The Greyhound now pursues the tim'rous Hare, And shoots along the Plain with swift Career; While the sly Game escapes beneath his Paws, He snaps deceitful Air with empty Jaws; Enrag'd, upon his Foe he quickly gains, And with wide Stretches measures o'er the Plains; Again the Cunning Creature winds around, While the fleet Dog o'ershoots, and loses Ground; Now Speed he doubles to regain the Way, And crushes in his Jaws the Screaming Prey. Many packs of hounds were advertised for sale during Anne's reign--not such large packs as we now have, but small packs, with which a man could then show sport, and yet the keeping of which need not be costly. Two or three are given for example's sake: 'Any Gentleman that hath a mind to purchase a good pack of cloddy strong Hounds, fit for any Country, from 15 couple to 10, may be accommodated,' etc. 'There are to be dispos'd of 18 Couple of Hare Hounds, well siz'd and well mark'd, at reasonable rates.' 'There are 9 Couple of good Fox Hounds (with a Tarrier) (4 Couple being stanch finders) to be sold at a very reasonable Price. These Hounds are as proper for Deer as Fox.' 'Lost the 16th Instant from the Earl of Litchfield's Foxhounds in some Woods near Crawford in Kent, a small White Beagle, with Red Spots on her Ears, and a short Tail, (being a Tarrier),' etc. There were cockney hunts, with deer, both at Hampstead and Muswell Hill, and live deer were bought and sold commonly; indeed there is one advertisement which has a touch of old Leadenhall Market about it. 'Any person who has Beagles, Foxes or Hares to dispose of, may hear of a Purchaser by giving Notice to the Porter at Sion Chappel near Hamsted.' One sport then in vogue must not be omitted from the list--otter-hunting. If you'd preserve a num'rous Finny Race, Let your fierce Dogs the Rav'nous Otter chase; Th' amphibious Creature ranges all the Shores, Shoots through the Waves, and ev'ry haunt explores: Or let the Gin his roving Steps betray, And save from hostile Jaws the Scaly Prey. Angling was extensively practised, with almost the same appliances and tackle as now, even down to the wicker creel at the side. Will Wimble 'makes a May fly to a Miracle; and furnishes the whole country with angle rods.' Isaac Walton had not long been dead (Dec. 15, 1683), and his disciples in the 'Contemplative Man's Recreation' were many and experienced. Hear what Gay says about making a fly to suit the water:--