14 PREFACE. 



accompanied the latter on horseback, he was ordered to keep 

 up with the greyhounds. A fourth mode of coursing, some- 

 times adopted by them, was that of first loosing dogs of scent 

 c. XXI. to find, and start the game, and then slipping the greyhounds, 

 as soon as it came within sight. 



Upon all of these different practices the father of the leash 

 has entered most fully in his classical Manual : and if to these 

 points we add his sensible remarks on the entering of puppies, 

 on breeding, management after whelping, feeding and naming 

 of young dogs, comparison of sexes, &c. ; his merit will be 

 allowed to be commensurate with his antiquity, and his enchi- 

 ridion not only the earliest in the annals of the leash, but 

 altogether the most abundant in valuable information. 



It is foreign to my purpose and inclination to enter into a 



prolix defence of the courser's pursuit, against the objections of 



Countrcy Con- its adversaries in the field or closet. " I would not goe about," 



tentments, 



in the words of Gervase Markham, " to elect and prescribe 

 what recreation the husbandman should use, binding all men to 

 one pleasure — God forbid ! my purpose is merely contrary : 

 for I know in men's recreations, that nature taketh to herselfe 

 an especiall prerogative, and what to one is most pleasant, to 

 another is most offensive ; some seeking to satisfie the mind, 

 some the body, and some both in a joynt motion." 



We of the coursing fraternity prefer the " canis Gallicus," 

 and "arvum vacuum" of Ovid, as instrumental to our choicest 

 diversion ; 



•M • camposque patentes 



C vneg. vs. 48. Scrutamur, totisque citi discurriraus arvis ; 



Et ' cupimus facili cane suniere praedas ; 



Nos timidos lepores 



B. I. c. I. 



