RURAL SPORTS.

THE British Museum possesses a volume which contains the following very rare, and not more rare than curious, tracts on the subject of Rural Sports.

1. A very ancient edition of the Book of St. Albans, by Juliana Barnes. The title page is wanting. It is in black letter.

At the end is, "Imprinted at London, in Paules Church Yarde, at the sygue of the Lambe, by Abraham Vele."

This edition is not mentioned by Ames.

2. "AJEWELL FOR GENTRIE.

Being an exact Dictionary, or true Method to make any man understand all the Art, Secrets, and worthy Knowledges belonging to Hawking, Hunting, Fowling and Fishing. Together with all the true Measures for winding the HORNE.

Now newly published, and beautified with all the rarest experiments that are known and practised at this day.

Printed at London, for John Helme, and are to be sold at his shop, in St. Dunstanes Church

This is another edition of the former work, somewhat methodized and polished. B. L.

3. "THE

3. "THE GENTLEMENS ACADEMIE, OR THE BOOKE OF S. ALBANS.

Containing Three most exact and excellent Bookes. The first of Hawking, the second of all the proper termes of Hunting and the last of Armorie. All compiled by Juliana Barnes, in the Yere from the Incarnation of Christ 1486, and now reduced into a better method, by G. M.

London. Printed for Humphrey Lownes, and are to be sold at his Shop, in Paules Church Yard. 1595."

G. M. I presume is Gervase, or, as it is sometimes written, Jervase Markham. The Book of Armorie, at p. 41, seems to have been printed by a different person afterwards. The first part has no printer's name; the second has that of Valentine Sims.

4. "How To CHUSE, RIDE, TRAINE, AND DIET BOTH HUNTING HORSES AND RUNNING HORSES.

With all the Secrets thereto belonging discovered; an Arte never heere-to-fore written by any Authour.

Also a Discourse of Horsmanship, wherein the breeding and ryding of Horses for service in a briefe Manner is more methodically sette downe than hath beene heeretofore, with a more easie and direct Course for the Ignorant to at taine to the sayd Arte or Knowledge.

VOL. II.

R

Together

Together with a newe Addition for the Cure of Horses Diseases of what Kinde or Nature

soever.

Bramo assai, poco spero, nulla chieggio.

At London. Printed by James Roberts.
Anno Dom. 1599."

This rare tract, the first also of its kind, which discusses the subject of Farriery, is avowedly by Jervis Markham, who inscribes it

"To the Right Worshipfull and his singuler good Father, Ma. Robert Markham, of Citham, in the Countie of Notingham, Esquier."

It opens with this whimsical address to the "Gentlemen Readers."

"The winde, Gentlemen, standing in the mouth of my cave, hath blowne my loose papers into the worlde, and canonized mee as foolish in Paules Church Yarde, as Sybilla was wise in Cuma. I have written of a subject which many more then most excellent in the same arte have entreated. If, therefore, their perfections shall withdrawe your eyes from my labour; imagine it to be but a parenthesis intruding it selfe amongst their workes. And when And when you have over-read it, you shall finde it to detract nothing, but as a ready hand-mayde endevour to bring theyr pleasures to effect and discover that which hetherto hath beene observed.

If, therefore, I shall finde grace in your sights, my thanks shall be, that this my Treatise shall teach you howę to preserve your horses from tyring, which otherwise in the midst of your pleasures, would give over shamefully.

J. M."

The above is in black letter, very perfect, and a remarkably fine copy.

5. "COUNTREY CONTENTMENTS.

In two Bookes. The First containing the whole Art of riding great Horses in very short time, with the breeding, breaking, dyeting and ordring of them, and of running, hunting, and ambling Horses, with the Manner how to use them in their travell.

Likewise in Two newe Treatises, the Arts of Hunting, Hawking, Coursing of Grey-Hounds, with the Lawes of the Leash, Shooting, Bowling, Tennis, Baloone, &c.

The Second entituled THE ENGLISH HUSWIFE,

Containing the inward and outward Vertues, which ought to be in a compleate Woman, as her Phisicke, Cookery, Banqueting Stuffe, Distillation, Perfumes, Wooll, Hemp, Flaxe, Dairies, Brewing, Baking, and all other things belonging to an Houshold.

A Worke very profitable and necessary for the general Good of this Kingdome.

A une je servierai.

Printed at London, by J. B. for R. Jaekson, and are to be sold at his Shop, neere Fleet Street Conduit. 1615."

This is also the performance of Gervase Markham, who inscribes it

"To the Thrice noble and vertuous Maintainer and furtherer of all law full and worthy Pleasures, Sir Theodore Newton, Knight."

In this Tract the Author gives the following description of a perfect grey-hound, left, as he says, in "old rime by our forefathers."

The second book containing the English Huswife is unfortunately wanting in this copy.

6. "A BOOK OF FISHING WITH HOOKE AND LINE, and of all other Instruments thereunto belonging.

ANOTHER of Sundrie Engines and Trappes to take Polcats, Buzards, Rattes, Mice, and all other kindes of Vermine and Beasts whatsoever,

most