n 



HUNTING ADVENTURES. 



ANCIENT CELTIC HUNTER. 



handling their arms, which made them so formidable in war to 

 their enemies. By it, too, they freed their country from those 

 mischievous animals which abounded in the forests, and furnished 

 themselves with materials for those feasts which seem to have 

 constituted their greatest pleasure. 



The young chieftains had thus, likewise, an opportunity of pay- 

 ing court to their mistresses, by displaying their courage and 

 agility, and making them presents of their game ; nay, so strong, 

 and universal was the passion for hunting among the ancient 

 Britons, that even young ladies of the highest quality, and great- 

 est beauty, spent much of their time in the chase. They em- 

 ployed much the same weapons in hunting that they did in war, 

 viz., long spears, javelins, and bows and arrows ; having also 

 great numbers of dogs to assist them in finding and pursuing their 

 game. These dogs were much admired among other nations, on 

 account of their swiftness, strength, fierceness, and exquisite 

 nse of smelling. They s\ ere highly valued by the Celtic nations. 



