CHAPTEK XIII. 



THE ORIGIN OF FOX-HUNTING. 



THE origin of modern fox-hunting is involved in a degree 

 of obscurity which can only be attributed to the illiterate 

 character of the originators, the Squire Westerns, who 

 rode all day, and drank all the evening. We need the 

 assistance of the ingenious correspondent of Notes and 

 Queries : 



"It is quite certain that the fox was not accounted a 

 noble beast of chase before the Kevolution of 1688; for 

 Gervase Markham classes the fox with the badger in his 

 ' Cavalrie, or that part of Arte wherein is contained the 

 Choice Trayning and Dyeting of Hunting Horses 

 whether for Pleasure or for Wager. The Third Booke. 

 Printed by Edw. Allde, for Edward White ; and are to 

 be sold at his Shop, neare the Little North Door of St. 

 Paule's Church, at the signe of the Gun. 1616.' He 

 says : 



" ' The chase of the foxe or badger, although it be a 

 chase of much more swiftness (than the otter), and is 

 ever kept upon firm ground, yet I cannot allow it for 

 training horses, because for the most part it continues in 

 woody rough grounds, where a horse can neither con- 

 veniently make foorth his way nor can heed without 

 danger of stubbing The chase, much better than any 



