiling liquor, 
 with a confequent lofs of hair. It is this diftind 
 kind of mange that fo conftantly baffles dog-doc- 
 TORS and dog-rmongers of every defcription, and re- 
 duces them to their ne plus ultra^ where the fertility 
 of invention can go no further. It is, perhaps, 
 the moll deceptive diforder to v/hich any part of the 
 animal w^orld can become unluckily fubjeft; for 
 when it has (feemingly and repeatedly) fubmitted 
 to, and been fubdued by, fome of the combination 
 of combuftibles before defcribed, it has as fuddenly, 
 as repeatedly, and as unexpeftedly, made its re- 
 appearance v/ith all its former virulence. Great 
 
 I i 4 care. 
 
488 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 care, nice attention, and long experience, can dif- 
 cover but one infallible mode of perfed eradication. 
 Let half an ounce of corrosive sublimate be re- 
 duced in a glafs mortar to an impalpable powder ; 
 to this, by a very fmall quantity at a time, add two 
 ounces (half a gill) of fpirits of wine; and, laftly, 
 one pint of rain or river water, and, v/ith a fponge 
 dipt in the folution, let every part palpably affefted 
 be well wafhed, every third day, till thrice per- 
 formed; then leave three clear days, and repeat 
 the former ceremony of thrice as before; letting 
 three mercurial purging balls be given at the 
 equal diftanccs ftated in the common mange, and 
 no doubt of cure need be entertained, if the mode 
 prefcribed is properly and judicioudy attended to. 
 
 However opinions may vary upon the manner of 
 TEEDiNG hounds, as well in refpe8: to time, as the 
 occafional changes in, and property of, the food 
 beft adapted to the purpofe of nutritious support, 
 no oppofition whatever can arife to the general in- 
 culcation of CLEANLINESS, as indifpcnfibl v condu- 
 cive to the prefervation of health, and confequent 
 exclufion of disease. In the acceptation of the 
 -word cleanlinefs^ may be included the true intent 
 and meaning of both internal and external circum- 
 fpePiion and attention, as well in physic, and in 
 FOOD, as in the neat and judicious arrangement of 
 the kennel; where the conjunftive force of which 
 is wanting, what a train of difeafcy mifiry\ and 
 
 wrctchednefsj 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 489 
 
 ^^retchednefs, frequently enfues! To avoid all 
 which, at the times and leafons found mofl proper 
 for their introduction, antimonial alteratives, 
 and MERCURIAL PURGATIVES, fhouid be brought 
 into ufe. Upon this practice Mr. Beckford has 
 given his opinion in the following words. 
 
 ^' I am not fond of bleeding hounds, unlefs they 
 want it; though it has long been a cuftom to phyfic 
 them twice a year; after »they leave off hunting, 
 and before they begin. It is given in hot weather, 
 and at an idle time. It cools their bodies, and, 
 without doubt, is of fervice to them. If a hound 
 be in want of phyfic, I prefer giving it in balls.* 
 It is more ,eafy to give in this manner the quan- 
 tity he may want, and you are more certain that he 
 takes it. In many kennels, they alfo bleed them 
 twice a year, and fome people think that it prevents 
 jriadi?.efs. The anointing of hounds, or drejfing 
 them, as huntfmen call it, makes them fine in their 
 coats : it may be done twice a year, or oftener, if 
 found neceffary." 
 
 The neceffity of introducing fomething medicinal 
 for the prefervation of health, and prevention of 
 difeafe, is thus admitted upon the bell of all founda- 
 tions, 
 
 * One pound of antimony, four ounces of fulphur, and fyriip of 
 buckthorn a fufficient quantity to give it a proper confiflence. Each 
 t)all to weigh about feven drachms. 
 
490 SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 tions, pra6lical experience ; but as medical preci- 
 fion cannot be expefted from thofe who have not 
 made the profeffion their ftudy, fo Mr. Beckford 
 feems to have applied " i^/^c" in a general fenfe 
 to every kind of medicine, as well to alteratives 
 as to purgatives; though the term, when ufed 
 technically, is conceived to imply the latter only. 
 According to this conftruftion, it is to be prefumed, 
 Mr. Beckford adminiflered the balls as " phyfic,'* 
 when, in fa61, they can only be termed antimonial 
 alterativ^es, calculated to obtund acrimony, and 
 alter the property of the blood. Mercurial purga- 
 tives perfe8;ly cleanfe the intellinal canal, and cor- 
 red morbidity at the fame time. External applica- 
 tions, called '' drejfings^'' are more particularly 
 direfted to bodily eruptions, and cutaneous difeafes 
 of the flvin : in all thefe, sulphur is a principal 
 ingredient, and looked upon as a fpecific : in fact, 
 its efficacy is too well known to admit of a doubt 
 upon the occafion. 
 
 Hounds, as well as horses, are rendered fubfer- 
 vicnt inftruments to the fupport of Government, 
 and exigencies of the State. Perfons keeping them 
 pay a tax of thirty pounds per annum, 
 
 HOUZING. — The houzing of a horfe is a part 
 of military parapharnalia appertaining to officers of 
 cavalry in general, and the privates of the King's 
 horfe guards in particular; confifting of fcarlet 
 
 trappings 
 
.^PORTING DICTIONARY. 4^1 
 
 trappings ornamented with gold lace, fringe, and 
 Ibme part of the infignia of the crown. They are 
 faflened to the hinder part of the fadd'e, and fuf- 
 pended from the loins, fo as to caver the flanks, 
 and a part of the hind-quarters on each fide. Ge- 
 neral and FIELD OFFICERS havc their houzings 
 principally manufaftured of lions, tigers, or leo- 
 pard's fls^ins, giving additional magnificence to the 
 {lately grandeur of the military charger. 
 
 HUMOURS.— All chronic diforders in the 
 horfe, arifmg from an impure (late of the blood, 
 are with the inferior claffes in general denominated 
 '' humours;" as a concife mode of avoiding fcien- 
 tific invedigation, or medical ambiguity, and bring- 
 ing the cafe immediately home, as they think, to 
 every comprchenfion. With people of the defcrip- 
 tion alluded to (whether smiths, farriers, coach- 
 men, or grooms) the word humours is conceived fa 
 wonderfully comprehenfive, that it is by them fup- 
 pofed ta convey an infinite idea of every things at 
 the very moment it is known, by their fuperiors and 
 employers, to imply no definite or certain meaning 
 at all. If a horfe has fwelled legs, they are the 
 €ffe6l of " humours.'' If an inflammation of and 
 defluxion from the eyes,, they are equally produced 
 by " huynours'* Should cracked heels appear (the 
 evident effeft of idlenefs, and w^ant of attention) 
 they too are brought on by '' humours,'' Even 
 thrufhes; occafionedin general by equal negle6l and 
 
 want 
 
4^2 Sr-OilTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 want of cleanlinefs, are alfo frequently attributed 
 to " humours ;'' and to fam up the intrinfic value 
 of this profeflional gem, even lamenefs, in a variety 
 of cafes, whether behind or before, above or below, 
 is mo^fapiently^ if not scientifically, attributed 
 to that ne plus ultra of definition, denominated 
 humours. 
 
 Thus far upon what humours d^xt fuppofcd to be; 
 now to what they are. It may readily be conceived 
 by thofe not profeffionally informed on the fubjeft, 
 that the blood (which is the very mainfpring of 
 exillence) muft have preferved fuch kind of equa- 
 lity, confiftency, or uniformity, in its component 
 parts, as to conititute a precife ftandard, neceffary 
 to the enjoyment and prefervation of health. 
 This incontrovertible pofition being admitted be- 
 yond all pofiible ground of controverfy, what does 
 it evidently demonftrate ? Why, that as much as 
 the BLOOD is enriched ahove^ or impoveriflied bclow^ 
 that standard, in its properly^ fo in proportion 
 mud it approach the kind of difeafe appertaining to 
 the one extreme or the other. To thofe whofe in- 
 tellectual rays are open to convidion, not a fingle 
 line more would be required in explanation ; but 
 that the moil incredulous^ the moft ohJI-iiiate^ and 
 the moft illiterate^ may have equal opportunity 
 of information, let the two different ftates of the 
 blood, (as juft explained,) with their effects, be 
 adverted to. When it has, by a iuperabundance 
 
 of 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 4^3 
 
 of food and eafe, a negle8: of exerciTe, and a want 
 of the neceflfary evacuations, acquired a degree of 
 confidence (or thicknefs) above the criterion al- 
 ready defcribed, it then becomes too heavy and 
 JhtggiJJi for its purpofe of regular circulation, 
 and is proportionally inadequate to the taflv of pro- 
 pelling the perfpirative matter to the furface, which 
 being thus compulfively returned upon the blood, 
 adds to its fizinefs, and promotes its vifciditv, 
 jointly tending to fuch partial ftagnation, as foon 
 difplays itfelf in fome one of the many diforders to 
 which horfes are incident, in the hands of thofe 
 where prevention is not attended to, 
 
 , Having taken a furvey of the flate of the 
 BLOOD, by which fwelled legs, greafe, foulnefs, 
 inflammatory tumours, formations of matter in va- 
 rious parts, and one fpecies of farcy, may be pro- 
 duced, it will be neceffary to take a fhort viev/ of 
 it in its contrafted flate, when, by a continued fe- 
 ries of hard work, with had keep, a conftant fup- 
 ply of unhealthy provender, in mujly oats, Tfiouldy 
 hay, or any other article diftending the body, with- 
 out adequate nutriment to the frame, as well as the 
 vant of a proper fupply, in proportion to the ne- 
 ceffary secretions ?.nd evacuations, will either, 
 or all, tend to diminijli the crassamentum, or ad- 
 heuve property of the blood, and in a greater or 
 lefs degree (according to the caufe) reduce it to a 
 ferous or weak and watery ftate, below the Pcandard 
 
 of 
 
494 SPORTING DICTIONARY* 
 
 of mediocrity fo clearly explained; when acquiring 
 acrimony in proportion as it has been reduced, the 
 efFecl feldom refts upon emaciation only, but foon 
 difplays itfelf in fome cutaneous eruption, fo con- 
 ftantly dependent upon, and appertaining to, an 
 impoverifhed ftate of the blood. 
 
 This diftinclion has been introduced, not more to 
 throw fome fatisfaftory light upon the ambiguity 
 of the exprelFion, which it feems fo few underftand, 
 than to prove the neceflity for paying fuch atten- 
 tion to the general ftate of a horse's health and 
 appearance, as may aileaft be the means of prevent- 
 ing difeafe, anxiety, trouble, expence, and probably 
 the eventual lofs of a ufeful, or even a valuable, 
 animal, which too often happens for w^ant of a little 
 humane circumfpedion ; when it is then experi- 
 mentally found REPENTANCE comcs too late. As 
 th^ fertile idea of humours frequently originates in 
 error, fo the error is continued in the medical mode 
 of counteraaion ; for let the derangement in the 
 animal economy have happened from whichever of 
 the caufes defcribed, the fyftem adopted is much 
 the fame in all cafes, and with all claffes, rendering 
 fometimes the remedy w^orfe than the difeafe. 
 Thofe, however, who wifli to blend inftruction 
 with entertainment, deriving advantage from both, 
 will do well to recoUeQ, that whatever disorders 
 (alias humours) originate in plethora, fulnefs of the • 
 frame, and vifciditv of the blood, mud be fubdued 
 
 by 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. AQS 
 
 by repeated slekdings, moderate purging, regular 
 exercife, a great deal of liable difcipline, (wilping, 
 leg-rubbing, Sec.) and, if neccflary, a concluding 
 courfe of mild diuretics. Diforders arifing fron^i 
 a weak and impoveriflied Hate of the blood laft de- 
 fcribed, mud be counterafted by an extra addition 
 of nutritive aliment, as maflies of ground malt and 
 bran nightly, as well as the ufual fupplies of corn 
 by day : an invigorating cordial ball daily fliould 
 alTift the intent; and a courfe of antimonial al- 
 teratives be laftly introduced, to give a new com- 
 plexion to the property of the blood. 
 
 HUMBLES.— The articles fo called are fome of 
 the internal trimmings obtained in breaking up a 
 DEER, which are always a perquifite of the keeper. 
 
 HUNTER.— A hunter, in its ftriaeft implied 
 fignification with the sporting world, is a horfc 
 or mare of fuperior defcription and qualifications, 
 appropriated to no other purpofe whatever than the 
 enjoyment of the chafe. As it is the higheft ambi- 
 tion of every sportsman to be in poflcffion of a 
 liUNTER, numbers are fo called, who are by no 
 means entitled to that diftinaion. Various opinions 
 are entertained refpeaing the more minute proper- 
 ties of a horfe deftined to the particular purpofes of 
 the field, and this diverfity can only be juftified hy 
 an allufion to the kind of hounds with whom he is 
 intended to hunt. Horfes of an inferior defcription, 
 ^ crofs 
 
496 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 crofs bred, and without a point of perfe8:ion, or 
 the property of fpeed, may be called hunters with 
 harriers ; but prove mere roadfters, when brought 
 into the field with either stag or fox. One third 
 of a century fince, moderate horfes were called 
 hunters; and thofe about half bred went tolerably 
 well up to moft hounds; but during the laft twenty 
 years, {o great has been the rage for improving 
 their fpeed, that in the prefent day, any horfe may 
 follow the hounds; but blood horses only can go 
 by the fide of them. 
 
 The horfes now denominated hunters, are 
 moftly three parts and full bred; for the great num- 
 ber of blood horfes not turning outv/iNNERs, as 
 well as thofe not trained for the turf, zomt of 
 courfe to the hunting ftables, and keep up a con- 
 ftant fupply. Under the head horse, three diflind 
 kinds are mentioned generally, and the purpofes to 
 which they are affigned; but no particular defcrip- 
 tionis made of a hunter, whofe qualifications are 
 properly referved for this place. A hunter for 
 conftant ufe with fleet hounds, ihould be well bred 
 on both fides; not lefs in age than five years old 
 off; from fifteen hands and an inch, to fifteen 
 three and fixteen hands, but not to exceed it : large 
 and heavy horfes, in deep or hilly countries, fre- 
 quently tire themfelves. To be handfome, he 
 fhould be flrong in the frame and formation, fliort 
 in the joints, firm in his fetlocks, quick in the eye, 
 o ' and 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 407, 
 
 and agile in a6tion. lie flio'ild have a light airy 
 head, wide nofhils, prominent lively eye, flight 
 curve in the creft, long in the neck, wide in the 
 bread, deep in the chell, high in the withers, 
 ilraight in the fpine, fliort in the back, round in 
 the barrel, full in the flank, (the lafl rib coming 
 well up to the point of the hip-bone,) his loins 
 wide, and rather circular than Hat ; the fammit of 
 the hind-quarters, between the fillets and the tail, 
 fhould nearly form one feclion of an oval ; the tail 
 lliould be high, and well fet on, in nearly a direct 
 line from the back, and not in a drooping degree 
 below the rump : there fliould be perceptible 
 ft length, uniformity and fubfiance in the thighs, 
 and a prominent mufcular fwell in the exterior of 
 the gafkins; a great length from the hip-bone to 
 the hock, fliort from thence to the fetlock, which 
 fhould be nearly round, and well united; the paf- 
 terns rather fliort than long ; fore-legs flraight, 
 and upright; hoofs, black, and of a flrong firm tex- 
 ture; great courage, good temper, and pliability 
 of difpofition. 
 
 . Thefe are the rules by which thoufands will ad- 
 mit a HUNTER fliould be chofen ; and they will alfo 
 as readily admit, the very great difficulty with 
 which horfes of fuch defcription are to be obtained. 
 However, as fuch an accumulation of perfeftions 
 is fo rarely to be found in the fame objecl, the moft 
 emulous and judicious will be the more anxious to 
 Vol. I. K k come 
 
3|9B SPORTING DICTIOxVARY. 
 
 come as near to fuch criterion as circumilances will 
 permit ; but as it is not to be expelled the young, 
 any more than the inexperienced, can retain the 
 minutiae of a defcription to which they have been 
 fo little accuilomed, as well as recollecting the 
 force EXAMPLE is faid to have beyond precept^ the 
 PORTRAIT of a HUNTER is introduccd, who, for all 
 the qualifications already defcribed, was repeatedly 
 in the field (with his Majesty's stag hounds) 
 honoured with the royal approbation. He was got 
 by Eclipfe^ dam by Blanks and poffefled every re- 
 quifite in the field to render himfelf an objeft of 
 liniverfal attraQion : after hunting two feafons, 
 and COVERING one, he was purchafed, and taken to 
 America as a stallion. 
 
 Having explicitly laid down the rules by which 
 a horfe Ihould be felcfted for the purpofe particu- 
 larly exprefied, fome farther hints become necef- 
 fary for his general management, if a wiih is en- 
 tertained to preferve him in a ftate of purity; for 
 it is well known, there cannot be a greater ftigma 
 annexed to the characler of a profelfed fportfman, 
 than his having a good horfe in had condition. The 
 next great. qualification to speed and temper in a 
 hunter, is the property of leaping, both Jlanding, 
 Siud flying ; without thofe (in an enclofed country) 
 his leading perfeBions are very much reduced in 
 the eflimation of the field: on the contrary, if he 
 is in the full and unrellrained poOeffion of thefe ad- 
 Q . ditional 
 
SPORTING DICTIOXARV. 4})9 
 
 ditional, and, indeed, indifpendble rcquifites to 
 conaplete and confirm his characler, a purchafer 
 may always be commanded at any price. One 
 great error is generally prevalent in teaching horl'es 
 to LEAP, by the young, petulant, and hafty, when 
 fi};/l they are brought to the bar, particularly in 
 and round the Metropolis, where an affiltant is fre- 
 quently Teen with a xohip to expedite what cannot 
 be proceeded upon with too much kindnefs and 
 circumfpeBion. Young horfes driven to a bar with 
 a whip, and once alarmed^ are fometimes prevented 
 from becoming good (landing leapers during their 
 exigence. Inllances are very rare of w^ell-bred 
 horfes being bad flying leapers, particularly with 
 hounds; few, if any ^ have ever been feen willing 
 to flay behind when the pack were before them ; 
 they of courfe require no other inftruQions, than 
 "what the experience of the field affords them. When 
 horfes are intended for the held, they ihould be 
 brought and accuftomed to the bar, previous to 
 their being put upon their mettle, and flurried with 
 hounds ; when there, the bar fliould never be iefs 
 than three feet from the ground ; if lower, it only 
 induces the horfe to attempt it with one foot, as if 
 to walk or fcramble over it; and this is a bad habit 
 to acquire: he fnould never be permitted to make 
 an effort, till taught to relt entirely upon his 
 haunches, and to raife flowly and gradually both 
 his feet before at the fame moment. 
 
 K k 2 • Nothing 
 
500 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 Nothing can be more contemptibly ridiculous, 
 than the abfurd practice of clothing the bar with 
 h'JJies of furze ; and this is generally introduced, 
 under the plaufible pretence of making the horfe 
 clear his leap ; although it is a faft, that almoft 
 every horfe is terrified in approaching it; and when 
 compelled to take it, or is rather driven over^ it is 
 in a JUMP o^ fear and agitation; not in a cool, 
 temperate, and fteady leap of fafety, fit to qualify 
 a HUNTER for the field. A horfe can only be 
 made a good ftanding leaper, by affording him am- 
 ple time to meafure his leap before he attempts it ; 
 that is, to obferve its height, and take the fpace 
 necefTary for the bend of his knees, the contraQion 
 of his legs, and his own altitude to cover the leap 
 with certainty ; and this a well-taught horie, of to- 
 lerable temper, will generally do, if permitted to 
 adopt his own plan, and ufe his own exertions: 
 but if unnaturally hurried by the petulance, im- 
 patience, or inhumanity, of thofe about him, 
 failure, injury^ and difgrace* frequently enfue. 
 The proper covering for a leaping-bar fhould 
 either be fern, or clean wheat ftraw, well fecured 
 bv a ftrong packthread, bound tranfverfely and 
 longitudinally in a kind of net-work, (bracing 
 equally every way,) which is not only exceedingly 
 durable, but being compofed of articles to which 
 the horfe is fo accuftomed, he naturally approaches 
 it, if gently ufed, and patiently encouraged, with- 
 out the leafl fear or agitation. 
 
 6 The 
 
SPORTING DICTIO.N'.vRV. 501 
 
 The proper ftable clifciplinc, and geneml ma- 
 nagenient, of hunters, arc fo perfectly underltood 
 in the prefent Hate of equellrian emulation, and 
 univerfal improvement, that a few experimental 
 maxims only are required, as mementos to fliield 
 the young, inconfiderate, and unwary, from un- 
 thinkingly encountering various foundations of 
 vexation, trouble, expencc, and difappointment. 
 I'hofe of immenle fortunes, and adequate eftablilh- 
 ments, are not fo liable to this aggregate of ills, as 
 thofe whofe more humble and confined pofl'efiions 
 reflrain them within a miuch fmaller fphere of gra- 
 tification. To the latter, therefore, it is, fuch 
 hints of utility are more particularly addreffed and 
 fubmitted, who not having the good fortune to be 
 furrounded with a profulion of fubordinates, by 
 whom fuch offices are generally executed, feel the 
 neccITity, and enjoy the happy opportunity, of 
 fometim.es perfonally fuperintending their own con- 
 cerns. 1 he great exertions in refpecl to fpeed, la- 
 bour, and durability, of which the well-bred hunter 
 is fo evidently capable, are almoft beyond belief; 
 and eminently entitle him to every adequate tcnder- 
 nefs, care, and attention, that can be poITibiy be- 
 ftowed in return. When it is within the compafs 
 of the reflefting mind, that an animal of this dcfcrip- 
 tion is frequently m.oft laborioully engaged for the 
 whole of a dreary winter's day, encountering and 
 furmounting difficulties in fucceiTion almoli beyond 
 defcription, (till in many inftances nature is nearly 
 
 K k 3 exhauiled,} 
 
502 SPORTING DICTIONARY, 
 
 exhauded,) no doubt can arife, but the frame muft 
 fometimes (land in need of extra affiftance upon 
 fuch occafions. 
 
 Of this greater proof need not be adduced, than 
 the deaths of horfes which have recently happened, 
 (particularly with the King's (tag hounds,) fome in 
 the field, and many within a few days after dirferent 
 chafes of fmgular feverity; one inftance of which 
 is fo truly remarkable, that it lays claim to record 
 in the annals of fporting, to prevent its being buried 
 in oblivion. The deer v/as turned out at Ascot 
 Heath, and, after making Bagshot Park, crolfed 
 the Vs'hole of the heath country, to Sandhurft, 
 through Finchamftead Woods, Barkham, Arbor- 
 field, Swallowfield, and the intervening country, 
 to Tilehurft, below Reading in Berkfliire, where 
 he was taken unhurt after a chafe of four hours 
 and twenty minutes; horfemen being thrown out 
 in every part of the country through which they 
 paffed : one horfe dropt dead in the field; another, 
 after the chafe, before he could reach a liable; 
 and [even more within the week: of fuch fpeed, 
 and almoft unprecedented feverity, was this run, 
 that tired horfes in great danger were unavoidably 
 left at the different inns in the neighbourhood. A 
 tolerable idea of the powers of an Englifh hunter 
 may, from this defcription, be formed by thofe 
 who are not fportfnien, and have confequently a 
 very imperfe6l conception of the tafk he has to per- 
 form ; 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 503 
 
 form; of which incredulity Mons. Sainbel, pro- 
 feffor of the Veterinary College, gave fufficient 
 proof, treating the fubje6l with the utmoft indif- 
 ference, very little fliort of contempt; declaring, 
 '' it was all chimerical^ and that no horfc could be 
 found to continue a chafe of that Xdndfour hours in 
 fticceffion." 
 
 That fuch exertions may be continued till nature 
 itfelf is totally exhaufted, muil be admitted beyond 
 a doubt; but that they in general happen to horfes 
 by much too flow for the chase, and to thofe in 
 improper condition^ is as clearly afcertained. The 
 refult of which fa6ls clearly demonftrate the truth of 
 obfervations previoufly made, and forcibly incul- 
 cate the indifpenfible neceffity of fele8;ing horfes 
 properly formed for the purpofe ; and as forcibly 
 urge the propriety (indeed the fafcty) of getting 
 them into condition for the held. When taken up 
 from his fummer's run at grafs (which every perfeft 
 hunter is entitled to) he fliould go through his re- 
 gular courfe of phyfic; the itrength and number of 
 doFes to be regulated by the accumulated llefn, and 
 general appearance of the horfe: if in a fair, good, 
 clean ftate, not loaded in fubftance, and perfedly 
 clean in the flcin, more than two dofes may be fu- 
 perfiuous; if labouring under a weight of flefli, 
 flabby, and fluciuating under preffure, lefs than 
 three will prove infafficient ; which (liould be pre- 
 ceded by BLEEDING in either^ according to the ftate 
 K k 4 of 
 
504- SPORTING DlCriONARY. 
 
 of the horfe. During the operation of phvfiC, the 
 fubje8: fliould undergo moderate exercife, and 
 great friction in the ftable; both which tend to re- 
 move and circulate the Itagnant fluids, that they 
 may be carried off by the evacuations. Great, re- 
 gular and patient leg-rubbing is not only abfolutely 
 neceffary at all times, but more particularly during 
 phyfic ; it braces the folids, and prefcrves them in 
 a proper flate of elafticity ; for want of which, they 
 frequently acquire a degree of flaccidity; the legs 
 fwell, and, if brought into work too foon^ continue 
 in that Rate, more or Icjs^ during the feafan. 
 
 After the chafe (during the drefling in the ftable) 
 obfervation Ihould be made whether injury of any 
 kind has been fuftained during the day ; either by 
 the heat and friction or preffure of the faddle, the- 
 lofs of a fhoe, flubs, treads, over-reaches, bruifes, 
 or lamenefs of any kind ; for any of thefe once 
 difcovered, the neceffary remedy ftiould be imme- 
 diately applied; as it not unfrequently happens, 
 that what in the firfl inftance would only prove a 
 flight or trivial grievance, continues to increafe in 
 proportion to the delay in difcovery. Horfes evi- 
 dently diftreft and fatigued with the labour of the 
 day, difplaying laffitude, bodily debility, and lofs 
 of appetite, fliould be nicely attended to ; a cordial 
 ball becomes more applicable and ufeful at this 
 time than any other ; frequent fupplies of water, 
 with the chill off,. in moderate quantities, fliould 
 
 never 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY, 505 
 
 never be neglefted; every borfc is invariably tbirfty 
 after a hard day ; and many vill take repeated fup- 
 plies of water, and plenty of bay, wben tbey will 
 eat no corn ; in wbich cafe, a good warm mafh, of 
 GROUND MALT and BRAN, is ail excellent invi- 
 gorating fabftitute, and in many of tbe beft ma- 
 naged cilablifiiments is never omitted (particularly 
 witb tender, delicate, or violent tempered borfcs) 
 after a long or rainy day, as a preventive to cold, 
 as well as to disease. 
 
 Hunters, after long and feverc chafes, fbould 
 not be brought too foon into fimilar exertions; 
 numbers are crippled, broke down, and irreco- 
 verably ruined, for want of a little precautionary 
 patience : brought into the field too early, with a 
 ftiiF rigidity in the limbs, and without the wonted 
 pliability in the joints, the fpirits, as v/ell as the 
 frame, become affected by a confcioufncfs of the 
 deficiency; and the rider, upon making the difco- 
 very, moves in little lefs mifery than the horse, 
 who, feeling his temporary imperfection, feems in 
 fear of falling at every ftroke. A horfe is beft re- 
 covered from the viiible effect of over fatigue, by a 
 great deal of patient walking, exercife upon the 
 turf, and equally patient friction in the ftable: no 
 horfe perceptibly affeded in frame or spirits, by 
 long days or fevere chafes, fliould be brought into 
 exercife gallops, till every degree o^ Jiiffnefs is 
 prcvioufly \vorn away, and obliterated in gentle 
 
 motion. 
 
50G SPORTING iJiCTIONARY. 
 
 mbtion, of which they are the fiiTt to make difco- 
 very, by a renovation of flrength and atiion. It is 
 in many hunting ftables an invariable practice, 
 upon the appearance of lameness, to bleed and 
 follow up that with a dofe of phyfic, exclufive of 
 whatever local applications it may be thought ne- 
 ceffary to make to the part affe6led; and this, it 
 mud be acknowledged, is very frequently attended 
 with the moil falutary eiTecls : naturally, however, 
 leading the mind of fcicntific inveftigation to be- 
 lieve, much of the advantage may be derived from 
 the REST obtained during the caurfe, as from the 
 operation of the medicine. 
 
 HUNTING, — in its general kn^e, implies the 
 pleafure of the sport at large, without fpccifying' 
 any particular kind of chase; of which there are 
 three, and equally well known under the different 
 diftinclions of stag-hunting, fox-hunting, and 
 iiARE-HUNTiNG. A minor kind of fport, called 
 OTTER HUNTING, might formerly have been faid to 
 conftitute a fourth; but it is at prefent fo little 
 known, (and much \q{s pra61ifed,) that, like hawk- 
 ing, it feems nearly buried in oblivion, and pro- 
 mifes very little profpecl of fporting refurreftion. 
 
 Hunting is the puvfuit of any fpecies of game 
 (or vermin) with a collected body of hounds, 
 Iportingly t:rmed a paCxK.; who, bred for, and broke 
 to, the chafe, find and hunt the particular fort to 
 
 Vv'hich 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 307 
 
 vhich they are appropriated by /cent, drag^ or trail^ 
 till it efcapes by the arts, wiles, and sagacity, 
 with which it is gifted by nature; or, being ex- 
 haufted, falls a viElim to the perfevering patience, 
 indefatigable exertions, and inftinclive impulfe, of 
 the HOUNDS. This fport, in its different degrees, 
 is of very great antiquity, and has been enjoyed, 
 through fucceffive centuries, with gradational im- 
 provements; but at no former period has it ever 
 approached its prefent zenith of unparalleled per- 
 feclion. Some few reigns paft, the enjoyment w^as 
 coniidered fo truly extatic, that it was engrofTed 
 entirely by the nobles and fuperior orders, to the 
 entire excluiion of the people at large, who w^ere 
 then fo much in a ftate of valTalage, as to be held 
 unworthy the participation of fo rich a gratification, 
 under the moft rigid profcription that legiflative and 
 feudal laws could frame, or unqualified tyranny 
 adopt. Not fo in the happy melioration of the 
 prefent age, when every blefTing, every privilege, 
 and every comfort of life, is equally enjoyed from 
 the highest to the lowejl^ according to the poffef- 
 fions of every individual; under fuch neceffary and 
 indifpenfible rcftriclions, as it may have been 
 found, by the Legiflature, prudent to adopt, for 
 the prefervation of orjder, and promotion of 
 
 PUBLIC GOOD. 
 
 Nothing can more clearly demonflrate the 
 attraQing power, and exhilirating effefts, of the 
 
 CHASEj 
 
508 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 CHASE, than the enthufiaftic rapture with which it 
 is enjoyed, and the conftanti)^ increafmg number 
 of its implicit devotees. Cynical opponents will 
 always continue to be generated, inveterately averfe 
 to every pleafure, however fublime or felec^, that 
 is not immediately congenial to their own fenfa- 
 tions; and will w^th avidity declare perpetual war 
 againft any gratification, or enjoyment, in which 
 they are not eventually intereflcd, or perfonally 
 concerned. The bewildered politician, wdio er- 
 roneoudy fufpends the balance of power in his own 
 difordered imagination; the pedantic book-worm, 
 who derives felf-confequence from his clofet; the 
 i^iiSER, who wraps himfelf up in the [Glitary confo- 
 lation of his canvas comforts; and thofe prigs of 
 pippyifvi (by Shakespeare better denominated 
 " poppinjays'' ) who exift only in their own perfonal 
 ambition, and the reflection from the filvered glafs, 
 naturally decry pleafures, in which, from the innate 
 fterility, and inflinftive apathy, of their own 
 fouls, they feel no difpofition to engage. Lovers 
 of the chase, who, for tim.e immemorial, have 
 been better known and diltinguiflied by the appel- 
 lation of sportsmen, are almoft proverbial for 
 their mutual ofRces of civility and friendfliip; no 
 clafs of men enter more into the opennefs and 
 glowing w^armth of unfufpefting fociety, the genial 
 infpiration of philanthropy, and the infinite in- 
 exprcfliblc extent of unfuUicd hospitality. 
 
 Hunting 
 
SPORTING DICTIOXARY. 509 
 
 Hunting, in rcfpccl to the enjoyment, as well 
 as the defcription of each particular kind of chase, 
 will be found under their dillind heads of " Hare- 
 Hunting," " Fox-HuNTiNG," and " Stag- 
 Hunting;" leaving nothing for introduftion here, 
 but fuch general remarks, and falutary inculca- 
 tions, as appertain folcly to the fyftematic concerns 
 of the field. The prudent fportfman is invariably 
 the guardian of his own fafety; for, however he 
 may rely upon the attachment and punctuality of 
 an old or faithful fervant, he never declines the 
 fervice of his own faculties, fo long as he can de- 
 rive advantage from their evident utility. He 
 therefore never mounts his horfe, however great his 
 hafte, however late his hour, without taking a flight 
 (but fufficient) furvey of his apparatus : he feels it 
 a duty to himfelf to obferve, and be convinced, 
 that his SADDLE is not fixed in an improper place, 
 but literally in the centre, equally free from the 
 withers as from the hip-bones ; that his girths are 
 not only judicioufly tightened^ but that the buckles 
 extend on each fide above the pad, as well as that 
 the STIRRUP-LEATHERS are in too good a flate to 
 hazard a chance of their breaking ; whenever which 
 happens, in the very heat of the chase, great dan- 
 ger (if not an accident) certainly enfues. 
 
 Thus fafely feated, in the full confidence of his 
 own prudent precaution, he never fuifers himfelf, 
 by the perfuafions of the weak or inconfiderate, to 
 
 be 
 
510 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 be diverted from his invariable purpofe of proceed- 
 ing SLOWLY to the place of meeting, or throwing 
 off the hounds; he well knows, not only the 
 manly propriety, but the fporting neceffity, of 
 letting a horfe unload the carcafe before he is 
 brought into briflc a6lion or firong exertion. Upon 
 joining company in the field, he enters into little 
 or no converfation beyond the friendly falutations 
 of the morning; experimentally knowing, the frivo- 
 lihes fported upon fuch occafions, by the young, 
 the confident, and the inexperienced, are only cal- 
 culated to excite thejiknt curfes of the huntsman, 
 and the contempt of the company, by attra61ing the 
 attention of the hounds. The judicious fportfman, 
 \vhether the hounds are drawing or running, is 
 never feen in a place to incur difgrace, by heading 
 the GAME, or obJl7'-uciing the hounds; it is a bufi- 
 nefs in which he is a proficient, and he is never at 
 a lofs in the execution. From an inftinftive at- 
 tachment to the fport, and an implicit obfervance 
 of cuftom, he is totally infenfible to the lefs atten- 
 tive part of the company, but '' tremblingly alive" 
 to every tongue of a hound. Not a zuhimper, a 
 challenge, or /?z7, but vibrates upon his anxious 
 ear; and his whole foul feems abforbed in the 
 eager hope of tranfmitting the enlivening fignal 
 of A VIEW to his diftant friends, in equal ex- 
 pe6lation. 
 
 The 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. olf 
 
 The CHASE thus commenced, he lays as well in 
 with the hounds as the fpeed of his hoiTe, and the 
 contingencies of the country, will permit; he (lands 
 upon no paltry ceremony with, or fervile fubfer- 
 vience to, local fuperiors ; this alone is the happy 
 fpot where all are equal, where perfonal pride can 
 afi'ume no confequence, dignity can claim no pre- 
 cedence, and an immcnhty of property is of no 
 avail. Ever attentive to the fport, he ruminates 
 upon no other objetl than the obje6l of purfuit : 
 his mind is eternally intent upon the game, or the 
 leading hound; the latter of which he makes it a 
 point never to lofe fight of^ unlefs by covert ob- 
 fcured from his view ; when, with the advantage of 
 the WIND, (which he is fure to avail himfelf of,) 
 and that unerring directory the ear, he is feldo7W 
 far from the hounds, or ever thrown out. In everv 
 chafe there are plenty of flow goers behind, who, 
 prompted by envy, are never wanting in the voci- 
 ferous exclamation of, '• Hold hard !" without 
 knowing why; and from no other motive, than not 
 being themfelves at the head of the hounds, l"o 
 thefe clamours he pays not the lead attention, if 
 having viewed either the game, or the kadi-ng 
 hound, and obferved the chafe going on without 
 interruption; experimentally convinced, thole who 
 2iXt iht iVxoii for XV ard^ mult bell know the date of 
 the SCENT by the cheeky or breaft-high running of 
 the hounds. 
 
 As 
 
jl'Z SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 As there is fo frequently a jealous clamour about 
 being too Jorioard^ the zealous fportfman will never 
 condefcend to be too far behind. He knows his 
 place, and he keeps it. He is never feen in the 
 body and hnjilc of the crowds riding in a direct line 
 with, and prefling upon, the heels of the hounds, 
 but parallel with the laft two or thret couple of the 
 pack; where his horfe is not only enabled to keep 
 his ground with eafe, but the rider enjoys the ad- 
 vantage of obferving moll minutely every winding 
 of the chafe, as wxll as the various druggies, and 
 enchanting emulative efforts, of the leading 
 HOUNDS. In this fituation he is fare of feeing 
 where they throw up^ and knows to a certainty how 
 far they have carried the scent; confequently thofe 
 only who are forward, and know the ilate of the 
 chafe, are properly qualified to give the fignal of 
 ^' Hold hard P' to thofe behind; and not, as is too 
 commonly the cafe, for thofe behind to tranfmit 
 the petulant exclamation to thofe before. The 
 moment hounds are at fault, he invariably keeps a 
 proper diftance, that they may not be obftrufted in 
 making their cajls, or get interfpcrfed amongfl the 
 legs of the horses. Upon a hit being made, he at- 
 tends to the hound who made it, and, upon a re- 
 covery of the SCENT, goes inftantaneoufly on with 
 the chafe ; for a lofs of ground at fo critical a 
 moment, he well knows it is fometimcs difficult to 
 
 regain. 
 
 Notwitliflandincr 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 5\J 
 
 Notwithflanding his cnthufiaflic attachment to 
 
 the fport, the saiety of his horse preponderates 
 
 over every other conhdcration ; and this inflexible 
 
 determination is fiipported by a few invariable 
 
 rules, which are never broken in upon under any 
 
 plea, pcrfuafion, or perverfion, whatever. No 
 
 temptation can induce him to deviate from a plan 
 
 fo prudently adopted, and perfevered in with fuch 
 
 laudable refolution. He is never feen to enter 
 
 into the fpirU of racing during the chase, thereby 
 
 diftreffing his horfe, and wafting the ftrength that 
 
 may be found neceffary before the conclufion of a 
 
 long day : he fcorns the idea of taking high or large 
 
 leaps when they are truly unneceflary, merely to 
 
 attra8: attention, or difpiay his own valour, well 
 
 knowing, " the better part of valour is difcretion." 
 
 He regulates the fpeed of his horfe by the nature 
 
 of the country he is engaged to go over, and 
 
 is never known to ride hardejl in the deepejl ground. 
 
 Experience, and attentive obfervation, having long 
 
 before convinced him, that whatever diftance may 
 
 have been unavoidably loft under temporary obfta- 
 
 cles, may with lefs difficulty be recovered when the 
 
 horfe's wind (as well as his ftrength) is preferved, 
 
 till he can go more at his eafe. Whatever may 
 
 have been the fate of the day, and whatever the 
 
 length of the chase, it is no fooner concluded, 
 
 than the fame fteady and cool deliberation with 
 
 which he ftarted in the morning accompanies him 
 
 home; no rafli or juvenile example induces him to 
 
 Vol. I. L 1 reduce 
 
^l^ SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 reduce the eftiination of his hunter to the ftandard 
 of a pojl-horfe ; fuperior to the inftability, and im- 
 patient impetuofity, of the majority, he neither 
 trots with oncy or gallops with the other; but, 
 regardlefs of the diltance, humanely walks his 
 horfe to the place of his deftination, where he fees, 
 or knows^ he undergoes the attentive comforts fo 
 fully defcribed under the laft head. 
 
 HUNTING-CAP—- is a cap made of leather, 
 and covered with black velvet, fitting clofe to the 
 head behind, and having a femicircular peak before, 
 for the proteftion of the face in cafe of falls, as 
 veil as in paffing through ftrong coverts during the 
 chafe. In the fporting world it is termed a dasher, 
 and is fuppofed to confirm a generally received opi- 
 nion, that the wearer never fwerves from any diffi« 
 culty that may occur, or refufes any leap in the 
 field, but takes them all in Jlrokc, 
 
 HUNTING-WHIP.— The whip fo called, is 
 of different lengths in the handle or liock; having 
 at one end a long thong and laili, to alTift occa- 
 fionally in managing the hounds ; and at the other, 
 a HOOK, hammer, or claw, for the purpofe of 
 holding or opening gates. 
 
 HUNTSMAN. — The huntfman is a perfon 
 w^hofe entire bufincfs it is to fuperintend every de- 
 partment of a hunting ellablifhmcnt, as well as to 
 
 hunt 
 
SPORTING DICTIOXARV. ,515 
 
 hunt the hounds. As it is an office of confidcrablc 
 trud and refponfibility, To it requires no inconfi- 
 derable fhare of thofe qualifications which conftitute 
 fome part of the approach to human perfedion. It 
 is indifpenCMy neceffary he fhould be pofTefTed of 
 a comprehenfive mind, a clear head, and humane 
 heart; of affable and eafy manners; not prone to 
 peevifh petulance, or rude brutality. He fliould 
 be of confiftent fobriety, ready obfervation, quick 
 conception, great perfonal fortitude, patience, and 
 aaivity; have a good conftitution, an excellent 
 ear, and a fonorous voice. As, however, it may 
 not be inapplicable to have the neceCTary qualifi- 
 cations more forcibly depiaed from the very 
 words of the befl experimental authority extant, 
 the opinion of Mr. Beckford is literally intro- 
 duced, who fays, 
 
 " I will endeavour to defcribe what a good 
 huntfman fliould be. He fhould be young, firong, 
 aaive, bold, and enterprifing; fond of the divert 
 fion, and indefatigable in the purfuit of it : he 
 fliould be fenfible and good-tempered: he ought 
 alfo to be fober, exaa, civil, and cleanly: he 
 fliould be a good groom, and an excellent horfe- 
 man ; his voice fhould be flrong and clear; and he 
 fhould have an eye fo quick, as to perceive which 
 of his hounds carries the fcent when all are running; 
 and fliould have fo excellent an ear, as always to 
 diainguifh the foremoft hounds when he does not 
 ^- i 2 fee 
 
516' SPORTING DiCIlONARV, 
 
 fee them. He fliould be quiet, patient, and v/ith- 
 out conceit. Such are the excellencies which con- 
 ftitute a good huntfman. He fliould not, however, 
 be too fond of difplaying them, till neceffity calls 
 them forth. He fliould let his hounds alone, 
 whilft they can hunt ; and he fliould have genius to 
 aflilt them, xvhen they cannoti' 
 
 Although the qualifications of a huntsman, uport 
 the great fcale of univerfality, fhould be precifely 
 the fame, yet there is an infinite contrafl: in the va- 
 rious points of execution. No diftind difference 
 of light and JJiade upon the canvas, no effeft of 
 the ELEMENTS upou the human frame ^ can be pro- 
 ductive of more oppofite fenfations, than the requi- 
 fites neceflTary to form a proper diflinftion between 
 the modes of hunting hare or fox; for the very 
 means calculated for the fuccefsful promotion of the 
 one, would in a few minutes prove the evident de- 
 ftruQion of the other : from which it is natural to 
 infer, that a huntfman eminently qualified to hunt 
 cither^ would never be likely to acquire celebrity 
 for hunting both; for as the accultomed fpirit, 
 fpeed, and dafliing impetuofity, of the fox-hunter 
 w^ould foon lofe a hare, fo the philofophic pa- 
 tience, and conflitutional tardinefs, of the hare- 
 hunter would never kill a fox. 
 
 Of this, corroborative proof may be adduced in 
 a fubfequent paflTage from the before-mentioned 
 
 AUTHORj 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 517 
 
 AUTHOR, where he obfcrves, " It may be necclTary 
 lo unfay, now that I am turned harc-hiintcr again, 
 many things I have been faying as a fox-hunter ; 
 as I hardly know any two things of the fame genus 
 (if I may be allou^ed the exprefTion) that differ fo 
 entirely. What I faid, in a former letter, about 
 the huntfman and whipper-in, is in the number. 
 As to the huntfman, he fliould not be young; I 
 fliould moll certainly prefer one, as the French 
 call it, cVuiie certain age^ as he is to be quiet and 
 patient: for patience he fliould be a very grizzle; 
 and the more quiet he is, the better. He fliould 
 have infinite pcrfeverance ; for a hare fliould never 
 be given up whilft it is poffible to hunt her ; flie is 
 fure to fliop, and therefore may always be reco- 
 vered. Were it ufual to attend to the breed of 
 our huntfmen, as well as to that of our hounds, I 
 know no family that would furnifli a better crofs 
 than that of the Jilent gentleman mentioned by the 
 Spe6lator : a female of his line, crofled. with a 
 knowing huntfman, w^ould probably produce a per- 
 feSh hare-hunter," 
 
 lihft fcent of the stag, the fox, and the hare, is 
 fo exceedingly different in the duration of each^ 
 that it requires a method as proportionally different 
 in the purfuit of either ; all which is practically 
 known to huntfmen, who have no alternative, but 
 to render their endeavours applicable to the kind of 
 chafe they are defl;ined to purfue. The fceht of 
 I. 1 3 . the 
 
5IS bPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 the FOX is well known to be the moll powerful, as 
 well as the mod volatile^ of any; the fcent of the 
 STAG is equally grateful to hounds, but is known to 
 evaporate fooner than the fcent of the hare. In 
 the two firft, clamorous exultation upon view^ is 
 more cuflomary, and more to be juftified, than in 
 the latter. Stag or yox breaks away with the moft 
 undaunted fortitude, feeking fafety in a rapidity of 
 flight to even a diftant and unknown country; in 
 both which the hounds cannot be too fleet; nor can 
 they be laid on too clofe to the game; both deer and 
 fox run the better for it. Not fo with the latter; 
 where a general filence fhould prevail, and the 
 induftrious endeavours of the pack fhould never be 
 obftruQed by the bufy tongues of officious ob- 
 truders; and upon this well-founded pofition, if 
 they receive no alTiftance, they encounter no in^ 
 terruption. Harriers (as well as their huntfman) 
 {liquid never be permitted to hunt fox : the ftrong 
 fcent which he leaves, the difference of his running, 
 the indefcribable eagernefs and noife of the purfuit, 
 all contribute to fpoil a harrier, and render no fer- 
 vice to the huntfmaq when they return to hare 
 again. It is a very prevalent error of the prefent 
 time, to have bred and croffed harriers to too much 
 fpeed: the hare is but a mere inoffenfive, timid ani- 
 mal, and fully entitled to all the little artifices fhe 
 <:an ^vail herfelf of to fhield her froni deftruftion. 
 
 When 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. S\9 
 
 When found, (lie cannot be permitted to go off 
 too filently before the hounds ; her own extreme 
 timidity frequently occafions her headings and the 
 pack are as repeatedly liable to over-run the fcent^ 
 The huntfman, by not prefTing too clofe upon the 
 hounds himfelj^ will keep the company at a proper 
 diftance alfo ; and when they are thiis left to a pro- 
 per and free ufe of their own faculties, they are 
 but little likely to over-run it much. The author 
 whofe judgment and celebrity has been fo fre- 
 quently mentioned, has fomething fo applicable,^ 
 and fo truly juft, in every page upon this fubjcct. 
 that it is impoffible to refift the temptation of 
 quoting a few occafional paffages, where the inteii- 
 lional meaning is fo emphatically and fportingly 
 expreft. He not only accords with every fyftematic 
 principle of the chafe, but fo conftantly ftrengthens 
 his opinion with the embellifhment of applicable 
 anecdote, that it is impoffible to perufe his 
 *' Thoughts" without both amufement and in- 
 ftruBion. He holds it a rule, " that hounds^ 
 through the whole chafe, (hould be left almoft en- 
 tirely to themfelves, and not be much hallooed: 
 when the hare doubles, they fhould hunt through 
 thofe doubles; nor is a hare hunted fairly when 
 hunted otherwife. They fhould follow her every 
 flep {he takes, as well over greafy fallows, as 
 through flocks of flieep; nor fhould they ever be 
 caft, but when nothing can be done without it." 
 
 L 1 4 
 
59.0 SPORTING DICTlOxVARY. 
 
 Making every poflible allowance for the divernties 
 of the diflFerent chafes ah^eady alluded to, there are 
 leading rules charaQeriftically annexed to the oFFi-t 
 
 CIAL DEPARTMENT of the HUNTSMAN, frOHl whlch 
 
 hardly any pofTible circumftance can juftify a devia- 
 tion. In addition to the invariable and indifpen- 
 fible duties of the kennel, a ftricl and regular difci- 
 pline in the ftables (fo far as his own and the horfes 
 of the whippers-in are concerned) fliould fall under 
 the eye of his infpeftion; by well knowing the 
 ftate of which, he bed can tell of what work they 
 are capable. And this is the more necefl'ary, be^ 
 caufe it is impoffible for him to relax from his duly 
 m the Ji eld: he is the general officer, having the 
 fupreme command, and whom all muft obey. Per-^ 
 fevere and conquer, fliould be his motto in the 
 chafe. Veni, viDi, vici, at his return. This, 
 however, becomes more applicable to the fpirit of 
 the huntfman whofe good fortune it is to prefide 
 over a fox-hunting eftablifhment, where every 
 energetic nerve of emulative fenfibility is fo con^ 
 ftantly roufed into a6lion. How different from the 
 languid enjoyment, and frigid apathy, of what is 
 fo admirably adapted to the oppofite extremes of 
 youth and age ! upon which no two opinions can 
 arife : the befl authorities admit the good find of a 
 POX to be preferable to a bad 7'un with the hare. 
 
 From the moment of throwing off, as well as 
 during every progrefs of the chafe, it is the peculiar 
 
 province 
 
SPORTING DICTIONARY. 521 
 
 province of the huntsman to be at the head of the 
 hounds; once convinced of the abilities of his 
 fubordinates, he has nothing to do with what is 
 going on behind. The place he fliould endeavour 
 to keep, when circumftanccs and unavoidable ob- 
 ftacles do not occur to prevent it, is parallel with 
 the leading body of the hounds; in which com- 
 manding fituation he has unobftruBed opportunity 
 to obferve what hounds carry the fcent; and if it 
 fails, to know to a certainty how far they brought 
 it : as well as ample fcope for the exertion of his 
 proper authority, to prevent the horfemen prefTfng 
 too eagerly upon the hounds (at a moment fo truly 
 critical) by the emphatic injunction of " Hold 
 hard /" a fignal that never can come with fo much 
 propriety from any other voice as his own, nor 
 will it be fo implicitly obeyed. A huntfman is na- 
 turally anxious to obtain bloody not only to fupport 
 the reputation but the excellence of his hounds ; 
 he fhould, however, avoid killing his game unfairly^ 
 by lifting his hounds too much, or taking them from 
 CHASE to view^ which is a moft cruel, unfeeling, 
 and unfportfman-Iike pradice. If the hounds 
 cannot kill by fair and equitable efforts, the objetl 
 of purfuit is juftly entitled to its efcape. 
 
 As in hare-hunting it is impoffible to prefs on the 
 hounds too little, fo in fox-hunting it is impoffible 
 to prefs them on too much, at leaft while the fcent 
 is good; that failing, much muil be left to their 
 
 own 
 
S^2 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 own induflrious endeavours; thofe not foon fuc 
 ceeding, the proper cafts fhould be made with 
 judgment, and that without delay. Five minutes 
 lofl in hefitation, frequently lofes every promifed 
 pleafure of the day. It is proverbially aflerted, 
 that in a multitude of counfellors there is fafety; 
 this is the very moment that proves an exception to 
 the rule; for, amidft the variety of obtruded opi- 
 nions, a huntfman fhould think before he acts; 
 and once determined, abide by his own liability, 
 resardlefs of the frivolities with which he is fo fre- 
 quently furrounded. If courage is thought a ne- 
 ceiTary qualification in a huntfman, philofophic pa* 
 tience, upon many occafions, is much more fo; 
 for, whilfl he fees a number of experienced fportf- 
 men in the field ready to affift his own judicious 
 exertions, he has the mortification to obferve dou- 
 ble the number moving in a retrograde direQion, 
 doing every thing but the thing they fliould do; 
 riding directly where they fhould not; probably 
 heading the ga7ne into covert, at the very moment 
 they ought to be flanding flill " as filent as the 
 grave." A proper degree of modefty, blended 
 with a little good fenfe and reflexion, w'ould foon 
 prevent thofe confident inconfiderates from fuch 
 glaring and abfurd a6ls of indifcretion. It is a 
 maxim refulting from obfervation in the chafe, 
 that thofe w^ho do not feem anxious, and take 
 pains, to do good^ are, as it were, habitually un- 
 fortunate in doing the very reverfe, and becoming 
 2 (perhaps 
 
SPORTING DICTIOMARY. 523 
 
 (perhaps undefrgnedly) the almoft perpetual inflru- 
 ments of mifchief ; and to this tribe of mi/named 
 fportfmen, a huntfman has in general the moft un- 
 qualified averfion ; convinced that thofe who mean 
 to render him fervice, and prolong the fport, know 
 in what particular place they ought to be upon every 
 emergency; and if they are repeatedly elfewhere, 
 to where they fliould be, he foon knows how to 
 eftimate their judgment in the field, and ability in 
 the chafe. 
 
 The inftant a huntfman obferves his hounds come 
 to a check, is the moment when his afliflance is 
 moft wanting; then is the time to enjoin an equal 
 check and filence of the company ; every eye and 
 every ear may be anxioufly and inquifitively em- 
 ployed, but not the found of a tongue is necelfary 
 upon the occafion. Thofe who are inclined to 
 iabble in a moment of fo much doubtful expefta- 
 ^ion, lay claim to, and generally obtain, a moft 
 contemptuous fneer ^xoxiWhQ huntsman, and not un- 
 frequently what is called a blejing into the bargain. 
 He fhould at no time be too ready to avail himfelf 
 of a HALLOO when hounds are 2X fault ; they are 
 very often deceptive, and occafion difappoint- 
 ment; exclufive of which, after they have been 
 taken from the fpot to which they know they 
 brought the fcent, they become lefs ftrenuous 
 in their endeavours, when they do not reco- 
 ver it elfewhere, even where they were encouraged 
 
 to 
 
524 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 to expe8: it. Boys keq)ing birds, as well as nifties, 
 from fympathetic enjoyment, frequently lead the 
 huntfman from his point, Mr. Beckford is there- 
 fore of opinion, that when a doubt arifes, it is 
 better for a whipper-in, or one of the company, 
 to ride forward, and inquire ; it is only the lofs of 
 a little time; whereas if you gallop away to a 
 halloo^ and are obliged to return, the hounds be- 
 come very indifferent, and it is a chance if they 
 make another effort to recover the fcent afterwards. 
 
 Not the leall attention fhould^be paid by a 
 HUNTSMAN to auy halloo unlefs the hounds are at 
 fault; a huntfman taking his hounds from the 
 chafe (when running with a good fcent) to a halloo, 
 without much more than a common caufe, ought to 
 be difmiffed as a fool or a madman. Hounds are 
 fometimes hallooed too much, and too frequently 
 permitted to obey it; the confequence is, they are 
 no fooncr at fault than they expe6l it : huntfmen 
 hurt their hounds by availing themfelves of fuch 
 advantage, it makes them indifferent; they are al- 
 ways upon the iiften, become more and more flack, 
 particularly in covert. So long as hounds can 
 carry on the fcent, it muff be admitted a very poor 
 and paradoxical practice to take them off; but 
 when, with all their fair and indefatigable exerr 
 tions, it cannot be recovered, it then becomes a 
 duty to render them every affiftance. Cafes fonie^ 
 times occur in oppofition to every effort (partici^- 
 
 larly 
 
*iPORTIXG DICTIONARY. 505 
 
 larly in covert) where the leading hounds, in run- 
 ning, get a head of the huntiman, and much before 
 the principal body of the pack; in fuch fituation, 
 he muft llrenuoufly furmount intervening difficul- 
 ties, with all poflible refolution, and get to them as 
 faft as he can, with what he can colle6t of the pack, 
 and leave the remainder to be hallooed forward^ 
 and brought along by the whipper-in. 
 
 Huntsmen who have too much da/7i themfelves, 
 dafii with fo much rapidity in drawing from one 
 covert to another, that they frequently leave 
 hounds behind; and the whipper-in (where there is 
 but one, and there ought always to be two) being no 
 lefs eager than the huntfman to be forward, renders 
 what was an er7'or in the firjl inflance, a confirmed 
 fault in the next. It would be more fportfman- 
 like to get the hounds colleQed, and bring them 
 away all together; it might fometimes prevent the 
 return of a whipper-in for even a Jingle Jkirter^ 
 more particularly at the conclufion of the day, 
 when hounds are hallooed off for home. Left be- 
 hind, they become liable to lofs as well as accident: 
 when once addicted io fiirting, it becomes a grow- 
 ing vice, and is feldom difcontinued; they acquire 
 confidence in hunting by themfelves, w'hich they 
 never relinquifii, and w^ould rather dwell upon 
 their own tongue, than give proper credit to an- 
 other: in which perfevering obftinacy they con- 
 tinue, till the pack, drawn off, and evening coming 
 
 6 on. 
 
526 SPORTING DICTIONARY. 
 
 on, they are left to make their weary way through 
 a dreary country; or, expofed to the inclemency 
 of a winter's night, take up their lodging upon the 
 ground, with the additional chance of being at- 
 tacked and worried by every dog they fee in ex- 
 ploring their way the following morning. 
 
 HURLE (or whirl) BONE— is fituate in the 
 centrical part of the hind-quarter, midway between 
 the hip-bone and the gafkin, and is more known 
 now by the appellation of round-bone, than the 
 former, which is almofl obfolete, unlefs in particu- 
 lar country diftrifts. Notwithllanding the fingular 
 ftrength of its formation, and peculiar jundion 
 with the lower extremity of the hip-bone, it is 
 liable to injury from fudden turns or tv/ifts in too 
 confined a fpace, and fliould be the more particu- 
 larly guarded againft; as being deep feated, no re- 
 lief can be obtained, but by long and patient daily 
 FOMENTATION, followcd by (Umulativc (Irengthen- 
 
 ning EMBROCATION. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST VOLUME, 
 
T A P L I N, 
 
 VETERINARY SURGEON, 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 
 The Gentleman's Stable DireSlory ; 
 
 ( 2 VOLS. ) 
 
 *' A Compendium of Farriery," and " Multum in Parvo ;" 
 
 REMOVED FROM EDGEWARE ROAD, TO 
 
 SLOANE SQUARE, 
 
 BEGS to make his moft grateful Acknowledgements to thofe No- 
 blemen and Gentlemen, who have continued to honour him with their 
 Patronage during \}^q four ttin yearn \\q. has been energetically employed 
 in endeavouring to promote a Reform in the former cruel and erro-ric.'us 
 Syllem of Farriery. It is the greateft ambition of his life to have 
 feen that endeavour fully accompldhed. Since the original Publicariori 
 of his '• Gentleman's Stable Directory," he has exukingly 
 furveyed, not only the Inftitutlon, the Ereftion and the Eitablifliment 
 of the Veterinary College, but the almoft incredible increafe 
 of Veterinary Surgeons in every Town; and Veterinary 
 Druggijls in every Street of the Metropolis, Many of thefe, with at 
 certain degree of Profellional Fertility, not only do him the honour to 
 imitate his long- eftabUfhed Horse Medicines; but others, with a 
 degree of Liberality peculiar to thcmfelvcs^ offer to fupply the Public 
 with " cheap and ejicacious" Horfe Medicines, for even half what 
 Mr. Taplin's genuine Ingredients can be obtained at the firll Com- 
 mercial Houfes in the City of London. To the judicious and en- 
 lightened this Myjicry will fufficiently explain itfelf. Mr. Taplin, fo 
 long honoured by the Countenance and Support of themolt dlllinguKhed 
 and opulent Characters, never Indulged a momentary Idea of difpenfing 
 Cheap Medicines, becaufe his Principles would never permit him to pur 
 his Hand diflionourably into the Pockets of his bell Friends ; nor would 
 his well-known Attachment to the Animal, allov; him to prepare a 
 fingle Article upon the genuine Property and expected probable Efli- 
 cacy of which, he Is not only ready at all times to pledge his Reputa- 
 tion, but his Exiilence. The honour of fupplymg near fix hundred 
 Gentlemen, (a Lift of whom may be feen,) exclufive of his different 
 Agents, preclude the necelhty of peftering the Public with perpetual 
 Advertifements ; rendering it at the Commencement cf every Seafon, 
 only necetfary to communicate refpettful Information, tliat Gentlemen 
 refiding in any part of the Kingdom, addreffing their Commands to 
 Mr. Taplin, Sloane-Sqnare, London, (hall have their Medi- 
 cines immediately dilpatched by whatever Conveyance they may pleafe 
 to appoint. 
 
Lijl of Medicines^ ivith their Prices. 
 
 Mild Purging Balls — — 
 
 Stronger ditto . -i^ — 
 
 Mild Mercurial Purging Balls -— 
 
 Stronger ditto -^ — 
 
 Cordial Rhubarb Purging Balls — 
 
 Purging Balls for Worms — 
 
 Mild Diuretic Balls for Cracks, Scratches, Surfeit, 
 
 Hide-bound, or fluftuating Humours 
 Stronger ditto, for perceptible "Foulnefs, Defetts 
 
 of the Eyes, Swelled Legs, and Greafe 
 Pectoral Cordial Balls for recent Colds or Coughs, 
 
 and to be given after fevere chafes and long journies 
 Peftoral Detergent Balls, for Obllinate Coughs, or 
 
 Afthmatic and Thick Winded Horfes 
 Fever Balls — — * — 
 
 Balls for Loofenefs or Scouring — 
 
 Ditto for the Strangury, or Suppreffion of Urine 
 Ditto for the Flatulent Cholic, or Fret — 
 Ditto for the Inflammatory Cholic or Gripes 
 BUItering Ointment for Lamenefs, Spavins, Splents, 
 
 or Curbs — — - — > 
 
 Embrocation for Lamenefs or Strains «— 
 
 Alterative Powders, for Cracks, Scratches, Surfeit, 
 
 Hide-bound, Mange, Greafe, or Worms 
 Camphorated Sperma-casti Liniment, for Cracks*, 
 Saturnine Solvent, for Splents — 
 
 An Efficacious CoUyrlum for all Defects and 
 
 Defluxlons of the Eyes — 
 
 12 
 
 d. 
 
 6 each, 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 per du-:. 
 
 Mercurial Purging Balls for Dogs 
 
 4s. & 6 
 
 o 
 
 6 each, 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 o per pot, 
 6 pn bottk, 
 
 o per do:, 
 o per pot, 
 o per bottle, 
 
 6 per pint, 
 o per doz. 
 
 Mr. Tap LIN confmites to give Advice upon the 
 DEFECTS and diseases of horses, and to render 
 Afjiflance in all Cafes of difficulty and dan- 
 ger, -within TEN MILES of the metropolis, upon 
 ■ the mofl moderate Terms, 
 
:^ 
 
Cl 
 
 Mc 
 
 icsne