the Chace, 2tt 



fight. I am indebted for thefe two laft re- 

 marks to a reverend and very learned gen- 

 tleman, v^hofe judgment in the Belles Let- 

 tres no body difputes, and v^^hofe approba- 

 tion gave me the aflurance to piiblifh this 

 poemo 



Oppian alfo obferves, that the beft fort 

 of thefe finders were brought from Britain ; 

 this ifland having always been famous (as it 

 is at this day) for the beft breed of hounds,, 

 for perfons the beft fkilled in the art of 

 hunting, and for horfes the moft enduring 

 to follow the chace. It is therefore flrange 

 that none of our poets have yet thought it 

 worth their while to treat of this fubjedl * 

 which is without doubt very noble in itfelf^ 

 and very well adapted to receive the moft 

 beautiful turns of poetry. Perhaps our 

 poets have no great genius for huntingi 

 Yet I hope, my brethren of the couples, by 

 encouraging this firft, but imperfed: t "ny^ 

 will fhew the world they have at leafl fome 

 tafte for poetry. 



The ancients efleemed hunting, not only 



as a manly and warlike exercife, but as 



highly conducive to health. The famous 



P ?; Galen 



