To the Gentlemen Readers. 113 
Bucke and other Chases, than Sir 777s¢vam did. And for the first commendation 
of Hunting, I find (Gentlemen) by my owne experience in Hunting, that Hunters 
by their continuall trauaile, painfull labour, often watching, and enduring of 
hunger, of heate, and of cold, are much enabled aboue others to the seruice of 
their Prince and Countrey in the warres, hauing their bodies for the most part 
by reason of their continuall exercise in much better health, than other men have; 
and their minds also by this honest recreation the more fit and the better 
disposed to all other good exercises. And for proofe hereof, I cannot giue you 
a better instance than that most noble Gentleman the Earle of Cumberland 
now liuing ; who by reason that hee hath vsed hunting with hounds euen from 
his youth hetherto, is not onely in skill of hunting equall with any Gentleman 
in England: but for all abilities of his bodie (which doo awaite vpon many 
great gifts of the mind) as fit to be a noble Souldier for his countrey, or rather 
a most notable Generall for any Army whatsoeuer either by Sea or Land, as 
any man is in Europe of his calling whatsoeuer. And here I canot but 
remeber, that once being on a huting iourney with that most honorable 
Gentlema Ambrose the late Earle of Warwicke, and now deceased; I heard 
him say before diuers Noble men and Gentlemen of great qualitie then in that 
companie ; that amongst all the sorts of men that he had conuersed withall in 
his life, he neuer found any better or more honest companions than Hunters 
and Falkoners. I could here say much more in praise of this notable exercise 
of hunting: by which in many other Countries men haue been and yet are 
often deliuered from the rauine and spoile of many wild beasts; as namely of 
Lyons, of Beares, of Woolues, and of other such beasts of pray ; and here in 
England from the hurt of Foxes and of other rauenous vermine. But the 
disport being of it selfe sufficiently commendable and able to say for it self, 
against all the carping speaches of the enemies thereof (if any such may be 
found amongst Gentlemen) I hope this labour of mine only taken in hand for 
your delight, shall passe with your most fauourrable censure thereof. And so 
with my praier that both you and I may liue and dye in the Lord, I bid you 
all hartely farewell ; with this caution that this disport of hunting bee vsed by 
you only as a recreation to enable both your bodies and minds thereby to 
better exercises, & not as an occupation to spend therein daies, moneths and 
yeres, to the hinderance of the seruice of God, her Maiestie or your Countrey. 
From my house neere Ashdorne this last of December, 1590. 
Your louing friend, 
Lares 
