THE HUNTER. 13 



THE HUNTER. 



THE antiquity of the CHASE, and the history of that " mighty hunter before 

 the Lord," Nimrod, are so well known, that any reference or quotation would be 

 superfluous. Modern English Hunting, like Horse-coursing, is a peculiar system ; 

 indeed, they seem to have taken rise together, at some period almost immediately 

 subsequent to our national dissentions, or Wars of the White and Red Rose ; pre- 

 viously to which, our hunting, like that still prevailing upon the continent, was 

 of a military complexion, and often consisted of the pursuit of dangerous wild 

 animals, then to be found in this country, the wolf and the boar. Hunting is no 

 longer a military parade with offensive weapons, but a jovial assembly in the 

 field, of Nobles, Gentry, and Yeomanry of property ; the former attended by their 

 servants ; all in neat, close, and elegant riding dresses ; the huntsmen with their 

 horns, and the whippers-in upon their game and seasoned hunters. The object of 

 the present hunting system is simply a pursuit, or race between the hunting horse and 

 hounds and the beast of chace, under certain fair and equal laws and regulations. 



The ENGLISH HUNTER is generally a horse between fifteen and sixteen hands 

 in height, from the half-bred to the thorough-bred species ; and ought to be of a 

 lofty forehand, and shoulder well formed for action, with wide and substantial 

 loins, moderately short legs and pasterns, and sound feet. The fashion of riding 

 full-bred and speedy horses, so prevalent of late years, was equally prevalent in 

 the beginning, indeed original in the system. But this chiefly takes place in 

 light land counties. Upon strong and heavy soils, a powerful well-shaped half-bred 

 horse may perform satisfactorily, and make a good figure ; but upon light lands 

 and downs, the speed and rate of the high-bred courser are too much above his 

 powers, and he cannot long hold way in such superior company. On a general 

 consideration, the three part or seven-eighth bred horse is best adapted to the 

 purpose of hunting, since, at the same time, acknowledging the superiority of the 

 thorough-bred horse, it is so extremely difficult to obtain him of a sufficiently fixed 

 and substantial form. 



BUNCOMBE, the subject of the opposite plate, is a good model of the hunter 

 nearly thorough-bred ; whilst the servant is mounted upon a shewy figure of the 

 three-part bred hunter. In Duncombe we discover a broad and substantial loin, 

 with the muscular swell in the shoulder and quarter, and solid substance of the 

 thigh and fore arm, which indicate a well-bred horse in good hunting condition.. 



