2 CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 



mine known to me, however, in the spirit only, 



and not in the flesh— to wit. Master John Manwood, 

 whose quaint descriptions and pleasinor learning 

 touching the laws of the forest, have beguiled many 

 a lono- evenino- and been my amusement after many 

 a merry chase. 



On the subject of the 'antiquity of hunting and 

 the chasing of wild beasts,' he quaintly discourses as 

 follows: — 'It doth appear, even by the holy 

 Scripture, that hunting and chasing of wild beastes 

 hath been used and taken for a pastime and 

 recreation, and great delighte, almost from the 

 beginning of the worlde. We read that Esau 

 became a cunning hunter ; that is to saie, a man 

 that was expert in chasing and killing wilde 

 beastes. And likewise we read that Nimrod grew 

 great upon the earth, and that he became a mighty 

 hunter. And aofain we read that Isaac loved Esau 

 because he did eat of his venison. We read that 

 Solomon had allowed him every day, for his kingly 

 diet, certain harts and bucks for venison. All 

 which places do prove the antiquity of hunting to be 

 great. Hunting in forests, chases, and such like 

 privileged places of pleasure, is only for kings, 

 princes, and great worthy personages, and not for 

 men of mean calling or condition. But they may 



