ASSART. which possess a power of making the living fibres of muscles contract, when preternaturally relaxed, and unfit to perform their natural functions. animal covered with hair, probably | fifteen minutes with him on the road owing to the hardness and dryness for a wager, and that he would back of his skin; and it is perhaps for him to do it in less; at the same the same reason that he is less sen- time giving me his address, when I sible to the whip and spur than the found he was a blacksmith residing horse. Asses in general carry the at Mitcham in Surrey. Do you heaviest burdens, in proportion to keep your ass on Mitcham Comtheir bulk; and as their keeping mon' said I, anticipating his ancosts little or nothing, it is surpris- swer. Oh, no,' replied the son of ing that they are not put to more Vulcan, he has never been out of uses than they generally are among my stable for three years, and he us. That his performances would eats as good oats and beans as your be of far greater account, and his horse does.' It is accounted for,' size and ability to labour might be said I to my friend: so we pulled greatly increased, if well fed, we up our horses, and gave Neddy the have not only the result of an ex- road." periment by the Earl of Egremont, An offence against who made a successful trial of this the forest laws, consisting in deanimal to cart coals upon the road: stroying the thickets or coverts. Mr. John Lawrence informs us that ASTRINGENTS. Medicines he well remembers an ass, the property of a coachmaster at Colchester, "which for the two previous years successively had carried the post-boy with the mail between that town and the metropolis, a distance of fifty-one miles." The following anecdote from the Sporting Magazine will prove that the ass, when in condition, is so far exalted in the scale as nearly to approach the horse. "On my return,' says the writer, "from Epsom races, on the Derby day (1824), my attention was attracted to what is vulgarly yclept a 'donkey chaise," in which were a man and a woman of no small dimensions, going at a very rapid pace, and drawn by a small ass. Curiosity led me to follow them, when, as far as I could judge by the pace of my own horse, I found they were going at the rate of nine miles an hour, on a very indifferent road. On being observed by a friend, he rode up to me and told me he had seen this humble vehicle, on its way to the course in the morning, give what is called the go-by to several carriages and four, and that he was equally struck with the extraordinary appearance and action of the animal. On my asking the owner a few questions about him, he informed me that he had done three miles in 66 ATALANTA, ch. foaled 1769, bred by Mr. Coates, was got by Matchem out of Lass of the Mill, by Oroonoko; grandam by Old Tra veller; great grandam Miss Makeless, by Young Greyhound:-Old Partner, Woodcock, Croft's Bay Barb, Makeless, Brimmer, Dicky Pierson, Burton Barb mare. In September, 1772, Atalanta started for a sweepstakes of twenty guineas each, at Richmond, two miles, against Perdita, by Herod. Atalanta bolted, leaped the cords, and ran considerably out of the road; notwithstanding, she gained half a distance by her speed afterwards, and it was the general opinion, would have won, had she kept her ground. 1773, August 23d, Atalanta, rode by John Kirton, ran second to Prudence, by Swiss (John Arnull), at York, for a sweepstakes of fifty gs. each, four miles; 3 to 1 on Atalanta, who ran out of the course. August 27th, this resolute and fiery mare, rode by Thomas Garnett, a man of vast strength and powerful nerve, won a maiden plate of 50l., C bian, 5 yrs. 7 st. 7 lb. 4 3 dr. Mr. Barlow's b. h. Burford, Six to 4 against Atalanta; 6 to 4 against Mecca; 4 to 1 against Speculator; 10 to 1 against Burford : after the first heat, 2 to 1 on Ata two mile heats, at three heats, beating Speculator, by Snap, who won the first, in consequence of Atalanta turning restive. At starting, 2 to 1 against Atalanta; after the first heat, 5 to 4 on Speculator, 10 to 1 against Atalanta; after the second, 2 to 1 on the winner. Sept. 8th, she won a sweepstakes of twenty gs. each (Garnett), for four year olds, three miles, six subs. at Rich-lanta; after the second, 6 to 4 on mond, beating Clementina, by Jalap. Speculator. After this race, Mr. At starting, 7 to 4 on Atalanta; in Vernon purchased Atalanta for six running, 10 to 1 against her: in the hundred guineas, and at the Newlast half mile she ran out of the market Houghton Meeting, carrying course a considerable way, and yet 8 st. 6 lb. she beat Lord Ossory's won easily. Next day she won 50l. Comus, by Otho, 4 yrs. 8 st. B. C. for four year olds (Garnett), at three 200 gs.; 6 to 4 on Comus. two mile heats, beating Mr. Bethell's Mustard, by Matchem; 6 to 4 on Mustard; after the first heat, 6 to 1 on Mustard; after the second, 5 to 4 on Atalanta. In the first heat, Atalanta ran restive and nearly dismounted her rider. In running the third heat, 2 to 1 alternately on each; fine racing till within the distance, when the mare ran in without any trouble. Sept. 27th, she won 50l. at Doncaster (Garnett), for four year olds, &c. at two two-mile heats, beating Pan-worth's b. h. Tartar, 8 to 1 on Ataglos, Clementina, and Little Star; 6 to 4; and after the heat, 2 to 1 on Atalanta. Sept. 29th, she won 50l. give and take, four mile heats (rode by T. Garnett), beating Furiband; 2 to 1 on Atalanta. In 1775, Atalanta had thirteen engagements, and won seven times; viz. the king's plate, for mares, at Newmarket, in the spring, and 50l. at the second spring meeting; the gold cup and the town purse of sixty guineas, at Ipswich; walked over for fifty guineas, for six yrs. old and aged horses, at the Newmarket July meeting; in August she won the king's plate at Lewes, 12 st. fourmile heats, beating Mr. Shuttle lanta; after the heat, 15 to 1. Sept. 4th, at 9 st. she won a sweepstakes over the B. C. beating Mr. Fox's Harbinger, 5 yrs. 7 st. and Sir C. Bunbury's Alexis, 5 yrs. 9st. Mr. Fox staked 200 gs. and Sir Charles and Mr. Vernon, 100 gs. each; even betting on Harbinger. In the spring of 1776, she started three times at Newmarket, but proved unsuccessful; she then became the property of Mr. Garforth, and in August following, at York, rode by Leonard Sewison, she beat the Hon. J. S. Barry's Forester, rode by John Mangle, for 50l., for 6 yrs. olds and aged, four-mile heats. At starting, 6 to 4 on Atalanta; after the heat, 4 to 1 she won. Two well contested heats. This very superior mare died the latter end of the year 1796, aged twenty-seven. At her interment Mr. Garforth's steward attended; a liberal supply of bread and ale was distributed among the multitude assembled. She was dam of Faith, by Pacolet; Young Pacolet, by Pacolet; Harold, by True Blue; Fox, by Foxhunter; Rosulind, by Phenomenon; Flora, by King Fergus; Yarico, by King Fergus; and Bradamante (her last produce), by Young Morwick. ATTACHMENTS OF THE FOREST. One of the four courts held in the king's forests. The lowest court is called the Court of Attachment, or Woodmote Court; the second, the Court of Regard, or Survey of Dogs; the third, Sweinmote; the highest, the Justice in Eyre's Seat. This attachment is by three means: by goods and chattels; by body, pledges and mainprize; or by body only. This court is held every forty days throughout the year: hence it is also termed Forty Days' Court. ATTAINT. A wound caused by a horse over-reaching; that is, striking the toe of his hind foot against his fore leg. See OVER-REACH. ATTIRE of a deer. Of a stag, if perfect, is called the burr: the pearls (the little knobs on it), the beam; the gutters, the antler; the fur-antler royal, fur-royal; and all at top, the croches. OF A BUCK; the burr, the beam; the brow-antler, the fur-antler; the advancer, palm, and spellers. If croches grow in the form of a man's hand, it is then called a palmed head. Heads bearing not above three or four, the croches being placed aloft, all of one height, are called crowned heads; heads having doubling croches, are called forked heads; because the croches are planted on the top of the beam, like forks. If you are asked what a stag bears, you are only to reckon the croches he bears, and never to express an odd number: as, if he hath four croches on his near horn, and five on his far, you must say he bears ten, a false right on his near horn (for all that the beam bears are called rights): but if four on the near horn, you may say he bears twelve, a double false right on the near horn: for you must not only make the number even, but also the horns even with that distinction. AUBIN. A broken pace of a horse, between an amble and a gallop; accounted a defect. AVANCER. See ADVANCER. AVERTI (in the Manège). A French word denoting a horse's motion that is enjoined or regulated and required in the lessons. In this sense they say pas averté. AVIARY. A place set apart for the breeding, keeping, and feeding of birds. Lænius Strabo, an opulent and luxurious Roman, was the first who introduced aviaries upon an extensive scale, and erected one at his villa near Brundusium. Varro, however, outshone all in his ornithological buildings at his country house near Casinum. He informs us that in his days there were two descriptions of aviaries: one for containing birds intended for the table; and the other, for birds remarkable for their song or plumage. The former were built entirely for use; but the latter were often beautiful pavilions, with a saloon in the centre, for company to sit in and enjoy the melody of the feathered songsters. Aviaries have never, in modern times, equalled the splendour of those of the Romans. The Duke of Bedford's aviary at Woburn Abbey, however, is of great extent and value; and Malmaison, one of the palaces of the late Emperor Napoleon, contains an aviary at once large, elegant, and well stocked with birds from all quarters of the globe. AYRY. See AIRY. BABBLING. A term applied to hounds that are too busy, and upon whose tongues no dependance whatever can be placed any situation or under any circumstances. BABRAHAM. A bay horse, foaled 1740, bred by Lord Godolphin, afterwards the property of Mr. Benjamin Rogers, of Mickleham, Surrey, was got by his lordship's Arabian, out of the large Hartley mare by Captain Hartley's blind horse; grandam Flying Whig, by the Woodstock Arabian, sister to the Bold Galloway, out of a daughter of Whynot. Babraham was a magnificent horse, sixteen hands high, master of eighteen stone; when in training he beat Bustard, Little Driver, Old England, Sultan, Wafer, &c. Of his excellence as a stallion, the Stud Book affords ample proof. Few instances can be adduced of a horse running in such high form as Babraham did, and covering mares the same season. This fine racer and good stallion died in 1760, aged twenty. B or other parts bloody, he is judged to have killed a deer, though not found hunting or chasing. 3. Dogdraw, when a man is found drawing after a deer, by the scent of a hound which he leads in his hand. 4. Stable-stand, when found standing in a forest with bow bent ready to shoot, or close by a tree with greyhounds ready to let slip. BACK-GAMMON, (bach-gammon, a little battle). A game played with dice, and thirty pieces or men, one half white, the other half dark coloured, upon a chequered table. It is said to have been invented in Wales, previous to the conquest. BACKING a colt. See HORSEMANSHIP. BACK-WORM, or FILANDER. A disease incident to hawks. These worms are about half a yard long; they lie wrapped up in a thin skin about the reins, and proceed from gross and viscous humours in the bowels, occasioned by ill digestion and want of natural heat. This distemper is easily discerned by the BACK. To back or mount a horse following symptoms, viz. by the (a dos) is to mount him bare-backed. hawk's stinking breath, casting her BACK (in the Manège). A horse's gorge, croaking in the night, tremback should be straight; hollow-bling, ruffling, and writhing her tail; backed is called saddle-backed: and by the muting, which is small horses of this description are gene- and unclean. rally light and carry their heads well, but are deficient in strength and service. A weak-backed horse is apt to stumble. BACKBERIND, or BACKBEROND. One of the four circumstances under which, according to Manwood, a forester may arrest an offender against vert or venison in the forest,1. When found bearing venison on his back. By the assize of the forest of Lancaster, adds he, "taken with the manner" is when one is found in the king's forest in any of these degrees: 2. Bloody hand, the offender being taken with his hands The back-worm is rarely quite killed, but a careful falconer giving her cloves of garlic, steeped in wormwood, once a month, and once a fortnight, against his putting her into the mew, which will qualify the worm; without this care she will be suddenly spoiled. There is another sort of filander, which lies in the gut or pannel, being long, small, white, and red worms-for cure take aloes hepatic, filings of iron, nutmeg, and as much honey as will serve to make them into a pill, which give her in the morning as soon as she has cast; and after she has muted it clean away, then give her good hot meat. BADGER (Bedour, Fr.) is an original native of the temperate climates of Europe, and is found, without any variety in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Britain, Poland, and Sweden. It breeds only twice in a year, and brings forth four or five at a time. The usual length of the badger is somewhat above two feet, exclusive of the tail, which is about six inches long; its eyes are small, and are placed in a black stripe, which begins behind the ears, and runs tapering towards the nose: the throat and legs are black; the back, sides, and tail are of a dirty gray, mixed with black; the legs are very short, strong, and thick; each foot consists of five toes; those on the fore feet are armed with strong claws, well adapted for digging its subterraneous habitation. The badger retires to the most secret recesses, where it digs its hole, and forms its habitation under ground. Its food consists chiefly of roots, fruits, grass, insects, and frogs. It is accused of destroying lambs and rabbits; but there seems to be no other reason for considering it as a beast of prey, than the analogy between its teeth, and those of carnivorous animals. Few creatures defend themselves better, or bite with greater keenness than the badger: on that account it is frequently baited with dogs trained for that purpose, and defends itself from their attacks with astonishing agility and success. Its motions are so quick, that a dog is often desperately wounded in the moment of assault, and obliged to fly. The thickness of the badger's skin and ་ the length and coarseness of its hair are an excellent defence against the bites of the dogs: its skin is so loose as to resist the impression of their teeth, and gives the animal an opportunity of turning itself round, and wounding its adversaries in their tenderest parts. In this manner this singular creature is able to resist repeated attacks both of men and dogs, from all quarters; till, being overpowered with numbers, and enfeebled by many desperate wounds, it is at last obliged to yield. BADGER HUNTING. In hunting the badger in a clear moonlight night, stop all the burrows except one or two, and therein place some sacks, fastened with drawing strings, which may shut him in as soon as he strains the bag. Some only place a hoop in the mouth of the sack, and so put it into the hole; and as soon as the badger is in the sack, and strains it, the sack slips from the hoop, and secures him in it, where he lies trembling till he is taken from his prison. The sacks, or bags, being thus set, cast off the hounds, beating about all the woods, hedges, and tufts round about for the compass of a mile or two; and what badgers are abroad, being alarmed by the hounds, will soon betake themselves to their burrows. Observe, that the person who is placed to watch the sacks, must stand close, and upon a clear wind; otherwise the badger will discover him, and immediately fly some other way into his burrow. But if the dogs can encounter him before he can take his sanctuary, he will then stand at bay like a boar, and make good sport, vigorously biting and clawing the dogs. In general, when they fight, they lay on their backs, using both teeth and nails; and, by blowing up their skins, defend themselves against the bites of the dogs, and the blows given by the men. When the badger finds that the terriers yearn him in his burrow, he will stop the hole betwixt him and the terriers; and, if |