4 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



stance so universally known that it would not be 

 worthy of remark except for the purpose of comparing 

 the deer-stalking of the present times with the kind of 

 hunting, as it was termed, when those primitive 

 weapons the bow and arrow were made use of. The 

 invention of fire-arms, and the numerous improve- 

 ments that have been introduced, render the rifle in 

 practised hands a most unerring implement ; armed 

 with which, the amusement of deer-stalking still main- 

 tains its supremacy with Royalty. 



The early annals of the chase are imperfect in detail, 

 but still we have quite sufficient authority for the con- 

 viction that it was pretty generally followed as an amuse- 

 ment by sovereigns and the nobles of England from the 

 reign of the Conqueror to the present time. As feudal 

 usages passed away, as the sunshine of civilisation 

 gained ascendancy, as landed property became more 

 generally diffused and independence assumed a footing, 

 hunting, which was previously enjoyed exclusively by 

 royalty, the nobility and their retainers, gradually 

 became an amusement for all classes. 



I have met with a very old and curious treatise on 

 hunting, in the possession of a gentleman of ancient 

 family, for many years residing in Herefordshire, and a 

 true lover of sporting. The book, although the leaves 

 are of vellum, encased in oak boards, by the ravages of 

 time is slightly mutilated — that is, the title-page is 

 wanting; but I have no doubt it is the production of 

 Edmund de Langley, one of the sons of Edward the 

 Third, Earl of Cambridge and afterwards Duke of 

 York.* The writing is well executed, and it may no 

 doubt be received as one of the best authorities descrip- 

 tive of the chase as it was followed during the period 

 when the book was composed. It would be difficult to 

 assign a precise date to this work ; it is sufficient to 

 state that it must have been written about the close of 



* ' Cecil ' is wrong here. ' The Master of Game ' was compiled by 

 Edward, second Duke of York, grandson of Edward III, and son of 

 Edmund of Langley. [f.d.] 



