The School of Recreation Part 5

A _Stalking-Horse_ for shelter, to avoid being seen by the s.h.i.+e Fowle, is an old Jade trained on purpose; but this being rare and troublesome, have recourse to Art, to take Canvas, stuft and painted in the shape of a Horse grazing, and so light that you may carry him on one hand (not too bigg:) Others do make them in the shape of _Ox_, _Cow_, for Variety; and _Stag_, _Trees_, _&c._

Thus being provided with necessary Engines for prosecuting and effecting so cunning and pleasant a work, _Let's abroad_; and let not the _Ale-House_, _Tavern_, or _Brothel-Houses_, debauch and benumn our Spirits, but let us with the Fowler exhilerate our Minds, refresh our Bodies, & for a little Pains reap a great deal of Pleasure & Satisfaction, whet our Appet.i.tes, and get Meat too for them.

Now then according to my proposed Method, let us first examine _Where_ to find our Game? that is, The _Haunts of Fowle_, whether _Land_ or _Water_ Fowle; by which two Characters I distinguish them, because of their Variety and Multiplicity.

The _greater Fowle_, or those who _divide the Foot_, reside by shallow Rivers sides, Brooks and Plashes of Water; and in low and boggy places, and sedgie, Marish, rotten Grounds. They also delight in the dry parts of drowned Fens, overgrown with long Reeds, Rushes and Sedges; as likewise in half-drowned Moors, hollow Vales of Downs, Heaths, _&c._ Where obscurely they may lurk under the Shelter of Hedges, Hills, Bushes, _&c._

The _Lesser_, or Web-footed, _Fowle_, allwayes haunt drowned Fens, as likewise the main streams of Rivers not subject to Freeze, the deeper and broader, the better; (tho of these the _Wild-Goose_ and _Barnacle_, if they cannot sound the depth, and reach the Ouze, change their Residence for shallow places, and delight in Green-Winter-Corn, especially if the Lands ends have Water about them:) _Small Fowle_ also frequent hugely little Brooks, Ponds, drowned Meadows, Pastures, Moors, Plashes, Meres, Loughs, and Lakes, stored with unfrequented Islands, Shrubs, _&c._

_How to take all manner of Fowl or Birds._

For taking the first (I mean the greater _Fowle_) with _Nets_, observe in general this: Come two hours before their feeding hours, Morning and Evening; and spreading your Net on the Ground smooth and flat, stake the two lower ends firm, and let the upper ends be extended on the long Cord; of which the further end must be fastned to the ground, three Fathom from the Net, the stake in a direct Line with the lower Verge of the Net; the other, ten or twelve fathoms long, have in your hand at the aforesaid distance, and get some shelter of Art or Nature, to keep you from the curious and s.h.i.+e Eye of your Game; having your Net so ready that the least pull may do your work, Strew'd over with Gra.s.s as it lies to hide it: A live _Herne_, or some other Fowle lately taken, according to what you seek for, will be very requisite for a _Stale_. And you will have sport from the Dawning, till the Sun is about an hour high; but no longer; and from Sun-set till Twilight; these being their feeding times.

For the _small_ (Water) _Fowle_. Observe the Evening is best before Sun-set. Stake down your Nets on each side the River half a foot within the Water, the lower part so plumb'd as to sink no further; the upper slantwise shoaling against, but not touching by two foot, the Water, and the Strings which bear up this upper side fastned to small yeilding sticks p.r.i.c.kt in the Bank, that as the Fowle strike may ply to the Nets to entangle them. And thus lay your Nets (as many as you please) about twelve score one from another, as the River or Brook will afford. And doubt not your success. To expedite it however, a _Gun_ fired three or four times in the _Fens_ and _Plashes_, a good distance from your Nets, will affright and post them to your Snares; and so do at the _Rivers_, when you lay in the _Fens_. Thus much in general for _Nets_, I come next to _Bird-Lime_.

_Winter time_ is the most proper for taking all manner of _Small Birds_, as flocking then promiscuously together, _Larks_, _Lennets_, _Chaffinches_, _Goldfinches_, _Yellow-Hammers_, &c. with this _Bird-lime_, made as afore-spoken; only additionally thus ordered. Put to a quarter of a pound of _Bird-lime_, an Ounce of fresh _Lard_, or _Capons-grease_, and let it gently melt together over the Fire, but not Boyl; then take a quant.i.ty of _Wheat-ears_, as you think your use shall require, and cut the straw about a foot long besides the Ears, and from the Ear _Lime_ the straw Six inches; the warmer it is, the less discernable it will be: Then to the _Field_ adjacent, carrying a bag of Chaff, and thresh'd Ears, scatter them twenty Yards wide, and stick the _lim'd Ears_ (declining downwards) here, and there; Then traverse the _Fields_, disturb their _Haunts_, they will repair to your Snare, and pecking at the Ears, finding they stick to them, mount; and the _Lim'd_ straws, lapping under their Wings, dead their flight, they cannot be disengaged, but fall and be taken they must. Do not go near them, till they rise of their own accord, and let not five or six entangled lead you to spoyl your Game, and incur the loss of five or six dozen.

_Barn-doors_, _Thatcht-Houses_, and such like places, are excellent too for the use of these _Lime-straws_. _A Clap- Net_, and _Lanthorn_, in a dark night rub'd at the Eaves of Houses, is a common practice.

_Lime-Twigs_, is another Expedient for taking of Great _Fowle_, being Rods that are long, small, straight, and pliable, the upper part (apt to play to and fro) being besmeared with _Bird-lime_ warm. Thus to be used, Observe the Haunts of the _Fowle_, have a _Stale_, (a living Fowle of the same kind you would take) and cross p.r.i.c.king your Rods, one into, and another against the Wind sloping, a foot distant one from the other, pin down your _Stale_, some distance from them, tying some small string to him, to pull and make him flutter to allure the _Fowle_ down. If any be caught, do not run presently upon them, their fluttering will encrease your Game. A well taught _Spaniel_ is not amiss to retake those that are entangled, and yet flutter away. Thus likewise for the _Water_, consult the Rivers depth, and let your Rods be proportionable; what is _Limed_ of them being above the Water, and a _Mallard_, &c. as a _Stale_ placed here and there, as aforesaid. You need not wait on them, but three times a day visit them, and see your _Game_; if you miss any Rods (therefore know their Number) some Fowle entangled is got away with it, into some Hole, _&c._ and here your _Spaniel_ will be serviceable to find him.

For _Small-Birds_, a _Lime-bush_ is best; thus, Cut down a great Bough of a _Birch_, or _Willow-Tree_, trim it clean, and _Lime_ it handsomely, within four fingers of the bottom: Place this _Bush_ so ordered, in some quick-set, or dead _Hedge_, in _Spring_ time: In _Harvest_, or _Summer_, in _Groves_, _Bushes_, _Hedges_, _Fruit-Trees_, _Flax_, and _Hemp-Lands_: In _Winter_, about _Houses_, _Hovells_, _Barns_, _Stacks_, &c. A _Bird-Call_ is here also necessary, or your own industrious skill in the Notes of several Birds. _Lime-twigs_ are likewise used, stuck on _Hemp-c.o.c.ks_, which take vast Numbers of _Lennets_, and _Green-Birds_, that love that _Diet_. An _Owle_ placed near your _Lime-twigs_, is likewise an Excellent _Stale_, for being persecuted by all other _Birds_, they flock about him, and dye with Hatred; I mean, being taken by you, in their eager, and malicious Persecution of poor _Tom_. Some have Natural, others Artificial _Owles_, and with either fear not Success. And thus you may do, in any particular _Game_, with your _Twigs_, and _Stale_ of the same kind, as, _Snipes_, _Felfares_, _Pigeons_, &c.

And here I must not forget the _Farmers_ Advantage, to destroy his _Corn_-destroyers, _Rooks_, but give him this Advice: Take some thick _Brown-paper_, divide a sheet into Eight parts, and make them into the fas.h.i.+on of _Sugar-Loaves_; _Lime_ them a little in the inside, and put some _Corn_ in them (if in _Ploughing_ time, _Wormes_, and _Maggots_) lay _Three_ or _Four Score_ up and down the Land, under (if you can) some Clod, early, before feeding time: Be at some distance, and behold the ensuing Sport. Your _Pigeons_, _Rooks_, _Crows_, &c. comeing to pick out the _Corn_ or _Worms_, the _Pyramidal-snare_ hangs on their heads, they fly straight upright, almost out of sight, and as if some _Gun_ in the Ayr had met with them, down they come tumbling (being spent) and become your Prey.

Thus much in general of taking all manner of _Fowle_, by _Net_, or _Lime_, I come next to know their best Seasons, when to use them, and the first (the _Net_) is from the beginning of _May_, to the latter end of _October_; and the last (the _Lime_) in the _Winter_ only, beginning from _November_, and ending at _May_, in which times, there being no Leaves, your _Lime-Bushes_, and _Branches_ of _Trees_ are of one and the same Hue.

And because Gentlemen who have _Fish-ponds_, wonder they loose so many _Fish_, and are apt to Censure sometimes undeservedly their Neighbours, when it is the insatiable _Hern_, that is the true cause: I shall next lay down the best and most approved way of taking the great _Fish-devouring Herne_, whose _Haunt_ having found, observe this Method to take him. Get three or four small _Roaches_, or _Dace_, take a strong _Hook_, (not too rank) with Wyre to it, and draw the Wyre just within the skin, from the side of the _Gills_, to the _Taile_ of the said _Fish_, and he will live four or five dayes, (if dead, the _Herne_ will not touch it.) Then having a strong Line, of a dark-_Green-Silk_, twisted with Wyre, about three yards long, tye a round stone of a pound to it, and lay three or four such hooks, but not too deep in the Water, out of the _Herne's_ wading; and two or three Nights will answer your Expectation.

And here I thought to conclude this Discourse of _Fowling_, but the young _Tyro_ or _Beginner_ in the Acquest of this n.o.ble Art, pulls me back again, and whispers this Question in my Ear, How to take _Pheasants_, _Partridges_, &c. in particular, by either of the forementioned wayes, as, _Nets_, _Lime_, _Engine_, _Driving_, or _Setting_; because of all _Fowl_ for _Game_, these two are esteemed as the most Gentile, and Profitable? I shall answer his Curiosity, and for his Instruction, propose these ensuing Rules, though what I have said in general of Great _Fowl_ might suffice.

_The severall wayes of taking _Pheasants_._

For to take _Pheasants_ with _Nets_, first find their _Haunts_, or _Coverts_, which are generally in thick, young, well-grown _Copses_, solitary and untraced by Men or Cattle, and not in Old High _Woods_; and never in open _Fields_. Which having a.s.sured knowledge of, the next thing is to find out the _Eye_, or _Brood_ of _Pheasants_, wich according to the best Experience is thus. You must learn and understand the several Notes of a Natural _Pheasant-Call_, and how usefully to apply them. In the Morning just before, or at _Sun-rising_, call them to feed, and so at _Sun-setting_: In the _Forenoon_, and _Afternoon_, your Note must be to Cluck them together to _Brood_, or to chide them for straggling, or to notify some danger at hand.

Thus skilled in their _Notes_, and by the Darkness, Solitaryness, and strong undergrowth of the place a.s.sured of their _Haunts_, closely lodge your self, and softly at first call; lest being near you, a loud _Note_ affright them; and no Reply made, raise your _Note_ gradually, to the highest; and if there be a _Pheasant_ in hearing, he will answer you, in as loud a _Note_. Be sure it be Tunable. As soon as you are answered, creep nearer to it; if far off, and a single _Fowl_, as you call, and approach, so will the _Pheasant_. Having gotten sight of her, on the _Ground_, or _Perch_, cease calling, and with all silence possible, spread your _Net_ conveniently, between the _Pheasant_, and you, one end of the _Net_ fastned to the _Ground_, and the other end, hold by a long Line in your hand, by which you may pull it together, if strained; then call again, and as you see the _Pheasant_ come under your _Net_, rise and shew your self, and affrighting her, she will mount, and so is taken. Thus if on the contrary you have divers _Answers_, from several _Corners_ of the _Coppice_, and you keep your place and not stir, they will come to your Call, and then having a pair of _Nets_, spread one on each side, and do as before. Your _Nets_ must be made of _Green_ or _Black_ double-twin'd _Thread_, the _Mesh_ about an inch square, between _Knot_, and _Knot_, the whole _Net_ about three _Fathom_ long, and Seven _Foot_ broad, verged with strong small Cord on each side and ends, to lye hollow and compa.s.s-wise.

The next way of taking _Pheasant-Powts_, is by _Driving_ thus. Having found the _Haunt_ of an _Eye of Pheasants_, known by the _Barrenness_ of the place, _Mutings_ and loose Feathers, then in the little Pads and Wayes, like Sheep-tracks, they have made, place your Nets (taking the wind with you) a-cross these Paths, hollow, loose and circularly, the nether part fixt to the ground, and the upper side hollow, _&c._ as aforesaid: Then to their _Haunt_, and there _call_ them together, if scattered; then with a _Driver_, an Instrument like that of _Cloath-dressers_, rake gently the Bushes and Boughs about you, the _Powts_ will run, and stop and listen; then give a nother rake, and so you will drive them like sheep into your Nets: Observe in this _Secrecy_, _Time_ and _Leisure_, or you spoyl your sport; _Secrecy_ in concealing your self from being seen by them; and _Time_ and _Leisure_, by not being too hasty.

Lastly for taking _Pheasants_ with the _Lime-Bush_, or Rods, order these, as I have before prescribed; your Rods about twelve Inches long, and your Bush containing not above eight Twigs, with a pretty long Handle, sharpned to stick in the Ground, or Bushes, Shrubs, _&c._ and let it be planted as near the _Pheasants pearching Branch_, as may be.

Place your Rods on the Ground, near the Bush; which will help the Bush; for when some are taken below by the Rods, they will scare up the others to get on the Bushes to seek what's become of their Fellows, and there become your Prey themselves. Thus provided, keep close not to be discovered; out with your Call, and use it _Skilfully_ and well, and you need not fear Game. Number the Rods you planted, and if any be missing, some _Pheasant_ is crept away with it, and here let your Spaniel be employed to serve you in finding out the last sanctuary of the poor _Pheasant_, thus shunning his inevitable Captivity and Death.

_For taking Partridge._

As in all the foregoing Sports, the _Place_ where to find them is our first Enquiry, so here (as you did of the _Pheasant_) you must first find the _Partridges Haunt_. Which is mostly in standing-Corn-Fields, where they breed; as likewise in Stubble after the Corn is cut, especially Wheat-stubble till it is trodden, and then they repair to Barley-Stubble, if fresh; and the Furrows amongst the Clots, Brambles and long Gra.s.s, are sometimes their lurking places, for Twenty and upward in a Covy. In the _Winter_ in up-land Meadows, in the dead Gra.s.s or Fog under Hedges, among Mole-Hills; or under the Roots of Trees, _&c._ Various and uncertain are their _Haunts_. And tho some by the _Eye_, by distinguis.h.i.+ng their Colour from the ground, others by the _Ear_, by hearing the c.o.c.k call earnestly the Hen, and the Hens answering, and chattering with Joy at meeting, do find _Partridge_; yet the best, easiest and safest way of finding them is (as you do the _Pheasant_) by the Call or Pipe; applying your Notes seasonable, as before prescribed, and they will come near to you, and you may count their Numbers, and to your sport.

Surround your Covy, prepare your Nets, and p.r.i.c.king a stick fast in the ground, tye the one end to it, and let your Nets fall as you walk briskly round without stopping, and cover the _Partridge_; then rush in upon them to frighten them, and as they rise they are taken.

For taking them with _Bird-Lime_, thus. Call first near the _Haunt_; if answered, stick about your _Lime-Straws_ (of which I have spoken before) a-cross in ranks two or three Lands, at some distance from you; then call again, and as they approach you, they are intercepted by the Straws; and to your Prey. This way is used most successfully in Stubble-Fields, from _August_ to _September_: And Rods in Woods, Pastures, _&c._ as for the _Pheasant_.

But lastly, above all (to omit all others) the most pleasant way of taking Partridge is with a _Setting-Dog_ (of which I have spoken before and refer you thither) who having set them, (known by the already mentioned signs) use your Net, as you have heard just now: And by these Rules and Method, the _Railes_, _Quailes_, _Moorpootes_, _&c._ are to be taken; and are for _Hawks_ flight too. And here I must make an end of the most material part of _Fowling_.

For as for treating of all manner of _Singing Birds_, their _Taking_, which in general hath been before observed, their _Preserving_ and _Keeping_, their _Natural Breeding_ and _Feeding_, is a Work of such common Observation, and so differing from the Design of this Treatise of _Violent_ and _Brisk Exercises_, that omitting it altogether here, shall refer you to the Venders of them, whom you may meet with in every Street, and furnish your self at easy rates; and are indeed but _Voces & praeterea Nihil_.

Thus much for _Fowling_.

Of Fis.h.i.+ng.

So _Ancient_, so _Innocent_, so _Vertuous_, and so _Useful_ is this Recreation, that all the foregoing Divertis.e.m.e.nts, must needs give place to this, and however (inadvertently) it comes in here, challenges a Preference, and Acceptance before any Pleasure can by the heart of Man be desired. As for its _Antiquity_ some attribute its Knowledge to _Belus_ Son of _Nimrod_, who first invented all Vertuous Sports; others to _Seth_ and his Sons, he having left it on brazen Pillars engraven with indelible Characters not to be obliterated by the ensuing Flood.

_Job_ makes mention of Fis.h.i.+ng, who Lived as may be supposed before _Moses_; nor is it questionable, whether the ill.u.s.trious Patriarchs used not this Recreation. Certain it is, there were many _Fishermen_ before _Christs_ Coming, whose sole Dependance was on this Innocent Art.

_Innocent_ indeed and harmless, when the Lamb of G.o.d himself _recommended_ it (as I may say) as such, by his Divine Call of four _Fishermen_, to be his Disciples, and by distinguis.h.i.+ng & dignifying them with the greatest _Intimacy_ with himself, and chiefest place in the _Apostolical Catalogue_; and by the Inspiration of his Spirit enn.o.bled their Function; he made them Eminent _Fishers of men_. Nay, at the expence of a _Miracle_, he shewed the _Lawful Use_ of Fis.h.i.+ng, when the mouth of _Peter's_ Fish he commanded him to take, was the _Tribute-Money's Purse_. And why our Saviour made his first Election of Fishermen, before others, this may be the undoubted Reason: Because he knew such men were naturally of more Contemplative and Serene Minds, of more Calme, Peaceable, and sweet Dispositions; And let me add too in the next place, because it is the School of Vertue (as I may call it) wherein the Primitive Christian Vertues are learnt and exercised.

_Patience_ is the immediate Vertue wherewith the _Angler_ is endued, without which the Pleasure doth no longer exist; and attended with her three Sisters compleat his Delight. For _Justice_ directs him to the due Place of Sport, where he may freely exercise his Art, without Injury or Incivility to his Neighbours: _Temperance_ prescribes a _Measure_ to the Action, and moderates and rules the Affections. And lastly _Fort.i.tude_ encourages and strengthens his mind, to support the Labour and undergo with Perseverance all Disappointments, excludes _Pa.s.sion_ (incident to other Recreations,) at the loss of a Hook, or (perhaps that he never had) a Fish. It makes him not fear Wind nor Weather, nor is his delight sowered at last with _Melancholy_ and Vexation; but tho the Anglers Reward is but a little Fish, for a great deal of Pains, the Contentment and Satisfaction is above that. Finally the _Usefulness_ of it is apparently great; for the cheris.h.i.+ng the Body, and cheering the Mind, for diverting Sadness, and calming unquiet Thoughts, for moderating Pa.s.sions and procuring Contentedness, and begetting Peace and Patience in those that profess and practise it. It has been the Recreation of G.o.ds Saints, and Holy Fathers; and of many Worthy and Reverend Divines, this hath been and is now their beloved Pastime. And so I shall conclude this _Encomium_ of Fis.h.i.+ng; Volumes may be written in its praise (in which I am something wanting in the other foregoing Sports, this claiming it as its just due above the rest) but I long to tell you _How_, _When_ and _Where_, you may taste its Delight.

It hath been the Method of this whole Treatise, to divide the several distinct Heads of each Recreation into three Parts, to render the Observations and Rules the more plain and easy, for the prosecuting the Recreation we treat of.

1. _What_ it is we pursue.

2. _Where_ and _When_ to find that we would delight our selves in.

3. _With what_ proper _Mediums_ or Measures we may obtain the desired Effects of our endeavours therein. And in this delightful Scene of Pastime, we now treat of, Fis.h.i.+ng, so full of Variety and Choice, I shall observe the same Method.

First then, _What_ we pursue is Fish, distinguished according to their sundry kinds by these following _Names_.

The _Barbel_, _Breame_, _Bleak_, _Bulhead_, or Millers-Thumb; _Chevin_, _Char_, _Chub_, _Carp_; _Dace_, _Dare_; _Eel_; _Flounder_; _Grayling_, _Gudgeon_, _Guiniad_; _Loach_; _Minnow_; _Pope_ or _Pike_, _Pearch_; _Rud_, _Roach_; _Sticklebag_ or Bansticle, _Salmon_, _Shad_, _Suant_; _Tench_, _Torcoth_, _Trout_, _Thwait_, and _Umber_. All these Alphabetically thus named are the different sorts of Fish, in taking which the Angler commonly exercises his Art. We come next, _Where_ to find them.

I. To know the _Haunts_ and Resorts of Fish, in which they are to be usually found, is the most Material thing the Angler ought to be instructed in, lest he vainly prepare _how to take_ them, and preposterously seek _where to find_ that he prepared for. To prevent which you are first to understand, That as the Season of the Year is, so _Fish_ change their places: In _Summer_, some keep near the Top, others the bottom of the Waters. In _Winter_, all _Fish_ in general resort to deep Waters. But more particularly,

The _Barbel_, _Roach_, _Dace_, and _Ruff_, covet most _Sandy, Gravelly Ground_, the deepest part of the _River_, and the Shadows of _Trees_.

_Breame_, _Pike_, and _Chub_, delight in a _Clay_, and _Ouzie Ground_: The _Bream_ chooseth the middle of the _River_, in a gentle not too rapid Stream: The _Pike_ prefereth still Waters, full of _Fry_, and absconding himself amongst _Bull-Rushes_, _Water-docks_, or under _Bushes_, that under these shelters he may more securely surprize and seize his Prey: The _Chub_ too chooses the same Ground, large Rivers and Streams, and is rarely dest.i.tute of some Tree to cover and shade him.

_Carp_, _Tench_ and _Eel_, frequent foul muddy still Waters. The _greatest Eels_ lurk under Stones, or Roots; the _smallest_ ones are found in all sorts of Rivers or Soyls: The _Carp_ is for the deepest stillest part of Pond or River, and so is the _Tench_, and both delight in green Weeds.

_Pearch_ delighteth in gentle Streams of a reasonable Depth, not too shallow; close by a Hollow Bank is their common Sanctuary.

_Gudgeon_ covets Sandy, Gravelly, Gentle Streams, and smaller Rivers; not so much abounding in Brooks. He bites best in Spring, till they sp.a.w.n, and a little after till _Wasp_ time.

The _Salmon_ delights in large swift Rivers, which ebb and flow; and are there plentifully to be found: As likewise Rocky and Weedy Rivers. But in the latter end of the Year he is to be found high up in the Country, in swift and violent Cataracts, coming thither to sp.a.w.n.

The _Trout_ loves small swift purling Brooks or Rivers, that run upon Stones or Gravel, and in the swiftest deepest part of them, getteth behind some Stone-Block and there feeds. He delights in a Point of a River where the Water comes Whirling like the Eddy, to catch what the Stream brings down, especially if he has the Shade of a Tree: He hugely delights to lurk under some hollow Bank or Stone; seldom among Weeds.