The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction - Volume 17, No. 485, April 16, 1831 by Various
page 17 of 49 (34%)
page 17 of 49 (34%)
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Why was hunting formerly a very convenient resource for the wholesomeness,
as well as luxury, of the table? Because the natural pastures being then unimproved, and few kinds of fodder for cattle discovered, it was impossible to maintain the summer stock during the cold season. Hence a portion of it was regularly slaughtered and salted for winter provision. We may suppose, therefore, that when no alternative was offered but these salt meats, even the leanest venison was devoured with relish.--_Hallam's Hist. Middle Ages._ Why were all the great forests pierced by those long rectilinear alleys which appear in old prints, and are mentioned in old books? Because the avenues were particularly necessary for those large parties, resembling our modern _battues_, where the honoured guests being stationed in fit _standings_, had an opportunity of displaying their skill in venery by selecting the buck which was in season, and their dexterity at bringing him down with the cross-bow or long-bow. Why should a deer-park exhibit but little artificial arrangement in its disposal? Because the stag, by nature one of the freest denizens of the forest, can only be kept even under comparative restraint, by taking care that all around him intimates a complete state of forest and wilderness. Thus, there ought to be a variety of broken ground, of copse-wood, and of growing timber--of land, and of water. The soil and herbage must be left in its natural state; the long fern, amongst which the fawns delight to repose, must not be destroyed. |
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