the Chace, 20^ 



myfclf, I fhall have gained my end. I 

 have intermixed the preceptive parts with 

 io many defcriptions and digreflions in the 

 Georgick manner, that I hope they v^ill not 

 fce tedious. I am fure they are very necef- 

 fary to be well underflood by any gentle- 

 tleman, vvho would enjoy this noble fport 

 in full perfedlion. In this at leaft I may 

 comfort myfelf, that I cannot trefpafs up- 

 on their patience more than Markham, 

 BJome, and the other prpfe writers upon 

 this fubjedt. 



It is moft certain, that Hunting was the 

 exercife of the greateft heroes in antiquity. 

 By this they formed themfelves for war 3 

 and their exploits againft wild beails were a 

 prelude to their future vid:ories. Xeno- 

 phon fays, that almofl all the ancient he- 

 roes, Neftor, Thefeus, Caftor, Pollux, 

 UlyiTes, Diomedes, Achilles, &c. were 

 MaG-/jW Kvyyiyeffiuv, difciples of hunting; be- 

 ing taught carefully that art, as what would 

 be highly ferviceable to them in military 

 difcipline. Xen. Cynegetic. And Pliny 

 obferves, thofe who were defigned for great 

 captains, were firfl taught certare cum 



fugacibus 



