Transcriber's Note:

Variations in spelling, punctuation and the use of hyphens have been retained. Apparent typographical errors have been corrected.

THE
SPORTING DICTIONARY,
AND
RURAL REPOSITORY
OF
GENERAL INFORMATION
UPON EVERY SUBJECT APPERTAINING
TO
THE SPORTS OF THE FIELD.

INSCRIBED TO
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
THE EARL OF SANDWICH,
Master of His Majesty's Stag Hounds.

BY
WILLIAM TAPLIN,
Author of the Gentleman's Stable Directory.

IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.

LONDON.
Printed by Thomas Maiden, Sherbourn-Lane,
FOR VERNOR AND HOOD, LONGMAN AND REES,
J. SCATCHERD, J. WALKER, AND J. HARRIS.

1803.

The
SPORTING DICTIONARY.

I & J.

Jardon

—is a term but little used in the present improved state of FARRIERY, and but little known, except to the few remaining practitioners of the old school, who are gradually becoming almost as obsolete as the word itself. A jardon was the name given to any callous enlargement on the outside of either hock, proceeding from blows, or by kicks from other horses; although they more frequently arise from sudden turns or twists in too short a compass, or being too violently thrown upon their haunches in the manege, or elsewhere. In slight affections, they are not always productive of pain or lameness; and if properly attended to upon their first appearance, are sometimes reduced and obliterated without any future ill effect. Powerful repellents, and strengthening embrocations, are the most efficacious applications. Blistering first, and FIRING afterwards, have been the usual practice. It is, however, certain they are, in general, too hastily adopted. Daily fomentations of hot vinegar, followed by a strong embrocation of extract of Saturn, and camphorated spirits, might probably prevent the necessity for either.

JAUNDICE

.—The jaundice is a disorder to which quadrupeds are subject as well as the human species; and notwithstanding the difference in the formation of each, it originates in a similar cause with one as with the other. When HORSES are attacked with it, they are said to have the YELLOWS; which name it also goes by with farmers and country practitioners, when it is observed to make its appearance among what they term "the cow cattle." It proceeds from a partial and imperfect secretion, or temporary obstruction of the gall through the biliary duct, which being compulsively regurgitated, diffuses a tinge of its property through every part of the system, constituting the distinguishing appearance from which the disorder derives its name. When proceeding from this cause, and a proper mode of treatment is adopted in the earliest instance, but little trouble is known to follow, and a certain cure is soon obtained; but should tubercles in, or a schirrosity of, the liver, or an induration of its collateral glandular parts, have proved the cause, more patience, time, and medical perseverance, will be required, before a perfect cure can be expected or obtained.

The leading symptoms of this disorder in a HORSE are, a dulness of the head and debility of the body, heaviness about the eyes, head hanging drowsily in the manger, loss of appetite, pulse both languid and low, a laborious respiration, and daily reduction of flesh. Soon after these symptoms successively come on, they are followed by a yellowness of the inside of the eye-lids, the lips, the tongue, and the bars of the mouth; even the urine is of a saffron colour. In this state, from an evident deficiency in the corresponding secretions, and a proportional inaction of the dependent emunctories, nature becomes universally overcharged, and labours under the sluggish debility already described. Bracken, who understood this disorder perfectly, and described it most accurately, plainly perceived, the certainty of cure depended entirely upon removing such obstructions as soon as possible after their first appearance, before the disorder had made any progress towards inveteracy or long standing: to effect which, he judiciously recommends purgatives, with a large proportion of English saffron and Turkey rhubarb. 'Tis true, the great efficacy of the different preparations of MERCURY, as DEOBSTRUENTS, was not so well known in his time, as at the present moment, or the MERCURIUS DULCIS would have been introduced as a powerful assistant upon the occasion. Proceeding in a scientific disquisition of the disorder, he recommends hepatic deobstruents, with soap, salt of tartar, turmeric, soap of tartar, and filings of iron, fully convinced, as he says, of their efficacy, after the most satisfactory and repeated trials.

Upon the subject he observes, "The soap of tartar, &c. operates powerfully upon the obstructions in the liver, which are the cause of the jaundice, and help to carry off the offending matter by urine. And as the term DIURETIC is oftener used than understood, I shall give the reader a short account of the operation of diuretics. Under the term diuretic may be comprehended all those medicines whose most remarkable properties appear in their increasing the discharge by urine, or which are supposed to have any power in removing obstructions of the urinary glands, or passages, from what cause soever, whether humours, gravel, or other offending matter. And in this view, diuretics come under these following kinds; to wit, they are either such as soften and lubricate the fibres composing the urinary glands and canals, by which they yield and relax into their due dimensions and capacities, of which kinds are all emollients already explained; or they are such as, by their attenuating and detersive properties, rarify and thin viscous or slimy humours, and adhere or carry them along the passages: or, again, they must be such as have a power of so altering the crafts or mixture of the humours, as to fit those to pass which could not get through before; and of this kind is the soap of tartar, as well as all the tribe of lixivials and fixed salts."

Gentle DEOBSTRUENTS, which additionally excite the secretion, and promote the discharge of urine, are known to act upon the motion as well as the property of the BLOOD, by stimulating the solids, and quickening their vibrations, thereby increasing the blood's velocity, and promoting its attenuation. Hence it is, those diuretics recommended by Bracken are peculiarly adapted to this, and such other disorders as originate in sluggish viscid habits, where the blood becomes too adhesive for regular circulation. He is of opinion, "That the JAUNDICE in HORSES mostly proceeds from a diminution or decay of the animal salts contained in the blood, and therefore the addition of such kind of salts must restore the creature to soundness of body." He also says, "he is fully persuaded that Castile soap, dissolved in white wine, or even in beer, will cure the disorder in its earliest stage; and that those who may be inclined to try it upon a HORSE in the yellows, may mix an ounce in two quarts of beer, and give it at four times, a pint a day, either warm or cold, letting the horse have exercise; for the jaundice occasions a sluggish laziness in either man or beast, therefore exercise is proper to hinder the fluids from forming preternatural cohesions, which lay the foundation of the distemper."

However right he may have been in his opinion and practice, in the less enlightened time in which he wrote, (two thirds of a century since,) it may be reasonably presumed, that the many great and astonishing improvements in chemistry, and discoveries in medicine, have thrown some new lights upon the cure of this, as well as of many other disorders, the causes of which are not obscured by the least mist of ambiguity. It is not only clearly ascertained, but generally known, that the jaundice in horses (if attended to upon the first appearance of bilious regurgitation, before the obstructions are become rigidly permanent, constituting an induration of the liver or glands) submits to a course of mild mercurial purging balls properly administered; followed by a few alteratives, composed of ÆTHIOPS MINERAL, incorporated with the PECTORAL CORDIAL BALL. See List of Medicines at the End of the Work.

JAWS Knotted.

—Tumefactions under the jaws of horses, for want of a more technical or scientific definition, gave rise to the sublime term of knotted jaws; which, however, tends to no distinction, or to any particular description; although tumors may be frequently found there of different kinds, produced by, or arising from, many different causes. Temporary tumefactions of the glands may originate in COLD, and sometimes as suddenly disappear upon a perfect recovery from the cause. Inflammatory tumors form these, as upon the attack of the STRANGLES, or from a foulness and viscidity of the blood; in either of which, relief can only be obtained by speedily promoting suppuration. Glandular tumors sometimes form these, become indurated and stationary, never producing pain or inconvenience during the life of the horse. Others, of a much more critical and dangerous description, make their appearance there also, and are the certain prognostic of FARCY GLANDERS. Some professional knowledge, and judicious discrimination, is absolutely necessary, to distinguish between one and the other in the first instance, the better to regulate (if necessary) the mode of treatment in the next. In all simple tumors arising from cold, local circumstances, or temporary inconvenience, hot fomentation daily, with a sponge or flannel dipt in a decoction of aromatic garden herbs, and afterwards kept in a state of equal temperature with a double flannel and hood, will be found to expedite obliteration, by promoting an early and plentiful discharge from the nostrils. All swellings under the jaws which are painful upon pressure, indicate a tendency to suppuration, which cannot be too soon promoted by such stimulative poultices as may be thought most applicable to the purpose.

IMPOSTHUME

.—An imposthume is that kind of inflammatory enlargement, or swelling, which terminates in a formation of matter, produced by an effort of Nature to relieve herself from some offending morbidity under which she labours. Its progress will be found under the head Abscess, with which it is synonymous, and where the danger of attempting repulsion is fully explained.

IMPERFECTIONS

.—The term, so far as it is applied to horses, implies little more than what is to be seen under the different heads of Blemishes and Defects. A horse may be very found, handsome, and valuable, yet he may have imperfections not arising from, or originating in, blemishes; as well as not amounting to what is meant to be conveyed by the idea of defects. Imperfections may be considered as slight drawbacks upon excellence, which, although they do not very considerably reduce the intrinsic value of the horse, yet he would be much better without them; as warmth or violence of temper, when put into action with any other horse in company; shying or starting, either in meeting or passing a carriage; uneasy and restless in mounting or dismounting; aukwardness in the gait of any particular leg, although it may not impede the velocity of action.

INJECTIONS

.—Many medical solutions and lotions are so called; though the word more properly applies only to such compositions as are prepared solely for the purpose of being conveyed by means of an instrument, called a long-necked syringe, (formed of either ivory or pewter,) into such remote cavities, or sinuses, as may be formed by accident, imposthume, or disease, in any part of the body.

INTERFERE

.—A horse was formerly said to interfere, when one fetlock-joint received an injury in action, by a cut or blow from the foot of the other leg. The term, however, is completely out of use; and a horse subject to this defect is now said to cut. See Cutting.

JOCKEY

.—This term, in its particular and most confined signification, implies the person who actually rides a horse for PLATE, MATCH, SUBSCRIPTION, SWEEPSTAKES, or any other PRIZE; but custom and provincial forms have been productive of local deviations. To say in one district, that any man is "a good jockey," means no more, than that he is a good HORSEMAN. In another, to say he is "quite A JOCKEY," is to communicate an idea, that he is very little, if any, better than a swindler, and exceedingly well qualified to jockey any person with whom he has a trading transaction. Horse-dealers, till within the last half century, passed under the regular denomination of jockies in every market town and country fair in the kingdom; from which indefinite description they are now relieved by the kind intention of his Majesty's Ministers, who have since STAMPED them with a badge of professional dignity, and enjoined an annual pecuniary contribution for the distinction.

Jockey, in the present universal acceptation of the word with the superior classes of society, as well as the sporting world at large, is applied merely to the RIDERS of RUNNING HORSES; upon the prevailing superiority of whose speed, and the untainted integrity of the JOCKIES who are entrusted to regulate that SPEED, immense sums annually depend. Where so much unlimited confidence is reposed, it is almost natural to conclude, an adequate integrity would be insured. Time, that unerring monitor, and invariable criterion of truth, has long since demonstrated the fallacy of such philosophic and philanthropic expectation: the depravity of human nature has so repeatedly rendered the experiment abortive, that numbers, upon the stroke of whose whip, or the regulation of whose rein, thousands upon thousands were frequently depending, have finished the career of life, without a garment, without a shilling, without the common necessaries of life, and without one friendly finger of commiseration to close the eye of contrite misery, at the tremendous moment of passing that "bourne from whence no traveller returns;" while many other professors of the same art die possessed of an immensity of property. Whether one has been more fortunate than another in always being on the right side, or more fortunate in escaping detection, it is not the privilege or intent of these pages to explore; suffice it, therefore, to observe, that the HONOR, PROBITY, and personal INTEGRITY of a JOCKEY, should, like the VIRTUE of a WOMAN, be not only pure, but unsuspected. Although it is well known large fortunes have been acquired by some individuals intimately and secretly connected with the turf and its dependencies, yet it is not likely that JOCKIES, and their numerous emissaries, should accumulate wealth, unless a very considerable proportion of certainty was invariably annexed to the speculation. See Horse Racing, Turf, and Training.

JOCKEY CLUB

—is a sporting establishment of the higher order, originally instituted, and still held, at Newmarket, composed of noblemen, gentlemen, and the most distinguished sporting characters in the kingdom, who are elected by ballot, for the better exclusion of such as may be thought improper persons to be admitted members of so honorable and eminent a society. The Jockey Club, in their collective capacity, are considered the only supreme court to which any SPORTING APPEAL can be made; and their award or decision is abided by as final, whenever solicited. All transactions within the official departments of the Stewards, the Keeper of the Match Book, the Judge, and every subordinate, is regulated by a system of invariable punctuality, equal to the first offices in the State; in confirmation of which, the following are introduced as well worthy of being known and admired (for the equity of their adoption) in every part of the world.

RULES and ORDERS.

Respecting Riders.—Every person who shall ride at Newmarket for PLATE, SWEEPSTAKES, or MATCH, shall be obliged to weigh when he comes in, allowing two pounds above the weight, and no more. Every rider who shall neglect to obey this resolution, is guilty of contempt of the orders of this Club, and shall be disqualified from RIDING hereafter at Newmarket; unless any gentleman, or his rider, shall declare, before starting, that the rider is above the weight allowed of by the aforesaid resolution.

Forfeits.—The forfeits of all bets shall be paid according to the proportion in which the principals compromise their matches.

Members of the Coffee House.—Any person desirous of being admitted into the Coffee Room, Newmarket, must be proposed by a Member of the Jockey Club, and his name put over the chimney and door the day before he is to be ballotted for; that there must be at least twelve Members present at the ballot, and three black balls exclude.

Horses entered for Two or more Prizes.—The owner of every horse, &c. entered to run for two or more prizes on the same day, shall, for the future, be obliged to declare to the Keeper of the Match Book, before eight o'clock in the evening, preceding the day of running, which of the said prizes he intends to start his horse for; and the said Keeper of the Match Book shall immediately declare it in the Coffee Room.

Annual Dinner.—To meet annually at dinner on the day preceding the King's Birth Day. That three Members of the Club shall be appointed Stewards, and to commence their office on the fourth of June annually. One new Steward to be appointed every year, on the third day of June, by the Steward who quits on that day, subject to the approbation of the Members of the Jockey Club then present. The senior Steward to quit his office on the third of June annually.

The Three Stewards, or any two of them, shall be vested with full power to make such regulations as they think proper, in regard to the Exercise Ground and the Course. The three Stewards, concurring, shall have it in their power to appoint such person, or persons, as they may chuse, to keep the Coffee House, Match Book, receive the STAKES, collect the entrance money, and all other FUNDS belonging to the Jockey Club. The Stewards are to be responsible to the Jockey Club for all the money collected, as belonging to the Jockey Club. The Stewards shall have it in their power to fix the hours of starting for each match, &c. but they shall be obliged to fix those hours of starting by eight o'clock in the evening preceding the day of running. The accounts are to be produced by the Stewards annually, on the third of June.

Watching Trials.—Any gentleman who keeps running horses, having cause to complain of any FEEDER, RIDER, GROOM, BOY, or other person employed by him in, or intrusted with, the knowledge of trials, or having discovered them, directly or indirectly, by betting, or wilfully in any other way, (unless so allowed to do by his master;) or if any person, as aforesaid, living with any gentleman, shall be discovered in watching trials himself, or procuring other persons so to do, or by any unfair means whatsoever, endeavouring to discover trials; on such complaint being carried to any one of the Stewards, that Steward is to summon a general Jockey Club meeting so soon as convenient; which meeting is to appoint a Committee of three Members, to examine into the accusation; and in case they shall be of opinion, that the person, or persons, is, or are, guilty, then the person so found guilty shall be dismissed from the service of his master, and the said person shall not be employed by any Member of the Jockey Club in any capacity whatsoever; nor shall any horse, &c. fed or rode by him, or them, or in the management of which he or they are concerned, be suffered to start for PLATE, MATCH, or SUBSCRIPTION. And the names of the persons found guilty of these offences shall be exposed in the Racing Calendar, and inserted in a paper to be fixed up in the Coffee Room at Newmarket.

Staking, Shewing, and Entering.—That a copy of all the stakes to be made for matches, subscriptions, and sweepstakes, and the day and hour of shewing, or entering, shall be fairly written out, and fixed up, by order of the Stewards, on the side of the chimney-piece, at each end of the Coffee Room, on the Sunday evening before each meeting; to continue there each day of the meeting, as notice for staking, shewing, or entering; and no other shall be insisted upon.

Entry of Stakes.—A day-book shall be kept by the person appointed by the Stewards, and continue in the Coffee Room, in which shall be entered an account of all matches, subscriptions, and sweepstakes, to be run for each day within that meeting; and as the different stakes are made, the payments shall be marked to the names of the persons so paying.

Stakes, how to be made.—All stakes shall be made in cash, bank bills, bank post bills properly indorsed, bankers notes payable to bearer, or bankers notes payable to order, also properly indorsed, and not otherwise, without the consent of the party or parties present, concerned in the MATCH, SUBSCRIPTION, or SWEEPSTAKES, on whose account such stakes are made.

Time when.—All stakes for matches, subscriptions, and sweepstakes, shall be made before starting for the same; and in default thereof by any person, he shall forfeit in like manner as if he had not produced his colt, filly, horse, or mare, to start; and shall have no claim to the stake or stakes of the MATCH, SUBSCRIPTION, or SWEEPSTAKES, should his colt, filly, horse, or mare, have started, and come first; and this to remain in full force, as an established agreement of the Jockey Club; unless such person has previously obtained the consent of the party or parties present, with whom he is engaged, to dispense with his making his stake as aforesaid.

Forfeits when to be paid.—All forfeits unpaid before starting, for any MATCH, SUBSCRIPTION, or SWEEPSTAKES, shall be paid to the person appointed by the Stewards to receive the same, at the Coffee Room, before twelve o'clock at night, of the day such forfeits are determined; and each person making default therein, shall forfeit and pay to the person so appointed by the said Stewards, after the rate of five pounds for every hundred pounds so forfeited; which shall be disposed of by the said Stewards towards such uses as they shall think fit.

Bets made from Signal.—And in order to prevent such frauds, notice shall be given, that if any person make any bet or bets, from signal or indication, after the race has been determined at the post, such person is not entitled to receive, or liable to pay, the same; as such bet or bets are fraudulent, illegal, and totally void; and that if any servant belonging to a Member of the Society should be found to have made, or to have been engaged in the making, any such bet or bets, he shall be dismissed his service, and no farther employed by any Member of this Society.

Forfeits and Compromises to be entered.—That all forfeits, or money paid on compromising any match or sweepstakes, shall BONA FIDE be declared and entered in the day-book, in order that all BETTORS may be put upon an equality with the persons who had the match or sweepstakes, and may thus ascertain in what proportion they are to pay or receive.

Age of young Horses.—The Stewards shall appoint some proper person to examine every COLT or FILLY, being of the age of two, three, or four years, at the ending post, immediately after running, the first time any colt or filly shall start for any plate, match, sweepstakes, or subscription, at Newmarket; and the said appointed person is to sign a certificate of such examination, and his opinion thereupon, which certificate is to be hung up before eight o'clock the evening of the said day of running in the Coffee Room at Newmarket. But for all plates, matches, subscriptions, or sweepstakes, where the colt or filly is required to be shewn before running, the examination shall be made at the time of shewing them; and the certificate of the person appointed, shall immediately, in like manner, be fixed up in the Coffee Room at Newmarket.

Time of Starting and Forfeit.—The hours of starting shall be fixed up in the Coffee House by eight o'clock in the evening preceding the day of running; and it is expected that every groom shall start at the time appointed; and any groom failing so to do, shall forfeit FIVE GUINEAS each time to the Jockey Club. It is also expected, that every groom will attend to the regulations and orders which the Stewards of the Jockey Club may give relative to the preservation of the Course and Exercise Ground.

Trials.—That no person do borrow or hire any horse, &c. not belonging to his avowed confederates, to run in a private trial, without entering the name of such horse, before the trial shall be run, in the book appointed to be kept for that purpose in the Coffee Room at Newmarket; and no persons to be deemed confederates, who do not subscribe this article as such.

Disputes.—All disputes relative to racing at Newmarket, shall, for the future, be determined by the three Stewards, and two referees, to be chosen by the parties concerned. If there should be only two Stewards present, they are to fix upon a third person in lieu of the absent Steward.

Winner undecided.—That if for any sweepstakes, or subscription, the first two horses shall come in so near together, that the judge shall not be able to decide which won, those two horses shall run for such prize over again, after the last match on the same day. The other horses which started for such sweepstakes or subscription shall be deemed losers, and entitled to their respective places, as if the race had been finally determined the first time.

Single and double Bets.—That all bets determined by one event shall be subject (as before agreed) to any compromise made by the principals, and paid in proportion to such compromise; but that all double bets shall, for the future, (on account of the frequent disputes which have arisen,) be considered as PLAY or PAY bets.

Weight, when not specified.—When any match or sweepstakes shall be made, and no particular weight specified, the horses, &c. shall carry eight stone, seven pounds, each. And if any weight is given, the highest weight is, by this resolution, fixed at eight stone, seven pounds.

Horses engaged, when to enter.—No horse, that is matched to run on the day of entrance for any plate, &c. shall be obliged to shew and enter at the hour appointed, but shall shew and enter within an hour after his engagements are over, provided such horse, &c. be NAMED at the usual time of entrance, which is to be between the hours of eleven and one, for all plates, subscriptions, and sweepstakes, where any entrance is required, and no other particular time specified.

Bets between two Horses void.—That all bets depending between any two horses, either in MATCH or SWEEPSTAKES, are null and void, if those horses become the property of one and the same person, or his avowed confederate, subsequent to the bets being made.

Challenge for the Cup.—That the CUP be challenged for on the Monday in the First Spring Meeting; and the horses named for it declared at six o'clock on the Saturday evening of the same meeting.

The Whip.—That the whip be challenged for on the Monday or Tuesday in the Second Spring or Second October Meeting; and the acceptance signified, or the whip resigned, before the end of the same Meeting. If challenged for, and accepted, in the Spring, to be run for on the Thursday in the Second October Meeting following; and if in the October, on the Thursday in the Second Spring Meeting. Beacon Course; weight, TEN STONE; and to stake 200 guineas each.

Five per Cent. saved in Forfeits.—The proprietor of any horse, &c. engaged in MATCH or SWEEPSTAKES, who shall declare his intention of not starting before eight o'clock on the evening preceding the engagement, to the Keeper of the Match Book, or either of the Stewards, shall be entitled to five per cent. and no more, of the forfeit.

Not Staking, a Disqualification in future.—No person shall be allowed to start any horse, mare, or gelding, for MATCH, SWEEPSTAKES, or SUBSCRIPTION, unless he shall have paid all former stakes and forfeits to the Keeper of the Match Book by eight o'clock the evening before starting.

Trial Ground.—That the ground shall not be engaged for trials, by the proprietors of any stables of running horses, more than two days in the same week.

Crossing and Jostling.—That when any match is made, in which crossing and jostling are not mentioned, they shall be understood to be barred.

Courses.—That when any match or sweepstakes is made, in which no course is mentioned, it shall be understood to be the course usually run by horses of the same age as those engaged, viz. if yearlings, the Yearling Course; if two years old, the Two Years Old Course; if three years old, Rowley's Mile; if four years old, Ditchin; if five years old, or upwards, Beacon Course. And in case the horses matched should be of different ages, the course to be settled by the age of the youngest.

Forfeits.—That all forfeits, declared or incurred for any MATCH, SWEEPSTAKES, or SUBSCRIPTION, shall be paid to the Keeper of the Match Book before twelve o'clock on the evening the race is run, under the former penalty of five per cent. to the Jockey Club; and persons making default herein, shall not be allowed the deduction for the timely declaration of such profits.

Entering and Shewing.—Horses, &c. entered for plates or subscriptions, shall not be required to be shewn, if such horse, &c. has before started at Newmarket; and the owner of each horse entered for a plate or subscription, shall declare to the Stewards, or the Keeper of the Match Book, the evening before by eight o'clock, or when the list is read, at half past nine o'clock, whether his horse is intended to RUN or NOT, which declaration shall be deemed obligatory, if in the AFFIRMATIVE, unless the horse be taken ill, or matched; and if in the NEGATIVE, his name shall be erased from the list.

Ten per Cent. saved in Forfeits.—That the owners of horses, &c. engaged in MATCHES or SWEEPSTAKES, in which the forfeits shall amount to ONE HUNDRED GUINEAS, or upwards, shall be entitled to a deduction of TEN PER CENT. if they declare their forfeits by half an hour past nine o'clock the evening before running.

Trials.—No gentleman shall try the horse of any other person, except his declared confederate, without giving notice of such trial, by inscribing the name of such horse, or horses, or their pedigrees, with the names of their owners, before or immediately after such trials, in the Book at the Coffee House.

Under a set of RULES and REGULATIONS so judiciously formed, so unanimously adopted, and so willingly acquiesced in, it is natural to conceive, every thing has been introduced, and every measure adopted, that could be thought equitable and necessary, towards shielding the property of opulent and eminent individuals from the depredations of those rapacious sharks, and determined adventurers, (as well in HIGH as in low life,) with which every avenue to the TURF has been infested for near a century past; and which nothing can totally prevent, but drawing such heterogeneous line, as will infallibly exclude those nefarious, well known pests from the superior, liberal, and unsuspecting classes of society, who do honor to their country.

JOCKEYSHIP

—is a term sometimes used in a metaphorical sense, alluding to the dealings of individuals, where one, by a superior degree of knowledge, cunning, artifice, or chicanery, obtains in a bargain considerable advantage over the other. Its principal signification, however, in its literal meaning, and frequent use, applies more particularly to the peculiar excellence, or personal ability, of JOCKIES, (alias riders,) whose sole avocation it is to train and ride horses for the different PLATES and PRIZES at Newmarket, and various other parts of the kingdom. This has always been held a systematic employment of GREAT TRUST, (but very little responsibility,) requiring considerable bodily strength, much personal fortitude, and cool intrepidity, constitutional taciturnity, and a kind of habitual insensibility in respect to passion, which should be studiously reduced to a degree of professional apathy, never to be roused into action by the occasional irritations of a designing opponent. The great and leading qualifications which constitute the predominant traits of distinguished JOCKEYSHIP, are to acquire a complete knowledge of the prevalent points, speed, temper, mouth, and perfections or defects, of the horse before starting; to ascertain, as well as it can be accomplished, a tolerable idea, whether it will be most in his favor to insure the WHIP-HAND, or decline it; to take the lead, or leave it, and wait upon his adversary; whether to make play, depending upon BLOOD and BOTTOM, or to lay by, and rely upon speed: all these, and a variety of other contingencies dependent upon judgment, as well as a still longer list, which must ever be equally dependent upon the sole effect of CHANCE, (beyond the utmost extent of human efforts to counteract,) seem combined to render jockeyship a very arduous task, and equally precarious means of acquiring universal approbation and celebrity. For as it may be considered an impracticability to become always a WINNER, so, from the occasional discontent and disappointments of dissatisfied employers, a RIDER must frequently have reason to exclaim, (though silently,) "Vain his attempt who strives to please ye all."

JOHN BULL

,—the name of a horse of much celebrity both as a RACER and a STALLION; having been deemed, by the best judges, a horse of the greatest strength, and the most beautiful and corresponding symmetry, ever produced in this kingdom. He was bred by the late Lord Grosvenor; foaled in 1789; got by Fortitude, dam (Xantippe) by Eclipse; her dam (Grecian Princess) by Williams's Forester, &c. &c. Monday, in the Craven Newmarket Meeting, 1792, when three years old, he won the great produce stakes of 200 guineas each, half forfeit, across the flat, 35 subscribers; beating Ormond, Hotspur, Whisky, St. Paul, Lucifer, and three others. At Epsom, in May the same year, he won the Derby Stakes of 50 guineas each, 32 subscribers; beating Speculator, Bustard, Lyricus, St. George, Whisky, and the Duke of Queensbury's colt by Pharasmond. Soon after which, sustaining an injury, he paid 300 guineas forfeit to Lord Foley's Vermin, and became a stallion, 1796, at 20 guineas a mare; covering the first year only a limited number (ten) except those of his owner. He is the sire of Admiral Nelson, Lady Bull, Alfred, Florist, Fortitude, Georgina, Muly Molech, Gazer, and Lady Katherine; and being now at the very zenith of prosperity, promises a progeny of as much celebrity as the best and most esteemed of his cotemporaries.

JOHNNY

—was the first horse of his year, and then esteemed the best in England. He was bred by Lord Clermont, and foaled in 1769; was got by Matchem, dam by Babraham, grand-dam by Partner, great grand-dam by Bloody Buttocks, great, great grand-dam by Greyhound, out of Brocklesby Betty.

JOHNNY

,—a horse of more recent date, and of a different blood, was the property of Mr. Durand, and proved a country plate horse of some celebrity. He was got by King Fergus, dam by Justice, and was foaled in 1794. At three years old he won a fifty pound plate at Alfriston, and two fifties at Egham. The year following he won 50l. at Ascot, beating Ploughator and Dispute. 50l. at Lewes, beating Greyhound and Outcast. 50l. at Canterbury, beating Doubtful, Ploughator, Quietus, and Ratafia. 50l. at Egham, beating Will, King John, Greyhound, Lord Egremont's Bugle, and three others. 50l. at Newmarket, beating Parisot, Sober Robin, Centinel, and High Eagle. In 1799 he won a Handicap Plate at Newmarket, beating Wrangler and Outcast. 50l. at Epsom. 50l. at Winchester. The Petworth Stakes (10 guineas each, seventeen subscribers) at Brighton; beating Bobtail, Lounger, Heart of Oak, Opposition, Speculator, and Wrangler. The Ladies Plate of 60 guineas at Lewes, beating Wrangler, Gohanna, Sparrowhawk, Magic, and Sir F. Poole's Brother to Waxy; and 50l. at Canterbury, beating Mr. Crosoer's Dairy Maid. In the following year, 1800, he started but once, which was at Epsom. It is supposed he sustained some injury, as he was then withdrawn from the turf.

JOINTS

.—The joints of horses are subject to rheumatic pains and affections, in some proportional degree with those of the human species, and require professional judgment to discriminate between what are really so, and what may proceed from other causes. Strict attention, and accurate observation, have clearly ascertained and established the fact, that horses are frequently attacked with, and labour under, a CHRONIC RHEUMATISM, which is as frequently treated like, and mistaken for, a confirmed lameness, erroneously supposed to have originated in a very different cause. The joints, notwithstanding the peculiar strength of their formation, are also liable to, and susceptible of, very serious, alarming and permanent injuries, by short turns, and sudden twists, out of as well as within the stable; and it is readily to be believed, more of these are occasioned by carelessness, inadvertency, and the most shameful inattention of servants, than from any accidental causes whatever.

JOURNEY

.—Journeys are, from various motives, very differently undertaken, and by different degrees of people, according to their various situations, or peculiar avocations, as actuated by the state of their private concerns; whether influenced by a love of pleasure, the pursuit of novelty, prompted by business, or urged by necessity. Amidst which infinity of travellers, there are thousands, particularly in the metropolis, who know nothing of the management of the very valuable and useful companion, upon whose health and safety the pleasure and success of the journey must principally depend. Horses, in general, are so cruelly treated, and so inconsiderately neglected by those who are entire strangers to the attentions they require, and the comforts they stand in need of, that a few general hints cannot be considered inapplicable; at least to such as wish to improve their judgment, and acquire knowledge, from practical experience.

The prudent traveller will never commence a journey of length, without every necessary precaution that can be adopted for general safety during the whole; he will insure to a certainty, by personal examination, the shape, make, fixing, and firmness of his horse's shoes, as the most indispensible prelude to the success of his progress, it being one great step to the prevention of trouble and disquietude. He will observe that every part of his apparatus is sufficiently strong and durable for the purpose, that he may not be likely to encounter the mortification of repairs upon the road; as well as that his BRIDLE is properly adapted to the MOUTH, and the SADDLE to the BACK of the horse. A sore back, or lacerated lips, are sad concomitants in a tedious or a dreary journey. He will also remember at setting off, that the animal he bestrides is formed of materials by no means dissimilar to his own; that he is composed of fibres, nerves, tendons, muscles, flesh, blood and bone; that these are all perishable commodities, liable to accident, sickness, and dissolution; that he has also his passions, his sensations, his appetites, his wants, his pains, and his pleasures. Not possessed of the pleasing powers of communication by speech, it is a duty incumbent upon the rider, not only to speak for, but to take care of (in the strictest meaning of the words) an object so little capable of taking care of itself.

Having all these things in humane recollection, he will advert to the state of the roads, and the season of the year: the mode of treatment, and manner of travelling proper in one, might be improper in the other. Observation should be made upon the constitutional stamen, and innate properties, of the horse, in respect to power and action, that his paces and progress should be regulated in proportion. One may with ease travel EIGHTEEN or TWENTY miles at a stage, with strength and vigour less diminished, than another may twelve; and this it is the more necessary to know and observe, because a horse overworked, or overfatigued, in the early part, very frequently never recovers himself during the whole of a journey. It is a judicious maxim, and should be rigidly adhered to, never to ride or drive horses at an immoderate or unreasonable pace at first setting off in a morning; the carcase being full, brisk action occasions much uneasiness, if not pain; and a horse never goes with comfort to himself till relieved by frequent evacuation. Those who are properly attentive to their own interest in the preservation of their horse, will regulate their pace (as well as the length of their stage) by the HEAT of the WEATHER in SUMMER, or the DEPTH of the ROAD in the WINTER, each having equal and distinct effects upon the strength, and exertion of power, in the horse, as the other.

Much of management at inns depends upon the state a horse is in upon his arrival; none, but fools or madmen, bring them to the termination of a stage in a stream of perspiration; if so, proper attention and treatment cannot be expected, where there are so many to be served beside themselves. Leading a horse about to cool in the WINTER, washing the dirt off by plunging him into a pond, or washing his legs in a stable-yard, are equally destructive, and produce a combination of ills, in colds, bad eyes, swelled legs, cracked heels, and other inconveniences, productive of repentance, when repentance comes too late. Whether the date of perspiration he is in be much or little, the mode of treatment should be proportionally the same. After being permitted to stale, the head and fore quarters should first undergo the ceremony of brisk wisping, or rough dressing, with good clean sweet straw; then turning his head to the rack, (where some sweet hay has been previously deposited,) the hind-quarters and legs experience the same operation; at which time, and not before, the saddle should be taken off, and the general dressing of the carcase and legs should be completed, admitting or excluding external air, according to the season of the year, by which all conditional circumstances must be regulated of course. The examination of the SHOES, the state of the FEET, WARBLES, bowel galls, or injuries by unequal pressure from, or friction of, the saddle, are contingencies too necessary, and too sublime, for the head of an ostler; he leaves possibilities of that kind to be discovered by those whom it more materially concerns; and the principal must therefore look to it HIMSELF, if he expects to be unequivocally satisfied upon those points. Feeding and WATERING depend also upon time, circumstances, and the season; it being the duty of the owner to know whether the horse will eat his corn if he has it; for it is not in the indispensible department of the OSTLER to give a horse an ill name, by proclaiming him a bad feeder. Under which combination of contingencies, dependent upon travelling, it is no bad plan to SEE the horse have his CORN, as well as to KNOW whether he EATS it; for no man can travel with so much judgment and satisfaction, as he who knows the internal support his horse has to work upon.

Horses jaded, and completely fatigued, with long and dirty journies, in dull, dreary, and sometimes tempestuous, weather, are so entirely debilitated, that they prefer REST to FOOD, and can hardly be kept upon their legs, to go through the necessary comforts of dressing and cleaning as an unavoidable prelude to the more substantial relief of the night. In such state they require a little extra attention; an invigorating CORDIAL BALL, so soon as it can possibly be obtained;was a horse of much temporary note a mash of ground malt, and bran equal parts; in want of the malt, a mash of bran and oats, made of boiling water, and six ounces, or half a pound, of honey, may be introduced as a substantial substitute. The water should not be from the pump, but soft, as from a rainy reservoir, or the river, with the chill taken off: if in the winter, the clothing should be warm; the bed plentiful, high, clean, and dry; as well as all such crevices closely stopped as admit currents of air; by which precaution, not only temporary ills, but dangerous diseases, are frequently prevented.

ITCHING

.—Horses are sometimes observed to labor under a severe itching, or internal irritation, which keeps them in a kind of perpetual disquietude; biting such parts as they can get at with the mouth, and rubbing those more remote against such parts of the stall as are most convenient, by which the hair is frequently rubbed off, and the skin excoriated. In cases of this description, the blood does not possess a proper or just equalization of the component parts indispensibly necessary to the standard of health. It mostly arises from a deficiency of crassamentum, or adhesive property of the blood, by which it becomes more or less impoverished, and abounds with a redundancy of SERUM; this, for want of its natural corrector, acquires ACRIMONY, and soon begins to display its mischievous power and tendency to cutaneous morbidity in the way described. Permitted to continue and increase, without salutary counteraction, it extends its progress from a simple itching, in the first instance, to scurfy eruptions, scaly exfoliations, or partial loss of hair; bearing the external appearance of surfeit, degenerating, by degrees, to inveterate MANGE, or confirmed FARCY. To prevent which, the system should be improved, and the circulation enlivened, by an invigoration of the frame: the property of the blood should be enriched by an ADDITION to the QUANTITY, and an ALTERATION in the QUALITY of the food. A great deal of substantial dressing should be adopted in the stable, and regular gentle exercise out; as a collateral aid to which, a course of ANTIMONIAL ALTERATIVE POWDERS should be brought into use, till every symptom of disquietude has disappeared.

JUGGED

—is a professional or technical term with the horse-dealing and stabularian fraternity; and implies a horse's having tumefactions, indurated or inflammatory, under the jaws. But when used in a more serious and emphatic sense among themselves, it is to convey an idea, that the horse said to be jugged, is infected with the GLANDERS.

JUSTICE

—was a horse of considerable note both as a RUNNER and a STALLION: he was bred by the late Lord Grosvenor; was foaled in 1774; got by Herod, out of Curiosity, (who was got by Snap,) her dam by Regulus, and grand-dam by Bartlet's Childers. Without obtaining any distinguished celebrity, he for many years maintained his ground as a stallion above mediocrity, and produced some tolerable racers: amongst the best of which were Æacus, Mentor, Minos, Rhadamanthus, Dedalus, and Midnight.

K.

KEEPERS

—are of different kinds, acting under different appointments, as servants of the Crown, or of individuals. There are FOREST-keepers, PARK-keepers, and GAME-keepers, whose employments are distinct and separate from each other. It is the province of the first to protect and superintend the DEER in any one of his Majesty's forests, to which he is appointed, and to become a principal instrument of enforcing the laws enacted for its preservation, against depredators of every description. Park-keepers are retained in the service of NOBLEMEN and GENTLEMEN who have parks stocked with deer, having the same perquisites and privileges as those employed in the service of the Crown; their employment is principally to superintend, preserve, and regulate the stock, as well as to kill BUCKS, DOES, and FAWNS, according to the season, when required for the table; which can never be done by any PARK-keeper of the Crown, without the receipt of a proper WARRANT previously issued from superior authority for that purpose. Game-keepers are employed in various forests, parks, chases, free-warrens, and manors, the property of the Crown, to furnish a constant supply of game for his Majesty's table and household, under such regulations as prevent the possibility of too great an influx at one time, and too short a supply at another. Every LORD or LADY possessing a manor within any part of the kingdom, has the power of appointing a person, under the denomination of a GAME-keeper, to protect, preserve, or KILL any kind of GAME upon the particular MANOR for which he is appointed; and to execute and enforce all such other manorial rights and privileges within the department, as may be submitted to his delegation; he first conforming to the LEGAL prescription, before he can be confirmed, or qualified to act in the office to which he has been deputed.—See Game-Laws, and Game-Keepers.

KENNEL

—is the place where hounds are kept; upon the judicious construction of which, their health, safety, and preservation, are known greatly to depend. Those who take to, or become possessed of, KENNELS ready built, frequently continue them in the form they fall into their hands; but such as encounter the expence of new erections, cannot do better than take a previous survey of the most approved plans; amongst which the Duke of Bedford's, at Wooburn Abby; the Duke of Richmond's, at Goodwood, in Sussex; and Sir William Rowley's, at Tendring Hall, Suffolk, are supposed, for extent and convenience, to take the lead of most others in the kingdom. Taste and FASHION may go a great way in the external glare of such establishments; but HEALTH and CONVENIENCE should always prove the most predominant considerations. It is universally admitted, by all who have a practical knowledge of this subject, that in large and regularly-hunted packs, two kennels are indispensibly necessary to the success and well-doing of the whole. When there is but one, it can in the winter season be but seldom cleaned; and even then the hounds are in a comfortless state, from the dampness of the situation so long as it remains. Cleanliness is so essentially necessary in every APARTMENT and DEPARTMENT of a kennel, that no continuance of health in the hounds, or excellence in the field, can be expected without it. They are individually innately clean; and will never, if they can avoid it, dung near where they lie. Air, fresh straw, and ample room for the occasional expansion of their weary limbs, are requisite for the invigoration of the frame, and the preservation of health. Hounds confined in a body, are more liable to disease, than the same animal single, and in a state of unrestrained liberty; hence the necessity for counteraction, by every means the most prudent precaution can adopt. Hounds thus subject to, and constantly attacked with disease, and even madness, under the best and most judicious management, must be evidently much more so if surrounded with filth and nastiness.

That some idea may be formed of the grandeur of the buildings, and the liberal scale, of the most celebrated hunting establishments, it is only necessary to introduce a few explanatory remarks upon the kennels of eminence already mentioned. The superb edifice of the Duke of Richmond is said (and probably with great truth) to have cost 10,000l. in its erection; to which his Grace contributed no small proportion of personal assistance. He is reported to have been his own architect and builder; to have dug his own flints, burnt his own lime, made his own bricks, and framed the woodwork in his own shops. The DOG KENNEL, abstracted from all other buildings, stands alone, in such part of the park as to form a grand and striking object from the principal rooms of the mansion; the materials are flints, finished at all the angles by a light grey brick, like the Lymington white-stock.

The distribution of the building is into five compartments; two of them 36 feet by 15, and three more 30 by 15; these are called KENNELS, to which are annexed two feeding-rooms, 28 by 15. In each of these are openings at top, for the admission of external air, when necessary; and stoves to qualify the air when too cold. There are supplies of water, and drains into what is termed a stank, a considerable depth below, full of rain-water, from the surface of which to the rise of the arch is eleven feet; so that no inconvenience arises from smell; and the whole can be occasionally cleared off by drains to more dependent depths, and dung-pits, where it becomes contributary to the purposes of agriculture. Round the whole building is a pavement five feet wide; airing-yards, places for breeding, and other conveniences, making a part of each wing. To constitute a uniformity of elegance, neatness, and perfection, the HUNTSMAN and WHIPPER-IN have each a parlour, kitchen, and sleeping-room, appropriated to their own particular purpose.

The Duke of Bedford's is an immense establishment, upon a scale of too much extent for particular description, as it includes TENNIS-COURT, RIDING-HOUSE, &c. &c. in one stone-fronted building, of 266 feet in length; with two wings of stables, containing stalls for 36 hunters; and eleven loose houses, for horses sick or lame. As the DOG-KENNEL, however, is the only part entitled to notice under this head, it will create no surprise that the richest subject should possess the most complete in England. It is in length 405 feet, having the boiling-house in the centre, with feeding rooms adjoining, and a granary behind. On the right of the centre are apartments for two KENNEL-KEEPERS, two long lodging rooms for the hunting hounds, with flues running along the walls, to preserve an equal temperature in the severity of the winter season; spacious yards to each, furnished with a fountain in the middle, for the dogs to drink at; and water-cocks fixed at proper distances, to cleanse the pavement, when it may be required: adjoining to these, are seven hospitals for sick and lame hounds, with yards to each. On the left are divisions for litter, straw, &c. eleven apartments for bitches and puppies, with yards to each; eleven ditto for bitches in pup, with yards also; and a large division for bitches at heat. In the front is a large reservoir of water, which supplies the fountains, and different cocks in the several yards within. Behind the whole is a large airing-ground, flesh-house, and all requisite conveniencies. The huntsman's dwelling-house is a handsome building adjoining. The number of hunting hounds kept in the kennel are usually from sixty to seventy couple.

The kennel of Sir Willim Rowley is by no means equal to the external grandeur of the two already described, but replete with every internal convenience that an establishment upon a somewhat smaller scale can possibly require: it is situate about half a mile from the family mansion, from the garden of which it constitutes a picturesque appearance. It is erected in a valley of the park, a spot well adapted to the purpose, being equally defended from the cutting easterly winds, and the heat of the sun in its meridian, by a thick skirting of park and forest trees. Not having the advantage of a rivulet to water the courts, that want is amply supplied by a pump, which, by means of different cocks, turns the water to every part of the premises; consisting of the HUNTING-KENNEL, or principal lodging-room, which is 20 feet by 18 in the clear, 18 feet high, and paved with flag-stones. The beds, or benches, which cover almost the whole area, are of original and most admirable contrivance, being lathed like some bedsteads, and all made to fold up with joints, for the convenience of washing the floor beneath them. This room, by means of a flue of peculiar construction, is heated to any required temperature; and the hounds, after severe chases, and in wet weather, are rendered dry and comfortable in a much less time than they could be by any other means.

There is also a kennel, or lodging-room, for the young hounds, of the same dimensions as the former, and possessing the same conveniencies, except the flue, which here would have been superfluous. Several small kennels for bitches in a state of gestation; as well as a proportional number for those with puppies. A paved court to the hunting-kennel. A feeding-house; one half of which is open, the other under cover. A paved court to the kennel for the young hounds. A pump, and stone water cisterns. A large grass-yard for airing the hounds belonging to the hunting-kennel, containing about an acre and three quarters; in which are a variety of lime, chesnut, and other trees, forming an excellent shade for the hounds during the summer season. The young hounds have a similar convenience. To these are annexed twelve small kennels for puppies, well constructed for the purpose. The hunting-hounds generally consist of about THIRTY-SIX COUPLE; and the establishment is conducted in such a style of punctuality, order, and excellence, that it is universally acknowledged equal to any, and inferior to none, upon a similar scale, from one extremity of the kingdom to the other.

Next to the choice of a proper spot for, and a judicious, as well as a convenient, construction of the KENNEL, the management of the hounds, when there, becomes a matter of serious consideration, and requires a FEEDER of strict sobriety, indefatigable industry, invariable punctuality, great humanity, personal fidelity to his employer, and a constant attention to the business in which he is engaged; as upon him in a great degree depends the health and preservation of the hounds. Mr. Beckford observes (in great proof of his practical knowledge and personal experience) that no part of a hunting establishment goes on so well, as when the MASTER becomes an occasional SUPERINTENDANT of his own concerns. He says, as the sport in the field depends on the exquisite sense of smelling so peculiar to the hound, so care should be taken to preserve it; and cleanliness is the surest means. The keeping of the kennel sweet and clean, cannot, therefore, be too strongly inculcated, and impressed upon the mind of the FEEDER; if he seems habitually disposed to deviate from which, he is not at all calculated for the office he has undertaken.

The preparation for feeding, as boiling the meat, mixing the meal, and getting it ready at the hours agreed on, is a matter that the HUNTSMAN will of course take care (on his part) never to have neglected; but there are other considerations, equally important, which become entitled to attention. Hounds cannot be properly fed by a single person; two are (for a variety of reasons) unavoidably necessary; and those two should be the FEEDER and the HUNTSMAN; as hounds should be drafted and fed according to their state of flesh and condition. Some are much more voracious than others, and will require a greater portion of food; others look and work well, with half the quantity: the eye of the huntsman should discriminate between the opposite descriptions; in want of which attention, the pack will never be of equal appearance. When any of the hounds are observed to be low in flesh, off their appetites, bad feeders, or kept under by the old and master hounds, it will be matter of advantage to draft them, and let them feed under less restraint. Young and impatient feeders, fall into the very common fault of feeding hounds with their meat too hot: it is both a prevalent and injurious error, that should be totally abolished.

Mr. Beckford is of opinion, that hounds poorer than the rest should be fed again, and that they cannot be fed too often; as well as that those hounds which become too fat, if any, should be drafted off, and not permitted to fill themselves. All hounds (particularly young ones) should be often called over in kennel; their names become more familiar to them; and it teaches them obedience; this lesson is practised, or should be, at the time of feeding. Hounds should all be let out into the airing ground, to empty them themselves after feeding, to prevent an unnecessary accumulation of filth, and consequent effluvia, in the kennel. It may be a custom with some, to shut up the hounds for two or three hours after they return from hunting before they are FED; if so, it is more entitled to contempt than imitation; no plea can justify the practice; they should have their meat ready for feeding immediately on their return; once gratified, they enjoy their rest undisturbed, the best and most natural foundation for a renovation of strength. Plenty of vegetables, boiled in the copper meat, once a week, is a custom in most kennels; as it is also to throw in a pound or two of sulphur, (in proportion to the number,) particularly in the summer season, when there is a greater tendency in the blood to morbidity, particularly to cutaneous diseases.

During the hot months, when hounds do not work, they require but a small proportion of substantial food, compared to what is necessary in the severity of the HUNTING SEASON; flesh may then be given very sparingly; the less it is used in the summer, the less likelihood there will be of seeing that malignant and unwelcome visitor, the MANGE, amongst them. Various opinions have been promulgated upon the best, cheapest, and most nutritious, food for the support of hounds in general; but experience seems to have justified the consistency of occasional changes, according to the different seasons, and the different degrees of work; without adhering too closely to one particular mode, unassisted by such deviations as circumstances may render not only prudent and proper, but sometimes unavoidable. Horse flesh, sheep's trotters, raspings, greaves, bullock's paunches, (in a scarcity of flesh,) oat-meal, and barley-meal, constitute the principal articles upon which hounds are known to subsist; although they are differently prepared, and differently administered, according to the judgment, experience, whim, or caprice, of the parties concerned. It is, however, universally admitted, after a number of fair and impartial trials, that in respect to the two meals, they act much more profitably and advantageously, when used in a mixed state of nearly equal proportions, than when either is given alone.

Mr. Beckford says, his feeder, who was a good one, and of much experience, mixed the meal in equal quantities; that the oatmeal he boiled for half an hour; and then put out the fire, adding the barley-meal, and mixing both together: his reason for boiling one, and not the other, was, that boiling made the oat-meal THICK, and the barley-meal thin; and that when he fed with the barley-meal only, it should not be put into the copper, but mixed up with the scalding liquor, in a proper tub, or hogshead, kept for the purpose. There are many little things within the department of the FEEDER, which, if neglected, become of serious consequence. Nice observation should be made upon the state of the BITCHES at all times; upon the least indication of their going to HEAT, they should be instantly removed; a few hours delay may be the destruction of some of the best hounds in the kennel. After their return on a hunting day, he should observe whether there are any hounds who have sustained injuries in the feet by thorns, flints, &c. in which case a fomentation of warm pot-liquor, (or bran and water,) followed by a washing with cold vinegar, or salt and water, will generally effect a speedy cure. Hounds seriously LAME, or palpably SICK, should be separated from the rest, and placed where they can be more at ease, and have better attention.

KENNEL

—is a sporting term for the spot in which a FOX deposits himself after his nocturnal depredations, and to which he retires about the dawn of day: being found by the hounds in drawing covert, he is then said to be unkennelled, and the chase begins. When safe in some burrow, or hole, below the surface, he is then said to lie at EARTH.

KIBES

,—in horses, are the cracks which appear in the HEELS during the severity of the winter season, and are much more the consequence of neglect, or a want of knowledge in the stable discipline, than the effect produced by changes in the weather; which may in general be counteracted by the means in constant practice with those who proceed systematically, and take the same care of their horses, as prudence prompts them to take of themselves. They proceed mostly from being left with wet legs, which, in very COLD or FROSTY weather, occasions such a tightness and rigidity of the skin, that, when brought into sudden and brisk action, it bursts asunder, (in a greater or less degree,) according to the texture of the skin, or the constitutional irritability of the horse. These soon become exceedingly painful; and if the weather should repeatedly vary from short frosts to alternate thaws, and the horse continue in use, the constant insinuation of the sharp particles of small gravel and sand of the dirty roads, is productive of such excruciating sensations, that the subject refuses food, and does not lay down for many days and nights in succession: when even gently compelled to move, he lifts up the limb in so much misery, that it is with the greatest reluctance he brings it again to the ground; on the contrary, keeps it so long suspended, that it is expected he must inevitably fall over in his stall. If worked in this state, he comes out of the stable as if completely crippled; and every day's delay in the attempt at relief, must be a culpable protraction of cure: palliatives (with work) will prove deceptive; rest should be adopted, and cure obtained. This can only be effected by poultices made of LINSEED POWDER, milk, and a little olive oil, applied immediately after comfortable softenings with warm gruel, and a small sponge: an ALTERATIVE POWDER in a mash nightly, and the use of camphorated SPERMA-CÆTI LINIMENT, night and morning, when the poultices are left off, will be found greatly to assist the general intent.

KIDNEYS

.—The horse is always liable to local injuries, as well as permanent disorders, of these parts. Inflammation and ulceration are also produced by different means: some proceed from external causes, as BRUISES and BLOWS; being too heavily laden with burdens, or drawing too heavy weights; both which should be equally attended to, and guarded against. The distinguishing symptoms of diseased KIDNIES, are a palpable weakness of the hind part of the back and loins, a painful sinking of those parts upon pressure, a difficulty of staling, which is generally voided partially in small quantities, and frequently with short groans of internal disquietude: in slight affections, the urine is white, but turbid; in severe cases, very high coloured, as if tinged with blood: there is mostly a heaviness of the eyes, debility of body, a loathing of food, and a tendency to symptomatic fever. From whatever cause an injury may arise, or from whatever state of the body a disease of the parts may proceed, BLEEDING largely is the first step to speedy relief, and the prevention of danger. The quality and quantity of MEDICINE must be regulated by the shades, as well as the duration, of the disorder, according to consequences likely to ensue. Warm glysters of gruel and olive oil occasionally; mashes, made of ground malt and bran, for food; and thin gruel for drink, in which GUM ARABIC should be dissolved, to lubricate the passages, and sheath any asperity with which the parts may be affected. Should the weakness of the loins increase, the difficulty of staling continue, the urine become more thick and fœtid, the strength more reduced, and the frame emaciated, one or both the kidneys may be considered in a state of ulceration, and cure cannot be expected.

KILLING GAME

.—The privilege of KILLING GAME (in any way whatever) is now dependent upon a two-fold qualification; in want of BOTH which, the transgressor renders himself liable to a DOUBLE, and in want of either, to a single penalty; which, divested of technical ambiguity, and the complicated abstrusity of the GAME LAWS in their present extended state, is reduced to the following state of simplification, adapted to every comprehension.

In different Acts of Parliament during the reigns of James the First, Charles the Second, and Queen Anne, the landed possessions necessary to constitute a qualification to kill game, (exempt from pains and penalties,) have varied materially, in proportion to the gradual alteration in the value of money, which has continued to diminish in a corresponding degree. The landed qualification established by the 23d Charles the Second, c. xxv. and still adhered to, is the possession of LANDS, TENEMENTS, or other estates of inheritance, of the CLEAR yearly value of ONE HUNDRED POUNDS. Or, for term of life, A LEASE or LEASES for ninety-nine years, or any longer term, of the CLEAR yearly value of ONE HUNDRED and FIFTY POUNDS. Persons not so qualified, either killing, or going in pursuit of game with an intent to kill, and being convicted upon the OATH of one witness, before a Justice of the Peace, forfeits FIVE POUNDS for each offence; half to the informer, and half to the poor of the parish where the offence is committed.

Thus far a line is drawn between the QUALIFIED and the unqualified, in respect to LANDED privilege, upon former Acts of Parliament; clearly defining who possessed a LEGAL RIGHT to pursue and KILL GAME under such sanction, and who were the persons prohibited from so doing, and liable to the penalty before described. In addition to which distinction, it has been enacted by successive Acts in the present reign of George the Third, That every person who shall use any DOG, GUN, NET, or other engine, for the taking or killing of game, (except a game-keeper acting under a deputation duly registered,) shall every year, previous to his using the same, deliver his name and place of abode to the Clerk of the Peace of the county where he shall reside, and take out an annual CERTIFICATE, or licence, bearing a stamp, for which three guineas are to be paid. This licence, when obtained, does not authorize unqualified persons to kill game, but leaves them still liable to the PENALTY of FIVE POUNDS for each offence, as already described. The penalty for killing game without having procured the ANNUAL CERTIFICATE, is TWENTY POUNDS to either the qualified or unqualified; so that the unqualified, prosecuted to conviction, is in a predicament of only five pounds worse than the QUALIFIED, the penalty being twenty pounds with one, and five-and-twenty with the other. Any person in pursuit of game, having his name and place of abode demanded by another, who is possessed of a certificate, and refusing to tell the same, is liable to a penalty of FIFTY POUNDS. See Game-keepers, and Game Laws.

KINDLE

.—A doe rabbit is said to KINDLE when she brings forth her young.

KING FERGUS

,—the name of a horse bred by the late Colonel O'Kelly; he was foaled in 1775; was got by Eclipse, dam (Tuting's Polly) by Black and all Black, grand-dam by Tartar, great grand-dam by Old Starling. He was of great celebrity, and continued for many years a stallion of the first eminence. He was the sire of a great number of good racers, amongst which were those celebrated runners Hambletonian, Overton, Beningbrough, Sir Solomon, Warter, Johnny (Durand's,) Garswood, &c. &c.

KING'S HOUNDS

.—His Majesty's STAG HOUNDS pass under this denomination, as a part of the royal establishment continued in every successive reign without variation. The kennel in which they are kept is situate near the RACE COURSE upon Ascot Heath; at the distance of two short miles from which is Swinley Lodge, the official residence of the Master of the Stag Hounds, an appointment seldom conferred but upon one of the peerage, and is considered an office of honor, with a salary of 2000l. per annum. The presence of the Master of the Stag Hounds in the field is not a matter of necessity, but choice, except when his Majesty hunts, and then his personal attendance is indispensible; his badge of office is a pair of gold dog couples, which hang suspended from a belt on his left side. The HUNTSMAN has a handsome residence at the kennel, with a salary of 125l. a year; to whom there are six assistants, (called YEOMEN PRICKERS,) each having a salary of 104l. with the royal livery richly ornamented, and an annual supply of saddles, bridles, horse-cloths, and the necessary stable appendages; but they find their own horses.

The hunting season commences on Holyrood-Day, the 25th of September, and continues every Tuesday and Saturday till the first week in May; with the exception of Christmas and Easter weeks, when they hunt three times in each. Holyrood-Day, and Easter-Monday, are the two grand days of the year for company, when the field is exceedingly numerous. His Majesty has also a PACK of HARRIERS, which are kept at the Little Park Lodge near Windsor, and with these he hunts constantly in Windsor Great Park, and the surrounding neighbourhood; they are, however, a private concern of his Majesty's, and not included in the regular Crown establishment.

KING'S PLATE

.—Those called King's Plates, are a free gift from his Majesty of 100 guineas each; and it is believed were originally granted as a means of exciting such a degree of emulation, as would probably tend to national advantage, by improving the breed of horses in general; as well as to afford an annual pecuniary advantage (by an additional influx of company) to such CITIES and TOWNS as enjoy the royal favour. Newmarket, as the superior spot of sporting celebrity, is particularly honoured, having two in the first Spring, and one in the first October meetings. King's Plates are also given at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Guildford, Winchester, Ipswich, Burford, Chelmsford, Nottingham, Lewes, Edinburgh, York, Canterbury, Warwick, Lichfield, Richmond, (Yorkshire,) Lincoln, Salisbury, Ayr, Carlisle, and Ascot Heath; the whole of which, except the last, are run for by horses or mares of different ages, carrying such weights as shall be appointed by the Master of the Horse, or whoever he may delegate for that purpose.

The King's Plate of 100 guineas, given at Ascot, and always run for on the first day, (invariably Whit-Tuesday fortnight,) is only for horses which have regularly hunted with his Majesty's STAG HOUNDS the preceding season, and must have been well up with the hounds, at their running up to, taking, or killing, TEN DEER, as an indispensible qualification, without having which they cannot be permitted to start. At the conclusion of the chase, when the deer is secured, those who intend to qualify for the plate apply to the HUNTSMAN, and a ticket is delivered to the rider, bearing the arms of the Master of the Stag Hounds, and the seal of the royal hunt; when which ten tickets are obtained, the horse has secured his qualification, may then be withdrawn from the field, and is not obliged to appear again till the DAY of ENTRANCE at Sunning-Hill Wells, where and when the tickets must be produced, in confirmation of his being duly qualified to START. For the accommodation of the sporting world at large, horses of all ages are permitted to run, carrying the following weights; four years old, 11st. 2lb. five years old, 11st. 9lb. six years old, 11st. 12lb. and aged, 12st. Mares allowed 4lb. The best of three four-mile heats.

The following Rules are, by his Majesty's command, to be strictly observed by the OWNERS and RIDERS of all such HORSES, MARES, or GELDINGS, as shall run for his Majesty's Plates at Newmarket.

King's Plate Articles.

Every person that putteth in a horse, mare, or gelding, for the said plate, is to shew such horse, mare, or gelding, with the marks, name, and name of the OWNER, to be entered at the King's stables in Newmarket the day before they run, and shall then produce a certificate under the hand of the breeder, specifying his exact age the grass before.

Every horse, mare, or gelding, that runneth, is to start between the hours of one and four in the afternoon; and to be allowed half an hour between each heat to rub.

Every horse, mare, or gelding, that runneth on the wrong side the POSTS or FLAGS, or is distanced in any of the HEATS, shall have no share of the said PLATE, nor be suffered to start again.

The horse, mare, or gelding, that winneth any two heats, winneth the PLATE; but if three several horses, mares, or geldings, win EACH of them a HEAT, then those three, and only they, to run a fourth; and the horse, mare, or gelding, that winneth the fourth heat, shall have the plate.

And each horse, mare, or gelding's place, as he or they come in by the ending-post each heat, as first, second, or third, &c. shall be determined by such judges as shall be appointed for that purpose by the Master of the Horse. And in case any horse, mare, or gelding, shall be then, or after prove to be, above the age CERTIFIED the grass before, the owner or owners of such horse, mare, or gelding, shall be rendered incapable of ever running for any of the King's Plates hereafter.

As many of the RIDERS as shall cross, jostle, or strike, or use any other foul play, as shall be judged by such person or persons as shall be appointed by the Master of the Horse, such rider shall be made incapable of ever riding any horse, mare, or gelding, for any of his Majesty's Plates hereafter; and such OWNERS shall have no benefit of that plate; but such owners may be permitted to run any horse, mare, or gelding, for any other of his Majesty's free Plates in future.

Every RIDER shall, immediately after each heat is run, be obliged to come to the ENDING-POST with his horse, mare, or gelding, then and there to alight, and not before, and there to WEIGH to the satisfaction of the judges appointed for that purpose.

And in case of neglect or refusal thereof, such WINNERS and RIDERS shall be immediately declared incapable of RUNNING or RIDING any more for this or any of his Majesty's Plates in future.

And should any difference arise relating to their ages, or in their running, or to these his Majesty's orders, the same to be determined by such person, or persons, as shall be appointed by the Master of the Horse. And these Articles are to continue in force, unless altered by COMMAND of his Majesty.

For the better and more certain prevention of any fraud, or misapplication, the winner of a King's Plate is to receive from the Clerk of the Course, a certificate signed by the Steward of the Race where such plate is won, countersigned by himself also, which being presented to the Lord Lieutenant of the County, it obtains his signature likewise: when thus sanctioned, it becomes payable at sight to BEARER (if properly endorsed by the winner) at the office of the Clerk of his Majesty's Stables, in the King's Mews, London. The Lord Lieutenant of a county being out of the kingdom, the signature of any person regularly deputed by him is sufficient. The certificate of winning the PLATE at Ascot requires only the signature of the Master of his Majesty's Stag Hounds, instead of the Lord Lieutenant of the County.

KNEE of a HORSE

—is the centrical joint of the leg, where the fore-thigh is united to the shank-bone. Its formation is of such strength, that a LAMENESS, by twist, distortion, or any other injury, is hardly ever sustained in this part, but by the accident of falling; which frequently happens, and, if attended with a blemish, very much reduces the previous value of the horse. Prominencies in a pavement, or rolling stones upon a road, are sometimes the occasion of such misfortunes, even to those who are in general exceedingly sure-footed, and of the most valuable description. Custom has, however, introduced, of late years, such an unprecedented degree of precaution in an examination of the KNEES, that the slightest touch cannot be expected to pass unnoticed amidst so much scrutinizing inspection; and if once appearances are sufficient to justify a doubt, the object immediately sinks in estimation, however superior he may be in other respects and qualifications. This being so great a disadvantage when a horse is to be sold, it evidently points out the absolute necessity of a minute examination before he is bought, as a want of it may produce considerable loss, and serious reflection. Loss of hair upon the knees, when not too severely affected, may sometimes be restored by a daily application of very strong camphorated liniment.

L.

LAIR

—was a term formerly applied to the haunt of outlying deer, and implied the place near which they might probably be found. It is, however, but little known in that sense, and is now used to express the part of a forest, chase, heath, or common, where any particular horse, cow, or other cattle, is accustomed to frequent when turned out, which is then called their LAIR, and where (or in the neighbourhood of it) their owners are generally sure to find them.

LAMENESS in HORSES

—proceeds from a variety of causes, and requires much patient investigation to ascertain, to a certainty, the exact seat of injury; for want of which judicious precaution, mischief frequently follows. Horses are sometimes persecuted, blistered, and fired, for a LAMENESS in one part, which ultimately proves to be in another; and this alone sufficiently points out the absolute necessity of a deliberate discrimination. As lameness proceeds from different causes, so it is of different kinds, and requires various modes of treatment, equally opposite to each other. This cannot be more forcibly elucidated, than by adverting to the difference between a lameness originating in a relaxation of the SINEWS, and a ligamentary injury sustained by a sudden turn, twist, or distortion, of some particular JOINT. These require a very different mode of treatment; and yet it is too much, and too unthinkingly the custom, to treat every kind of lameness in the same way. From either a want of patience in the owner, or a want of prudence in the practitioner, the favourite operation of BLISTERING is thought applicable to every case without exception; and being often resorted to before the inflammation of the part has sufficiently subsided, occasions a permanent enlargement, with a thickening of the integument, and consequent stiffness, rendering the remedy equally injurious with the original defect.

In all lamenesses occasioned by a relaxation of the TENDONS, blistering, and even firing, are admitted to have a forcible effect, provided they are brought into use at a PROPER time; but not before the inflammation (which is generally attendant upon such case) has previously subdued. In all ligamentary injuries, BLISTERING is seldom, if ever, known to be productive of permanent advantage; and is, perhaps, upon most occasions, so immediately adopted, because a single application is of so much less personal trouble, than a daily persevering hour bestowed in hot FOMENTATIONS, and stimulative EMBROCATIONS. Upon the subject of lameness in general, it is necessary to remark, that injuries sustained in the tendons (commonly called the back sinews) are more frequently relieved, and a lasting cure obtained, than in a lameness of the joints; where, after patient and persevering medical applications, and a corresponding portion of REST, a renewal of work has almost immediately produced a relapse.

LAMPAS

,—called also LAMPERS, and LAMPARDS, is a spongey elastic enlargement of the roof of a young horse's mouth, just behind the nippers of his upper jaw, which frequently acquires such a luxuriance in growth, as to be equal with, or to exceed, the surface of the teeth, and is supposed to occasion pain to such horses in the mastication of their corn. Different opinions have been entertained, and are still supported, upon this subject; some considering it only a temporary operation of NATURE during the formation of the TEETH, which would contract, and disappear, upon their attaining their full and proper growth; whilst others, less comprehensive in their conceptions, less scientific in their reasoning, and more hasty in their decisions, maintain the necessity of radical extermination, and that too by a process no less severe than the red-hot iron, or burning cautery. The most critical examination of the case (whenever it occurs) does not seem to justify the necessity for, or the cruelty of, such operation: various are the means which may be brought into use for the most perfect completion of the purpose, without resorting to such as bear the traits of former barbarity, when the times were less enlightened, and the system of FARRIERY less improved.

Admitting the part to have acquired its prominence, or preternatural distension, (a mere elastic, spongey puffiness,) by a slight inflammation originally, and a proportional propulsion of blood to the finer vessels surrounding that particular spot, it follows, of course, that extracting from those vessels the contents with which they are overloaded, and compulsively distended, will lay the foundation of contraction, which, followed by proper constringents, will constitute a perfect obliteration, to the PRUDENT and HUMANE exclusion of a practice not more replete with cruelty during the operation, than with danger in its consequence. Whenever the LAMPAS are found so protuberant, as to justify an opinion, or produce a proof, that they occasion pain in mastication, it is then time enough, to pass the point or edge of a sharp penknife, or lancet, transversely, and longitudinally, over the puffy and prominent part, so as to let it BLEED in that state for a few minutes; then let it be washed with a solution of ALUM in water, and no farther inconvenience need be feared from a molehill, which the illiterate have long since magnified to a MOUNTAIN, without the least rational plea for its foundation.

LASSITUDE

,—horses are frequently subject to, which does not amount to palpable pain, or evident indisposition. If a horse, who is usually in high spirits in the stable, as well as out, becomes depressed, dull, heavy, inattentive, and indifferent to food, it may be presumed something is going on in the system not directly consonant to the indications of health. In such cases, the necessary examination should be made without delay, and proper modes of counteraction adopted, to prevent the severity and danger of disease, which sometimes advances with great rapidity, to such a state as would never have happened, if proper attention had been paid to the cause of LASSITUDE upon its earliest appearance.

LAW-SUITS

,—in respect to horses, are become so common, from the frequent deceptions in BUYING and SELLING, (as well without others as with DEALERS,) that not a term passes without various litigations of this description. When the expence and anxiety attendant upon both PLAINTIFF and DEFENDANT, during the time a suit is pending; the uncertainty of its termination, which ultimately depends so much upon the effect of chance in EVIDENCE; the misrepresentation, or misconstruction, of FACTS, are all taken into consideration, it is much to be regretted, that such circumstances cannot be brought to a more friendly and less expensive conclusion. As, however, such propensity to mutual accommodation is not likely to abound amidst the complicated tempers, caprices, and versatilities, of society at large; it becomes the more necessary to avoid, as much as possible, whatever may be eventually productive of so unpleasant and unprofitable an embarkation; particularly when it is constantly seen in COURTS of LAW, to what a wonderful degree of villainy human depravity is extended, for the completion of points in which the parties are individually or collaterally interested; and perhaps in no causes whatever, so much as in those where the soundness or unsoundness of a horse is concerned.

Those who have had occasion most to frequent the Courts, best know (in fact, there are cases on record to justify and corroborate the assertion) that suits have occurred, where six witnesses swore "they saw the horse almost daily for some weeks previous to his death, and that he had the GREASE so bad he died with it;" when, to the astonishment of a crouded court, (before Mr. Justice Buller, who tried the cause,) the DEFENDANT produced an equal number of witnesses who swore, "they likewise saw the horse almost daily to the last hour of his life, and that he never had the least mark, trait, or sign of grease about him;" to corroborate which, a HUNTSMAN (making the seventh witness on that side) was produced, who swore "he stripped the horse for his hounds, and he had no mark of grease about him." The Judge remarked, "that the mass of perjury was absolutely beyond human conception on one side or the other; and so far exceeded the power of his discrimination, that he submitted it entirely to the province of the Jury," who immediately returned a verdict for the defendant.

It is much to be lamented, that every horse cause brought before a Court favours more or less of this complexion; in a perfect knowledge of which, the parties concerned strengthen their interest, and select their necessary evidence, with as much pains and eagerness as votes are solicited at an election: and it is not at all uncommon to have a body of evidence produced to SWEAR a horse "dead lame" on one side, and a much greater number to prove him PERFECTLY SOUND on the other. In such a glorious uncertainty of the LAW, what reflecting man can indulge a sufficient hope of success, to encounter a load of mental disquietude during the process, with the additional expence of thrice the VALUE of the object in dispute?

LEAD

.—The EXTRACT of LEAD is a preparation passing almost universally under the denomination of Goulard's Extract, whose properties are acknowledged of great medical utility, and in many cases amount to a specific. See Goulard, where the effects of this article are more particularly explained.

LEAPING

—is a leading perfection in a horse that very much enhances his value as a HUNTER; without which qualification, he is held in no great estimation when shewn in the field. Leaping, in its general signification, extends to the two kinds called flying and standing; a horse perfect in each, with equal temper, and a fair portion of SPEED, is then called a complete or made HUNTER; and if he has a corresponding uniformity of figure, and excellence of action, both his reputation and worth become increased in proportion. There are very few horses of speed and spirit, but what become good FLYING LEAPERS by short practice in the field with hounds, which, indeed, is the only proper place to teach them; but it is not so with STANDING LEAPS which should be taught coolly and calmly at the leaping-bar, with great serenity of temper, patience, and perseverance, by which alone any horse can attain perfection.

LEASH

,—the sporting term in use to imply the number THREE, as exceeding ONE, and not reaching TWO brace; for instance, a brace of hares, a leash of pheasants, and two brace of partridges. A brace of pointers, a leash of greyhounds, and two brace of spaniels. Custom, however, in this, as in most other things, admits of deviation and exception; in proof of which we say, a brace of spaniels, a couple and a half of hounds, and two brace of pointers. A brace of snipes, a couple and a half of woodcocks, and two couple of rabbits. It is therefore confident, and sportsman-like, to say, a LEASH of birds, (partridges,) a leash of pheasants, a leash of hares, or any other article where TWO are termed a BRACE; but improper to call three a LEASH, where two of the kind are called a COUPLE.

LEGS

.—The legs of a horse are, in their length, shape, and construction, so material to graceful and expeditious action, that they become, at the time of purchase, objects of minute inspection: if observed too long, in proportion to the DEPTH of the CHEST, and the LENGTH of the CARCASE, they may be considered a tolerable criterion of constitutional weakness, as few of this description are found equal to a constant repetition of even moderate work. Too straight in the lower part of the leg, with the hoof overhung by the fetlock, is an indication of stiffness and constraint in action; as, on the contrary, those who are exceeding long in the lower joints, and whose pasterns extend the hoof considerably before the leg, with a palpable bend or flexibility in walking, and the heel nearly down to the ground, are mostly horses of speed, (so far as their strength will permit;) but they are in general weak in those parts, and there is always a well-founded fear of their breaking down. The legs and feet are constantly liable to injuries, accidents, and defects, as CRACKS, SPLENTS, THRUSHES, &c. all which are explained under their different heads.

LEGS SWELLED

—originate in various causes; but from none so much as a sizey, viscid state of the BLOOD, a laxity of the SOLIDS, a shameful neglect of stable discipline, or a great deal of work at one time, and no regular exercise at another. That swelled legs arise from different causes, is sufficiently demonstrated by the opposite state of their external appearance in the examination of different subjects; where the legs of one shall be found distended to the utmost possible extent of the skin, with a degree of tenseness from the knee or hock downwards, not submitting to pressure, and without the least cutaneous pliability whatever. These are the kind of swelled legs occasioned by stagnant fluids, originating in the sizey and viscid state of the blood. When they are equally distended, but pliable in the skin, yielding to pressure, and resuming their previous extension, it may be justly concluded, they proceed from a laxity of the solids, and a want of regular exercise without, and manual labour (leg rubbing) within. Proceeding from which ever cause, they are productive of temporary anxiety; and the cause should be removed without delay. Bleeding, with evacuants, and a course of alteratives, will expeditiously eradicate the former; cordial invigorants, malt mashes, moderate exercise out, and regular bodily friction and leg-rubbing within, will soon obliterate the latter.

LESSONS

,—in the language of the MANEGE, are what is received by man, and given to the horse, according to the purposes for which they are designed, or the particular duties they are destined to discharge. Diverted of the practice of the schools, there are lessons which every man has it in his power to inculcate, and which never should be relaxed from, till the horse has attained a degree of perfection in those points, which render him a pattern of obedience, and consequent object of attraction to others, and a valuable acquisition to the owner. The first and principal is, never to let him move a single step forward, till his rider is firmly fixed upon his back, or his driver seated in his carriage; the same rule of standing perfectly still, being as invariably persevered in at the time of dismounting or alighting; by which some degree of safety will be insured; and it will soon become as habitual to the horse, as to those who RIDE or DRIVE him. He should always be accustomed to his own side of the road upon every emergency, which every horse soon knows from habit, and will not, but with reluctance, or upon compulsion, take the wrong, whatever may be the occasion; to a want of which very prudent, and very necessary precaution, may be attributed a majority of the accidents which so frequently happen in and round the Metropolis.

LEVERET

—is the term for a young HARE during her first year, or till FULL GROWN.

LETHARGY

.—The lethargy, or SLEEPING EVIL, as it is called by the lower class of rustics and farriers, is a drowsy kind of stupefaction, to which DRAFT HORSES are more particularly subject than any other; with whom it is considered a kind of prelude to the STAGGERS, which in general soon follow, if the cause is not speedily removed. A horse upon being attacked, closes his eyes, drops his head into the manger, suddenly recovers himself, and as gradually drops again; opens his eyes, as if surprized, picks a little hay, or corn, relapses with it in his mouth; and this is, perhaps, alternately repeated, till fixing his head in one corner of the stall, he seems to be deprived of both ACTION and ANIMATION, standing in a state of perfect insensibility. This prognostication (for in its first stage it can hardly be called a disease) denotes a struggle, in which the whole SYSTEM is affected; but where the struggle is dependent entirely upon the state of the circulation, which is become (from some remote cause) partially defective, and stands in need of such STIMULATIVE assistance, as may prove the means of constituting immediate REVULSION. Instantaneous BLEEDING, followed by much friction upon the body, as well as upon the extremities; warm glysters of gruel, in which a couple of sliced onions have been boiled; and to which a handful of common salt, and a gill of linseed oil, may be added; should be given and repeated in three or four hours. The pectoral cordial balls, impregnated with a drachm of myrrh, assafœtida, and ammoniacum, might be administered with advantage; all which not completing a cure within two or three days, BLISTERING largely behind the ears should not be neglected.

LIGHT in HAND

.—A horse is said to be light in hand, who, bearing properly upon his haunches, (or hind-quarters,) requires little or no assistance from the BIT. Horses of this description are generally well formed in their fore-quarters, with a curved crest, carrying their heads well up, with long necks, high withers, and a commanding forehand. Those with short necks, thick shoulders, dull spirit, slow action, and the withers lower before than the spinal (or rump) bone behind, are always of a contrary description; they bore along, invariably bearing upon the bit, and from that circumstance are said to be heavy in hand.

LIGHT CARCASED

—is a term applied to horses, the shape of whose bodies bear no ill affinity to the form of a GREYHOUND. The carcases of such are flat at the sides, narrow in the chest, and gradually contract in circumference from the GIRTH to the FLANK; where, after a little hard work, they appear so tucked up, it would seem to a stranger that they were emaciated for want of food. Horses of this description possess, in general, a SPIRIT so much beyond their STRENGTH, that, although they never will relinquish their pace, or seem even to tire, till nature is quite exhausted, they debilitate themselves so much by impetuosity, and unnecessary exertion, that, after a single day's hard work upon the road, or a severe chase in the field, they are not fit to be brought into use for a week after. They are always bad feeders; and it is an old maxim with the SPORTING WORLD, "that those who won't eat can't work;" and this remark is literally just; they certainly cannot for any length of time together. Light carcased horses are mostly hot and fiery in their tempers, excellent goers, but troublesome in company; invariably eager to be first; and will sink under persevering speed and fatigue, rather than be exceeded in action and emulation. They are by no means desirable purchases, but to those whose journies are short, and work easy; to such their defects may not be considered of material consequence.

LINSEED

—is a well-known article, and of so much general utility, that the house of a SPORTSMAN (in the country) should never be without it: its properties, either in its state as SEED, or sold in the shops as powdered, become equally applicable to the stable wants of the winter season. A DECOCTION of the seeds, one handful boiled for a quarter of an hour in two quarts of water, and strained, is the best mucilaginous wash for sore or cracked heels during frost or snow that can be brought into use; as well as an excellent article (in such weather) to prevent their appearance. In FEVERS, or an inflammation of the lungs, an INFUSION of the seed made with boiling water (standing covered for an hour) and then strained, being afterwards incorporated with a moderate quantity of honey, will be found useful in allaying the severity of disease.

Poultices made of linseed powder and milk, with the addition of a small quantity of olive oil, is the leading step to a cure of CRACKED HEELS of the worst description: they are also, from their EMOLLIENT property, the best possible external application to legs affected with GREASE, either in an early or more advanced stage; in which disorder it is too much the custom to rely implicitly upon the medicinal power and effect of internals, without considering that, by striking industriously at the very root of disease, it might often be completely cured in half the time by the assisting effects of both.

LIOUORICE ROOT

.—This is an article so much in use with HORSES, (in a pulverized state,) that it is absolutely necessary it should undergo some degree of elucidation; to prevent, if possible, a part of the medical deception, and adulteration, which so universally prevails. Liquorice root is plentifully produced in most countries of Europe, and is in all held in the same degree of estimation for its utility. What is grown in England is preferable to what is brought from abroad; the latter being generally mouldy, and in a perishing state, which it will always soon become, if not kept in a dry place, or buried in sand. It is remarkable for its peculiar property of allaying thirst, particularly as it is the almost only sweet known so to do: it is in constant use as an article of much medicinal efficacy with the human species, both as a most excellent PECTORAL and DETERGENT, as well as to soften acrimonious humors, reduce glandular irritability in colds, and promote expectoration.

The article called Spanish liquorice is an extract prepared from the root in Spain, and other countries, where it is cultivated in large quantities; but it is rarely to be met with in the shops in a state of purity and perfection; those who are the makers being either very slovenly in the preparation, or interested in the event, constantly mixing it with sand, (or other impurities,) to enlarge the weight, and increase the profit; under which disadvantages it is universally known as, and experimentally proved to be, a pectoral balsamic of general utility. In respect to what is dispensed at the shops, under the name of LIQUORICE POWDER, it is only necessary to observe, that it may be purchased at any for little more than half what the real dried root can be bought and powdered for by the first wholesale houses in the Metropolis. The deception is clear, and self-evident; as it is an article of great consumption, so it becomes the more properly appropriate to the pecuniary purpose of adulteration: those who best know the advantage arising from such practice, best can tell, that two pound weight of GENUINE LIQUORICE ROOT, ground in the drug mill, and there incorporated with the customary proportions of bean meal and wheat flour, will make fourteen pounds of most excellent liquorice powder for retail; and is the very article with which the public are supplied as a substitute for a medicine of so much efficacy, that it is to be regretted it should so easily become a matter of such general prostitution. See Adulteration.

LIVER of ANTIMONY

—is a medicine possessing a very powerful and active property; and would not have been introduced in this place, but with a view to prevent some of the MISCHIEFS which would probably happen, from too free a use of so dangerous an article, when in the unrestrained hands of the illiterate, the injudicious, the unthinking, or the inexperienced. It will create some surprise with the considerate, that this preparation, (known also by the name of CROCUS METALLORUM,) from two to six grains of which will operate as a violent emetic with an adult of the human species, should be given in doses of half an ounce each by common farriers to a horse, and that probably three or four times in twenty-four hours; under an impression, that it would, and does operate only by perspiration, or as an alterative; beyond which, probably, their ideas or intentions may not extend. When it is taken into consideration, that the horse does not possess the power of regurgitating by vomit, it then becomes a matter of due deliberation, how far it may be consistent and proper, to permit valuable horses to be drenched with medicines of this description in such immoderate quantities; a very few grains of which will excite such violent operations with one of the human species. Those who administer it as an ALTERATIVE, will, perhaps, prudently conceive, two drachms a day, in doses of a drachm each, full as much as ought to be ventured upon, incorporated with such other articles as the urgency of the case may seem to require.

LIVER

.—The liver in a horse is liable to disease, as obstructions by tubercles, indurated tumefactions, and schirrosity; either of which may be produced by various means, and treated as Jaundice, which SEE.

LOCKS

—are elastic leather pipes, or circular pads, stuffed with does' hair, about the size of a second finger in circumference, and made to buckle just above the fetlock of either leg, as a preventive to cutting with the other. There are others of a different form, made flat, having a padded oval in the center, which are called cutting-boots: the former, however, have the preference, as they occasion less stricture upon the tendons.

LOINS

—are the part of a horse at the extremity of the back immediately preceding the rump and hip bones, situate above the flanks. Beneath the loins internally are seated the KIDNIES, which, as well as the loins, are very susceptible of injury, by carrying improper weights, drawing too heavy loads, particularly up hills, or in short turns; to prevent all which should be humanely attended to. Injuries of this kind, when unfortunately sustained, are very easily ascertained by a little serious attention. The subject will sink and contract himself, if pressed forcibly upon the part with the hand; he will also move in his stall with a kind of curved motion, groaning probably if compelled to move suddenly; likewise in laying down, or in attempting to stale, which he frequently does, but mostly in small quantities. Exclusive of whatever medical means may be adopted, BLEEDING, gum Arabic dissolved in gruel, as common drink, and mucilage of linseed, to sheath the acrimony of the juices in an inflammation of the kidnies, or surrounding parts, will be found admirable collaterals. See Kidnies.

LOOSE-JOINTED

. A horse is said to be LOOSE-JOINTED, when his PASTERNS are so long as to let his HOOF come considerably from under the perpendicular position of the FORE LEG, so that the heel is exceedingly flat, and the hinder part of the FETLOCK joint, by a kind of elastic bend or drop, seems nearly to touch the ground. Horses of the blood kind have frequently this failure in their formation, and is the principal reason why so many of them are seen in common hands of little or no value, as properly appropriate to no particular purpose, or of the least general utility: most of this description have the first defect accompanied by a second, which is a long back, and consequent weakness of the loins; these, in the aggregate, constitute a complete loose-jointed horse; the purchase or possession of which will reflect no predominant RAYS of JUDGMENT upon the owner.

LOOSENESS

—is a laxity of habit, or debility of the intestines, which is constitutional with some horses; but in others is the effect of temporary disease; produced, probably, by an effervescent putrefaction of the excrements too long locked up in the intestinal canal, and at length suddenly and forcibly expelled by an effort of Nature, to relieve herself from the offending cause. This latter is the kind of looseness not to be immediately checked, or restrained, by the aid of aromatic restringents; but rather to be assisted, and promoted, by a free use of warm mashes, and gruel, till the disorder has run itself off, and effected its own cure. Some horses are habitually irritable, and begin to dung loose upon the most trifling occasions: young horses sometimes do so from a stranger's approaching them suddenly after coming from a DEALER'S stable; this must arise from the memory of the whip: others from being put into expeditious action upon the road too soon after their water in a morning. Horses fond of HOUNDS, and eager in the chase, will frequently begin to purge at the place of meeting, and continue so to do half a dozen times within an hour, when the superflux being thrown off, the excrements again become firm, and are evacuated with their usual solidity during the whole of the day. A warm cordial ball before the water, for two or three mornings in succession, is generally all that is necessary to be done upon such occasions.

LUNGS

.—The lungs of a horse are two elastic lobes, consisting of air vessels, blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves, and cellular membranes, possessing conjunctively the properties of contraction and expansion; nearly filling three parts of what is termed the CHEST, and may, without much deviation from the line of professional consistency, be pronounced the very mainspring of existence. It is the good or bad state of the LUNGS upon which the duration of life becomes in a proportional degree dependent; and by the perfect ease of inspiration, and respiration, health, and bodily strength, may in general be ascertained. The lungs are subject to inflammation, obstructions, tubercles, ulceration, and consumption; the cause of one and all originating in COLDS and COUGHS, produced by a sudden collapsion of the pores; when the perspirative matter being repelled, and thrown upon the circulation, the blood becomes sizey, viscid, and diseased; assuming some leading feature of the ills described, which, suffered to continue long without the proper means of counteraction, frequently attain a height too great for the power of medicine to subdue.

LURCHER

.—The dog so called is rough and wirey haired, with ears erect, but dropping a little at the points: they are above the middle size, of a yellowish or sandy red color; and of great speed, courage, and fidelity. They were originally produced from a cross between the SHEPHERD'S DOG and the GREYHOUND, which, from breeding in and in with the latter, has so refined upon the original cross, that very little of the shepherd's dog is retained in its stock, its docility and fidelity excepted. Thus bred, they are neither more or less than bastard greyhounds, retaining most of their perfections, but without their beauty. They are the favorite dogs of inferior or small FARMERS, as they act in the nominal capacity of a SHEEP DOG; but can occasionally trip up the heels of a LEVERET three parts grown. They are also the constant companions of the most professed and notorious POACHERS, being so admirably adapted to the universality of the service required: they equal, if not exceed, any other kind of dog in sagacity; and are easily taught any thing it is possible for an animal of this description to acquire by instruction. Some of them are very little inferior in speed to well-bred greyhounds: HARES they frequently run up to; RABBITS they kill to a certainty, if they are any distance from home: if near a WARREN, the dog invariably runs for the burrow, by doing which, he seldom fails in his attempt to secure his aim. His qualifications go still farther; in nocturnal excursions he becomes a PROFICIENT, and will easily pull down a FALLOW DEER, so soon as the signal is given for pursuit; which done, he will explore his way to his master, and conduct him to the GAME, wherever he may have left it. In poaching, they are individually instrumental to the destruction of hares; for when the wires are fixed at the meuses, and the nets at the gates, they are dispatched, by a single word of command, to scour the FIELD, PADDOCK, or PLANTATION; which, by their running mute, is effected so silently, that a harvest is obtained (according to the stock of the country) with very little fear of detection.

LURCHER

,—the name of a horse of some recent celebrity; he was the property of Mr. Rider; was got by Dungannon, dam by Vertumnus. In 1792, when three years old, he won a 50l. plate at Ascot Heath, beating seven others. At Stockbridge, a subscription of 20 guineas each, (ten subscribers,) beating Hamlet, St. George, and two others. At Winchester, a sweepstakes of 20 guineas each, eleven subscribers; and at Lewes, a sweepstakes of 10 guineas each, ten subscribers. He was then purchased by Mr. Wilson, in whose possession, 1793, when four years old, he won at Newmarket a sweepstakes of 500 guineas each from the Ditch in, beating Kitt Carr and Ormond. On the Saturday in the same week, he won a sweepstakes of 200 guineas each, half forfeit; beating Lord Clermont's Pipator. Lord Foley's Vermin paid. Second Spring Meeting, he beat Lord Clermont's Speculator, a match across the Flat, 200 guineas each. In 1794, at the Craven Meeting, Newmarket, he won the first class of the Oatlands Stakes, of 50 guineas each, (twenty-one subscribers,) half forfeit, beating thirteen others, with the odds of nine to one against him at starting. For the Main of the Oatlands, First Spring Meeting, he beat Lord Grosvenor's Druid, 200 guineas each, Ditch-in. Second Spring Meeting, he received 150 guineas forfeit from the Duke of Bedford's Teucer; after which he appeared no more upon the turf.

M.

MADNESS

.—This dreadful CANINE malady, with its consequences, when communicated to the human frame, will be found enlarged upon under the head Dog in the first Volume.

MAIN

.—The main is a principal term used in the fashionable and destructive nocturnal game of HAZARD, at which so many immense fortunes have been squandered away, and so very few realized. The person who is the holder of the BOX containing a PAIR of DICE, being set by an individual, or any part of the company, what money he, or they, may propose, and the money staked, (or, as it is technically called, covered,) he, the Caster, (that is, the holder of the box,) shaking the dice, throws them out upon the table: if the surface of both display a number above four, and not over nine, that number is then publicly announced "the MAIN" by the Groom Porter, (who is the officiating attendant upon the company and the game;) but the Caster throwing under four, or over nine, at the first throw, it is then called aloud, "No main;" and the Caster repeats his throw till a number appears between four and ten, whenever which happens, (as for instance, eight,) the Groom Porter instantly vociferates, "Eight is the main, eight;" and it is called the MAIN, because it is the main for the company against the next throw of the Caster, which is called the CHANCE; as being his own against the main previously thrown, and by both which the Caster and the Setters must abide, when main and chance are thrown; though either party may draw their money, upon not approving or fancying the main, provided they declare it before the chance is thrown. The Caster throwing eight or twelve, the very next throw to the main of eight, is said to "nick it," and wins the money. If he throws SEVEN for a MAIN, and immediately follows it with another seven, or an eleven, he nicks again, and wins likewise. Six and twelve are a nick to six; five and nine nick themselves, and win when they follow in succession, as described of eight. If, after throwing the main, the Caster at the next throw produces under four, they are called CRABS; he then loses, and his box-hand is said to be out, and he passes it to his next neighbour; when bets are made round the table according to fancy; some that the "Caster throws in;" others, that "he throws out;" exclusive of the constantly standing business, of SETTING the Caster what money he requires before he throws a main; when which, and the chance, are both thrown, and declared by the Porter, the odds are laid and taken in every part of the room, as opinion may prompt, or judgment dictate. These odds are regulated upon a scale of equity, from which there can be no departure; it being an invariable principle of the game, that any person laying an unfair bet, or deviating from the fixed odds, can never win. Every minute particular of the game cannot be reduced to paper here, or indeed perfectly understood from theory; but a farther elucidation will be found under its proper head, Hazard.

MAIN of COCKS

.—When two parties, whether individuals, or an aggregate composed of gentlemen in one county, agreeing to fight a COCK-MATCH with an individual, or the gentlemen of another, the MATCH invariably consists of an odd number of BATTLES; as twenty-one, thirty-one, or forty-one; which match once made, and the cocks weighed, is then called a MAIN of COCKS: when fought, and finished, the winner of the ODD battle (or more a-head) is the winner of the main. Whenever a MATCH is made between parties of respectability and honour, the following agreement is drawn up, and reciprocally entered into.

ARTICLES for a COCK-MATCH.

Articles of agreement made the 1st of May, 1803, between A. B. of —— in the county of —— on one part, and C. D. of —— in the county of —— on the other. First, the said parties mutually agree, that each shall produce, shew and weigh, at the Cockpit Royal, in Saint James's Park, on the 1st day of June next, beginning at the hour of six in the morning, FORTY-ONE COCKS; none to weigh less than three pounds six, nor more than four pounds eight ounces; and as many of each parties cocks as come within two ounces of the other parties cocks hereby stand engaged to fight for TEN GUINEAS a battle; that is, five guineas each cock; in as equal divisions as the battles can be divided into (as pits or day's play) at the Cockpit Royal aforesaid; and that the parties cocks who win the greatest number of main battles out of the number aforesaid, shall be entitled to the sum of ONE HUNDRED GUINEAS odd battle money. And it is farther agreed, that the sum is to be made STAKES into the hands of E. F. Esq. in EQUAL shares between the parties aforesaid, before the first pair of cocks are brought to PIT. And the said parties further agree to produce, shew, and weigh, on the said day of weighing, FIFTEEN COCKS for bye battles, subject to the same weight as the main cocks before mentioned, and those to be added to the number of main cocks unmatched; and as many of them as come within one ounce of each other, shall fight for TWO GUINEAS a battle, (that is, one guinea each cock,) to be as equally divided as can be, and added to each pit or day's play with the main of cocks: and it is also agreed, that the balance of the battle money shall be paid at the end of each pit or day's play; and to fight in fair reputed SILVER SPURS, and with fair hackles; and to be subject to all the usual rules of COCK-FIGHTING, as is practised in London and at Newmarket; and the profit of the Pit, or day's play, to be equally divided between the said parties, after all charges are paid and satisfied that usually arise thereupon. As witness our hands, this first day of May, 1803.

A. B.

C. D.

Witness

C. H.

RULES
FOR MATCHING AND FIGHTING.

In MATCHING (with relation to the battles) it is an invariable rule, that, after the COCKS of the MAIN are weighed, the MATCH BILLS are compared, to see that they are equally correct.

In WEIGHING, it is to be observed, that every PAIR of COCKS of dead or equal weight falling together, are to be separated, and matched against others coming within the limited weight of each other; provided that it appears the main can be enlarged, by adding thereto, either one battle or more thereby.

In FIGHTING, it is to be mutually understood, that the MAIN BATTLES begin to be fought with the lightest pair of cocks, proceeding in succession with the next in weight upwards to the end; so that every lighter pair may fight earlier than those that are heavier.

In farther elucidation of this SPORT, See Cocking, Cock-Match, Cockpit Royal, and Game Cock.

MALLENDERS

.—The DEFECT or DISORDER so called, is a large flat scab, or more properly an accumulation of eschars, (more or less inveterate,) seated at the hinder part of the fore-legs, directly behind the knee, just where the back sinews have their insertion at that joint. They are seldom seen with horses who are properly managed, but merely with those of an inferior description, that are little attended to. If discovered, and proper means of counteraction adverted to in their early state, little or no inconvenience ensues; but if suffered by time to become inveterate, with deep-seated cracks, from whence oozes a greasy kind of ichor, with bristly hairs making their way through the hardened scabs upon the surface, they are productive of much trouble before a perfect cure can be obtained. When advanced to this stage, they are not only exceedingly painful in action, but constitute such a stricture upon the part, as to affect the elasticity of the TENDONS; in which state the horse is retarded in progress by the preternatural rigidity of the joint, with the additional danger of stumbling and falling in every effort he makes to avoid it.

Those horses having the greatest quantity of hair upon their legs are the most subject to this malady, where it remains a long time obscured from the eye of the MASTER; as it is not to be expected, a discovery will be made, and communicated, by a servant, in palpable proof of his own neglect and indolence. If the part inveterately affected is covered with hair, either totally or partially, it must be taken off as close as possible, before any attempt at cure is made; that done, a patient fomentation of hot gruel, a decoction of linseed, or mallow roots and leaves, should be persevered in for a quarter of an hour daily, letting, however, the process of soft soap and warm water be adopted on the first day, continuing one of the before-mentioned fomentations every day after. When the scabs or eschars are completely softened, got loose, and begin to exfoliate, the parts may be well impregnated with camphorated SPERMA CÆTI LINIMENT every day after the fomentation; but not before the part is made properly dry to receive it. If the subject is supposed to have an acrimonious tendency in the blood, or displays the least appearance of cutaneous eruption in any other part of the body, the best method will be to put him upon a course of ANTIMONIAL ALTERATIVES, which he will consume with his corn without farther trouble.

MALLOWS

,—as well as MARSH-MALLOWS, are ingredients so useful and efficacious in fomentations, and emollient cataplasms, upon various unexpected emergencies, that the house of a SPORTSMAN in the country should never be without them.

MALT, GROUND

—is an article of the utmost utility when incorporated with an equal quantity of bran, and given in a mash to horses labouring under cough, bodily debility, (from over fatigue,) or disease; it possesses the property of invigoration, is highly nutritive; and, by its attracting fragrancy, horses are induced to take it in small quantities, during the progress of dangerous diseases, when they refuse every other kind of food. Mashes thus made, and given nightly, are useful in promoting CONDITION, as well as a proper vehicle for ALTERATIVE powders, or during the operation of PHYSIC.

MANEGE

.—The MANEGE is a term used in a synonymous sense with equestrian academy, or riding school; implying not only the receptacle itself, but the instructions there to be derived from those who profess to teach the ART of HORSEMANSHIP by riding the great horse. There are many of this description, and of much celebrity, in and round the Metropolis, replete with every convenience for the accommodation of gentlemen, and the breaking of horses; and for ladies also, who have the advantage of riding under cover at all seasons of the year. In every MANEGE a centrical spot is appropriated to the regulating the round or volts, in which is fixed a pillar; and to this horses are occasionally fastened in their first lessons. Other pillars are likewise placed in pairs at the sides of the manege, for the more perfect completion of their volts and airs.

The MANEGE may be properly divided into the GREATER and the LESSER; or, in the precise words of a modern writer, "the grand and petit manege: the former, or management of the great horse, intended purely for the purposes of parade and shew; the latter, confined solely to the utile of military tactics. The grand manege consists in teaching a horse, already perfectly broke in the common way, certain artificial motions, the chief of which are called the terra a terra, demi-volt, corvet, capriole, croupade, balotade, and the step and the leap; which last is a motion compounded of three airs; namely, the terra a terra, corvet, and the leap, by which the motion is finished. When a horse is perfect in all these, he is styled a full dressed, or maneged horse.

"The petit manege is that drilling, or training, by which the army riding-masters fit the horse for military service in the ranks. The chief objects of it are, to set him upon his haunches, and make him rein well; to give him a cadenced pace; to teach him to rein back, or retreat; to move sideways, to stand fire, and to leap. After these, a horse will soon become capable of all the necessary military evolutions. The common business of our town riding-schools, is to teach grown gentlemen and ladies, and to set ill-broken horses upon their haunches. It is well known that the grand manege has been long out of fashion in this country; and farther, that it has for years past been upon the decline in every other. I look upon it as a relict of that superstition in all things, which is the characteristic of barbarous times. It is unnecessary to any good or useful purpose, because all such, whether of parade or business, may be fully answered by the common, rational, and uninjurious management; whereas there is always more or less cruelty practised in completing the full-dressed horse; such, for instance, as severe whippings, the meaning of which the horse cannot possibly comprehend, and which are therefore unnatural and illegitimate measures; the labour and irritation also are excessive; and, after all, the natural paces of the horse are spoiled, and he is rendered unfit for common business; the only compensation for which is, that he has learned sundry harlequin tricks; two of which are, to skip like a GOAT, and kick up behind like an ASS."

MANE

—is the name by which the long hair is called hanging from the neck of a horse, and extending from the back of his ears to his withers: a handsome full mane adds much to the natural beauty of a well-formed horse, and is of course preserved, not more in respect to ornament, than its utility in mounting, to the ease and agility in which it affords material assistance.

MANGE in HORSES

.—The disorder so called, and with which only horses of the inferior sort are affected, originates in an impoverished state of the blood, occasioned by a want of proper healthy food, and a constant exposure to the elements in the severity of the winter season. When arrived at a certain degree of virulence, it becomes infectious, particularly as the warmer months of summer advance; and of this contagious property no doubt can be entertained; the LAW having provided a remedy, that no such horse shall be suffered to go at large, upon any lair, common, or parochial pasture, where there is a possibility of communicating the infection. The subjects of it are generally in a state of wretched emaciation, bearing the external appearance of leprosy, or partial excoriation: the leading symptoms are a perpetual itching behind the ears, down the mane on each side the neck, and at the insertion of the tail near the rump. These parts, from incessant rubbing to allay the irritation, are soon divested of the hair, to which a dirty kind of scurf appears, bearing upon its surface a malignant oily sort of moisture, which soon degenerates into variegated-coloured scabs, constituting a confirmed mange; which, the longer it is permitted to continue unrestrained in its progress, the more difficult a cure is to be obtained.

As the MANGE is principally a cutaneous disease, by which the skin only is materially affected, so the cure must chiefly depend upon external applications; prescriptions for which may be amply supplied from either old books, or new Veterinarians; neither of these being now difficult of attainment. If the disease has arisen from an impoverished state of living, and a consequent acrimonious state of the blood, altering its property, by a change of aliment, and more liberal invigoration of the system, will greatly tend to the promoting a speedy obliteration. Should a horse in high HEALTH, FLESH, and CONDITION, have received the disease by infection, BLEEDING, evacuants, or alteratives, should be brought into use in aid of external applications.

MANGE in DOGS

—will be found fully treated on under a continuation of the head Hounds, in page 485 of the first Volume.

MANGER

—is the name by which the trough is called that is fixed in all stables, and from whence a horse eats his corn or mashes; it is usually placed under his rack, from which he receives his hay; and this, in well-managed stables, is not deposited there in large quantities, but in light proportions, and at stated periods. It is an excellent and healthy custom, though, perhaps, not much in practice, to let all MANGERS, in constant use, have a substantial scrubbing with soap, brush, and boiling water, once a month; the absolute necessity for which may be seen by making an occasional observation upon the filthy state of mangers in general, particularly at INNS upon the ROADS, and LIVERY STABLES in the Metropolis.

MARE

—is the well-known feminine of the HORSE, but not held of equal value with the masculine in respect to the gender, which is not only troublesome, but found to be productive of temporary debility at certain seasons of the year. Mares are evidently weaker, and less adequate to severe work, during the time they give proof of a desire to copulate, than at any other; which, perhaps, is the principal reason why GELDINGS are so generally preferred, as far as they can be obtained. Notwithstanding this partiality, MARES are not without their advocates, and have their conveniencies: in cases of LAMENESS, or other occurrences in the long list of casual ills, they, of course, become appropriate to the purpose of PROPAGATION, without much loss being sustained. Those, however, who expect to derive either pleasure, emolument, or a gratification of ambition, from BREEDING, must be a little prudent and circumspect in the shape, make, distinct points, and general symmetry, of the MARE, before they too hastily embark in so critical, and so truly expensive, an undertaking. Although it is a maxim universally admitted, that an equal degree of precaution should be used in respect to the HORSE, it is doubly and trebly necessary with the mare; because strict observation has demonstrated, that nearly, or full two out of every three FOALS, display, in their appearance, more of the DAM than the SIRE: and that there are more FILLIES than COLTS fallen every year, will not admit of a doubt.

A variety of opinions are held, and occasionally propagated, upon the best and most proper age for putting a mare to horse: that a FILLY covered in her third year, will produce a fine healthy foal in her fourth, is sufficiently known; and that BROOD MARES bring forth excellent stock from their twentieth to their twenty-fifth year, is equally true; but if the two extremes are avoided (when it can be conveniently done so) the produce may most likely come some few shades nearer perfection. In the first instance it is fair to infer, that the component parts may not have reached the extreme points of STRENGTH and MATURITY; and that in the latter, from the natural effect of AGE, the frame is verging upon decay; and that the LACTEALS from whence the NUTRIMENT for the FOAL is to be obtained, must be contracted in proportion.

The best and most approved season for letting the mare take the horse, where the produce is bred for general purposes, is from the first week in May to the last in June; as then the offspring is dropt in April or May in the following year, and are the properest months a foal can fall in, to have the advantage of all the summer for growth and expansion, preparatory to the drawback of WEANING, and the ensuing severity of the winter. Mares during the time of GESTATION, are liable, but very little subject to ABORTION; reasonable work, and moderate exertions, affect them but slightly in that way; nor does the disappointment but seldom happen, unless by some severe, cruel, or inhuman treatment. Mares are the most uncertain of all animals in bringing forth from the time of conception. Numerous attempts have been made to discover the precise time of a mare's carrying her foal, which, however, does not yet appear to have been ascertained to a certainty. Long-standing opinions and authority, transmitted from one posterity to another, has established at eleven months and as many days as the mare happens to be years old: strict attention, in a variety of instances, to both the LUNAR and CALENDAR months, has proved the uncertainty of this calculation, and left them, in those events, dependent upon neither one or the other. Certain it is, they go many days longer with a COLT FOAL than they do with a FILLY; and cases frequently occur, where a mare carries her foal within a few days of the twelve months.

MARK!

—a term used by SPORTSMEN, particularly in COVERT SHOOTING, where they are necessarily separated from each other; when one of the party, having sprung a PHEASANT, or flushed a COCK, (at which he either did not get a shot, or missed his aim,) he then vociferates the signal, MARK! in a hope his companion may get a shot, or mark the spot near where he alights, to insure a better chance of his recovery. It is also used in partridge shooting, where hedges or hedge-rows interrupt the sight, or divide the parties.

MARK in the MOUTH

.—The black cavity in the TEETH of a HORSE, by which his age is correctly known till seven years old, is called the mark; when which is obliterated, the age can be no longer precisely ascertained. Dealers adopt a successful mode of deception, by which the young and inexperienced are frequently imposed upon. See Bishoping and Colt.

MARK ANTHONY

,—the name of a horse of some celebrity as a RACER, and equal to any horse of his time: he was bred by Mr. C. Blake, and foaled in 1767: he was got by that known good horse Spectator (who was got by Crab) out of Rachel, (who was got by Blank;) her dam by Regulus, grand-dam by Soreheels. He acquired some reputation as a STALLION, and was the sire of several good runners.

MARSK

—was a horse whose distinguished celebrity arose more from chance than any peculiar merits of his own. He was bred by the then Duke of Cumberland; was foaled in 1750; got by Squirt, (who was got by Bartlet's Childers;) dam by Blacklegs, grand-dam by Fox Cub. Although his blood and racing ability stood fairly admitted, yet, so far from having acquired any reputation as a STALLION, he was permitted to COVER common mares at the Lodge, in Windsor Great Park, for only half-a-guinea, which was the GROOM'S FEE. Precisely at this period (in the year 1763) Spilletta, the dam of Eclipse, having proved barren for two or three years in succession, a new experiment was made, and she was covered by both Shakespeare and Marsk in the same season; when stinted, and some time after perceptibly in foal, it was uncertain who was to be declared the SIRE, till the produce falling to correspond with the last leap from Marsk, he became (from Eclipse's astonishing powers) loaded with honours, publicly acknowledged the sire with an enhanced reputation, and a constantly increasing seraglio; from which time he continued a stallion of the first eminence, and produced a progeny of winners by much too long for introduction under this head. Spilletta afterwards produced Proserpine by Marsk, foaled in 1766; and that well-known horse Garrick, foaled in 1772; both excellent runners.

MARTIN, or MARTERN

,—is an animal inhabiting woods and bushy coverts, rather inferior in size to a domestic cat, but longer in the neck and body, having a head and tail corresponding in make and shape with the FOX, but not so sharp-pointed in the ears. They are nearly as expert in climbing trees, and leaping from one to another, as a squirrel; they breed in the hollows of trees, and produce four, five, and even six, young at a time. They live upon poultry, game, and birds: most probably the casual food of the FOX is taken by the MARTIN also. As, by their great agility in climbing, they become a most destructive enemy to PHEASANTS, so by their SCENT they are frequently the subject of much mortifying disappointment to a field of expectant sportsmen. When found amidst the bushes, the general burst of the finding hounds is as great as when a FOX is unkenneled, and so continues, till, being closely pressed, some friendly tree (probably clothed with ivy) suddenly terminates the deceptive chase.

MARTINGAL

.—The article so named is of two kinds; one of which is termed a HEADSTALL martingal; the other, simply, a martingal: each consists of a long strip of leather, about an inch and a half wide, passing between the fore-legs, with a loop or wide noose at its extremity, through which the hinder girth is to pass, and by which it is secured at that end: at the front of the breast it divides into two equal branches; and having SWIVEL RINGS at the extremity of each, they are slipt on upon the bridoon (or snaffle) rein, and are used to keep down the head of a hard-mouthed or high-staring horse, that he may see the ground upon which he is to move with less danger to the neck of the RIDER. The headstall martingal is of similar construction, except its having a headstall the same as a bridle, to which the divided branches before described are united at the cheek on each side; but this is a hazardous practice, and should only be used with COLTS in breaking; for if a horse once stumbles in action, he is so confined, that his sudden exertion to raise his head, and to recover himself, being counteracted, he almost inevitably comes to the ground.

MASH

—is a name given to a kind of universal PANACEA for horses during a course of PHYSIC, or labouring under COUGH, COLD, or DISEASE. Mashes are differently made, according to the necessity which occasions their being brought into use: some are made with BRAN and HONEY; others with equal parts of OATS and BRAN, with or without honey; but the most fragrant, useful, attracting, and invigorating, is made from GROUND MALT, with such proportion of BRAN as will disunite the glutinous adhesive property of the MALT, and reduce its sweetness enough to prevent a satiety by its clamminess in mastication. Malt mashes (and the liquid pressed from them) horses will generally take in different dangerous disorders, as FEVERS, INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS, STRANGLES, &c. when they will take (spontaneously) no other kind of FOOD or NUTRIMENT. Mashes should be always made of ingredients perfectly SWEET, without the least taint of mustiness, and in pails or vessels free from every possibility of grease; they should also be prepared with water boiling hot, which being once stirred together, may then be covered down till of a proper warmth to be placed in the manger; which should never be of greater heat than new milk from the cow, unless in cases where a FUMIGATION may be required to relax and take off a stricture from the glandular parts, and promote a discharge from the nostrils.

MASTER of the HORSE

—is an office of high honor and great trust, seldom conferred upon any but some distinguished individual of the peerage, in possession of his Majesty's confidence, and honored with his personal approbation. The department of the MASTER of the HORSE is of very considerable magnitude, possessing a greater extent of patronage than almost any other appointment in the GIFT of the Crown. The Master of the Horse is the supreme superintendant of every thing appertaining to the establishment of the King's stables and their contents. It is within his official department to take cognizance of every part of the royal retinue in which HORSES, CARRIAGES, and their requisite attendants, are concerned; as well as personally to attend upon his Majesty whenever they are employed; but more particularly upon all public occasions, and in all PROCESSIONS of STATE. He also appears in personal attendance upon his Majesty in the chase; unless upon some occasions, by the King's permission, or particular desire, that official service is dispensed with. Subordinate to the Master of the Horse in the stable establishment, are the equerries, pages of honor, clerk of the stables, yeomen riders, mews-keepers, coachmen, footmen, grooms, postillions, and helpers, exclusive of saddlers, coach, harness, and bit-makers. The establishment of the ROYAL HUNT is also officially announced in the department of the Master of the Horse; although the patronage and appointments remain of course with the Master of the Stag Hounds.

MASTER of the STAG HOUNDS

. See King's Hounds.

MATCH COCK

.—A cock intended to fight in a MATCH, must not be less in weight than three pounds six ounces, or exceed four pounds eight: if either less than the first, or more than the latter, he cannot be shewn or brought to the SCALE. See Main of Cocks.

MATCH in RACING

—is a BET made between the OWNERS where only two horses are concerned, one of which must become the winner. For explanatory particulars, see Horse Racing. Horses are said to MATCH (for a carriage) when they correspond, and constitute a similitude in height, marks, action, and color. A HUNTING MATCH (generally termed a steeple chase) is made by parties, to ride their own horses across a country to some point agreed on, encountering all difficulties, and taking the LEAPS in stroke: this kind of match is, upon most occasions, run with a few couple of hounds; a person going forward with a DRAG to the spot appointed where the match is to be decided.

MATCHEM

—was a horse the most eminent of his time as a RACER, and for many years was the most esteemed STALLION in the kingdom. He was bred by Mr. Fenwick, foaled in 1748; got by Cade, dam by Partner, grand-dam by Makeless, great grand-dam by Brimmer, &c. &c. He produced an annual succession of winners (many of them excellent runners) too long for enumeration.

MERCURY

—is become an article of so much medical utility with HORSES, as well as with the human species, that it seems entitled to some mention here, being a specific much talked of, but not universally understood. Mercury (alias quicksilver) is an opaque silver-colored mineral fluid, appearing to the eye like melted TIN or LEAD; it is heavier than any other fluid, and does not congeal in the greatest degree of natural cold ever yet known. This mineral is met with in its fluid form in the earth, or extracted by art from certain metallic ores. There are considerable mines of it in Hungary and Spain; but the greatest quantities are brought from the East Indies. The use of mercury was but little known till within the last century; and its more subtle preparations, with their efficacious properties, of a much later date. The ancients looked upon it as a confirmed corrosive poison, though perfectly void of acrimony, taste, and smell. Experiments have been made, and instances proved, of its having been lodged for years in cavities of both bones and fleshy parts, without the least injury, or smallest sensible or perceptible effect. Taken into the human body in its crude and undivided state, it passes through the intestinal canal unchanged, and has not been found to produce the least inconvenience.

Notwithstanding the mildness and inactivity of QUICKSILVER in its crude and undivided state, yet, when resolved by FIRE into FUME, or otherwise divided into very minute particles, and prevented from re-uniting by the interposition of proper substances, or combined with mineral acids, it has very powerful effects, affording the most violent POISONS, and yielding the most excellent and salutary remedies, of any with which the medical world are acquainted. There are now (introduced upon the broad basis of experimental practice) a variety of mercurial preparations, some of which are given internally; others are introduced (or rather insinuated) into the habit by external application, either in a liquid solution, or in an unctuous form: in whatever way it be administered internally, or applied externally, it evidently possesses the power of solving all stagnant fluids, liquifying the viscid juices which obstruct the finer vessels, and most minute passages; and has been known, by patient perseverance, to obliterate cancerous affections, and schirrosities of dangerous magnitude. The fundamental effects of mercury (or rather mercurial preparations) do not depend upon the increase of the sensible evacuations; as its gradual introduction into the habit (or system) of either man, or beast, may be so managed, by judicious proportions, as to promote excretion through the different emunctories, without perceptibly deranging the frame of one or the other.

Thus much being introduced upon the properties of mercury and its preparations, as applicable to the convenience of those who may not have entered into medical disquisition, it becomes necessary to advert to its use, now become so evidently efficacious in many of the disquietudes and disorders to which horses (as well as ourselves) are so constantly liable. The only modes by which it can be with prudence and safety administered to a horse, is either in a course of PURGATIVES, in the form of CALOMEL incorporated with the cathartic ingredients, or introduced as an ALTERATIVE, by throwing daily very small quantities of that article into the system; or the better alternative (if meant as an alterative) of giving the ÆTHIOP'S MINERAL, in doses of two drachms each, every morning, mixed up with a cordial ball. Much DANGER, and many LOSSES, having recently occurred with individuals from a too free use of calomel in PURGING BALLS, where horses, from a certain degree of constitutional irritability, or a want of proper care and attention during their physic, have died in the most excruciating agonies, with only two or three drachms (unless erroneously weighed in the shops) of calomel; it certainly will be the most PRUDENT, evidently the most SAFE, to adopt the three gradational quantities of a drachm, a drachm and a half, or two drachms, according to the size, strength, and constitution, of the horse, taking care never to exceed that quantity even with the strongest.

MERCURY

—was the name of a horse, that, as a RACER, and afterwards a STALLION, stood very high in sporting estimation. He was bred by the late Colonel O'Kelly; foaled in 1778; was got by Eclipse out of a Tartar mare, who was likewise the dam of Whitenose, Maria, Antiochus, Venus, Jupiter, Adonis, Lilly of the Valley, Volunteer, Bonnyface, and Queen Mab. After having acquired considerable celebrity as a good runner, and proved himself equal to any horse of his time, he became a favourite STALLION in the possession of Lord Egremont, where he has produced a numerous progeny, including a very great number of winners, many of much note; and amongst the rest, the following celebrated horses, some of whom are stallions in high reputation: Calomel, Sublimate, Hippolyta, Mercutio, Old Gold, Precipitate, Quicksilver, Young Mercutio, Felix, Cinnabar, Mother Bunch, Hermes, Pill Box, Silver, Transit, Gohanna, Caustic, Stadholder, Buckingham, &c. &c.

MESHES

—are the vacancies in all kinds of NET-WORK, of which there are various sorts, with their meshes of different dimensions; as the gate-net, flue-net, tunnel-net, drawing-net, casting-net, &c. &c. as adapted to their distinct uses, for taking either FISH or FOWL.

MEUSE

—is the opening at the bottom of quick-set and other hedges, as well as in the bushy underwood of COVERTS, through which HARES take their track, when going to, or coming from, FEED during the night. At these meuses the expert and experienced POACHER fixes his wires (commonly called snares) with so much security, and confidence of success, that he generally insures a tolerable proportion to his own share, according to the stock of the country.

MEWING

—is an old forest term for a STAG'S shedding his horns.

MEWS

—is a receptacle for horses and carriages, appropriated to no other use whatever. The buildings consist of stables and coach-houses only, with conveniencies above for the residence of coachmen and their families. In all the newly-erected squares and streets at the western extremity of the Metropolis, most of the houses are so constructed, that the master and servants have access to the stables by a communication at the back of the dwelling-house, without the inconvenience of passing through the streets.

MOLTEN GREASE

.—This disorder is defined by every writer in succession, a solution of the FAT with which a horse may abound, when brought into sudden and excessive action; that in its state of liquefaction, a great part falls upon the intestines, there becomes in a certain degree incorporated with the contents, and is more or less discharged in an oily state with the excrements. This is proved by long experience to be a well-founded description of both the case and the cause, which very frequently prove fatal, and that in a short time, without the lest relief or alleviation to be obtained from medicine. The leading symptoms are preceded by an agitated trembling, with sudden starts or motions, as if frightened in the stall; this is succeeded by violent fever, with great heat and clamminess of the mouth, a shortness of breath, and difficulty of respiration, beyond description, bearing no ill affinity to the most distinguishing symptoms of a horse labouring under an inflammation of the lungs. The great hope of cure must depend upon plentiful bleeding without delay, and that to be repeated at short intervals, till the blood is divested of its sizey, viscid, and inflammatory appearances. If not soon relieved by such medical interposition as may be thought most applicable to the state he is in, great bodily debility speedily ensues, the frame gradually declines in flesh, and becomes emaciated, the skin adheres to the ribs, the solids begin to relax, the legs to swell; and if the blood and juices are not properly corrected, by a judicious mode of medical management, a general decay may be expelled in glanders, farcy, or some one of the diseases which terminate fatally.

MOON EYES

.—Horses said to have MOON EYES, or to be MOON-BLIND, is one of the relics of former superstition, when certain defects of the eyes were ridiculously supposed to have been influenced for better or worse, by the increasing or declining state of the MOON. Such opinions seem now to be wearing away, and verging upon oblivion, in proportion as the structure of the parts, as well as the remedies to relieve, become more perfectly comprehended by the indefatigable researches of Veterinarian investigation.

MOOR GAME

.—See Grouse, Heath Fowl, and Game.

MORTIFICATION

.—This state, in a PHYSICAL sense, with either MAN or BEAST, is the total cessation of vital heat in any part of the body or extremities, which then becomes, insensible, and is followed by putrefaction. When a mortification arises from some external injury done to the part, it is not preceded by a gangrene, but is produced by an absolute stagnation of the blood and juices, and all the injured parts become insensible and putrid at the same time, without any previous inflammation. A mortification arising from some internal cause, or a deficiency of natural heat, comes on in the same manner, but is more tardy in its progress, although it exhibits similar appearances; but the nature of the disease may be readily discovered. When an external injury is the cause, if an incision is made early in the diseased part, it will be found insensible, and nothing but extravasated blood will be discharged. In all cases of MORTIFICATION, the disease, with its concomitant symptoms, proceeds with a rapidity that sets every medical interposition and exertion at defiance, till DEATH closes the scene.

MOTION

.—A horse is said to be of easy motion, when he has a fine length of forehand, goes off the ground lightly with his head up, gliding his hind-legs under his carcase in action, without the straddling spring for which rough-going horses are so remarkable.

MOUTH

.—The good or bad mouth of a horse depends upon the pliability of his temper, and his obedience to the bit. Some horses (particularly those of violent and refractory dispositions) are so truly insensible to every effort of even the best riders, that hardly any kind of bit can be invented to reduce them to subjection; while, on the contrary, there are those, and even blood horses, of such good temper, and constitutional docility; that they may be regulated instantaneously to any purpose, by the most tender bearing of a common snaffle.

MULE

.—The MULE is that well-known cross-bred animal, generated between an ASS and a MARE. Some are, but very rarely, produced by the HORSE with a SHE ASS; but they are smaller, weaker, and of less utility, consequently not bred with design. The mule has all the good qualities of the ass, without its bad ones; it is as patient, and as permanent under labour; it can bear the most incessant fatigue, with the lead sustenance; is without the instinctive stupidity of the ass, and is equally tractable with the horse. The mule, when well descended, and well fed, is adequate to a variety of services, and will, if taken the same care of when young, nearly reach the size of a moderate horse. Many have measured fifteen hands high and upwards, are exceedingly strong and sure-footed, which qualities render them very valuable in the different parts of Europe where the countries are mountainous, and the roads stony, as they will travel with the greatest ease and security where a horse would be very likely to break his neck. They are likewise exceedingly useful in harness, and will draw immense weights for long journies without displaying the least fatigue.

The MULES bred in Spain, with a proper attention to their intentional use, whether for travelling or shew, are bred between very large he-asses and Spanish mares; these are exceedingly tall, stately, and their colour inclining to black. A still larger kind are, however, produced by these asses out of Flanders mares, some of which have been known to reach seventeen hands high, and of equal apparent strength to our common carriage horses; but they are much stronger than horses of their own size, will bear infinitely greater hardships, and are kept at a much less expence; as well as an additional recommendation, that they are not so subject to diseases, which is a material consideration to the justification of their more general use. They are found equally fit for the saddle, as for the more laborious employments of draft and agriculture; they are remarkably docile, are easily broke, and walk or trot with ease to themselves and to the rider.

It has been already remarked, under the head Mare, that foals more frequently take after the DAM than the SIRE, and this is perceptibly striking in MULES; for those bred between an ASS and a MARE, invariably partake more of the nature of the latter than the former; being in general of good formation, lively, swift, and tractable; inheriting only the good qualities of the ass, as his strength, patience, and perseverance, under fatigue; while, on the other hand, those bred betwixt a horse and a she-ass, are more of the nature of the latter, dull, heavy, sluggish, ill-formed, and small in size. What few mules are produced in this kingdom, at least the major part, may be probably bred more from chance than design, by the common intermixture and unrestrained association of asses with mares, upon the large wastes and commons in various parts of the country, where they are frequently seen in the act of propagation. Of mules, it is to be observed, that, although such intermediate animal is produced between the two which generate the third, there the prolific property ceases, and propagation goes no farther. Thus it is with a part of the feathered creation; it is known by those who breed, that a cock goldfinch, or a linnet, will pair with a hen canary, and produce young; but in that offspring the power of procreation entirely ceases, and they are therefore termed MULES.

MUTE

—is a sporting term, applied to a HOUND when he pursues his GAME by the scent, without giving tongue. As some are by much too free, and give tongue too hastily, when in a state of uncertainty, acquiring thereby the degrading denomination of a babbler; so there are others equally tardy in proclaiming the certainty when known. Hounds of each description are considered injurious to the discipline and desirable excellence of the pack, and are generally rejected so soon as their imperfections are known, and too much confirmed for reformation.

MUZZLE

.—Muzzles are made of leather, and are of two sorts; the one called a dressing, the other a setting, muzzle. The first is of the same form as the last, but of different construction, having a few straps crossing each other transversely, and so united as to be about nine inches in depth, and of a shape to cover the nose of the horse so high; to which are annexed two straps; one of which passes up the cheek on each side, and buckles at the top of the head behind the ears; the use of this is to dress such horses in as are disposed to vice with the teeth, as well to prevent the MANGER from injury, as the GROOM from danger. The other is in little use, except in TRAINING STABLES; its form is not unlike the exact shape of a common water-pail, being made of the thickness of substantial leather, having a number of round holes punched in every part of it, for the free admission of air, and is brought into use on those nights preceding a horse's RUNNING engagement on the following day; as well as before taking a SWEAT, or running a TRIAL. It is called a SETTING-MUZZLE, because, when put on, the horse is said "to be set," (that is, to fast;) and the intent is to prevent his consuming the litter, or obtaining more food than what the training-groom has a perfect knowledge of.