I. Hawking practised by the Nobility--II. Its Origin not well known;--a favourite Amusement with the Saxons--III. Romantic Story relative to Hawking--IV. Grand Falconer of France, his State and Privileges--V. Edward III. partial to Hawking;--Sir Thomas Jermin--VI. Ladies fond of Hawking--VII. Its Decline--VIII. How it was performed--IX. Embellishments of the Hawk--X. Treatises concerning Hawking;--Superstitious Cure of Hawks--XI. Laws respecting Hawks--XII. Their great Value--XIII. The different Species of Hawks, and their Appropriation--XIV. Terms used in Hawking--XV. Fowling and Fishing;--the Stalking Horse;--Lowbelling 24 CHAPTER III. I. Horse-racing known to the Saxons--II. Races in Smithfield, and why--III. Races, at what Seasons practised--IV. The Chester Races--V. Stamford Races--VI. Value of Running-horses--VII. Highly prized by the Poets, &c.--VIII. Horse-racing commended as a liberal Pastime--IX. Charles II. and other Monarchs encouragers of Horse-racing;--Races on Coleshill-heath 40 BOOK II. RURAL EXERCISES GENERALLY PRACTISED. CHAPTER I. I. The English famous for their Skill in Archery--II. The use of the Bow known to the Saxons and Danes--III. Form of the Saxon Bow, &c.--IV. Archery improved by the Normans--V. The Ladies fond of Archery--VI. Observations relative to the Cross-Bow--VII. Its Form and the Manner in which it was used--VIII. Bows ordered to be kept--IX. The decay of Archery and why--X. Ordinances in its Favour;--the Fraternity of St. George established--XI. The Price of Bows--XII. Equipments for Archery--XIII. Directions for its Practice--XIV. The Marks to shoot at--XV. The Length of the Bow and Arrows--XVI. Extraordinary Performances of the Archers--XVII. The modern Archers inferior to the ancient in long Shooting--XVIII. The Duke of Shoreditch, why so called;--grand Procession of the London Archers--XIX. Archery a royal Sport;--a good Archer, why called Arthur--XX. Prizes given to the Archers 48 CHAPTER II. I. Slinging of Stones an ancient Art--II. Known to the Saxons--III. And the Normans--IV. How practised of late Years--V. Throwing of Weights and Stones with the Hand--VI. By the Londoners--VII. Casting of the Bar and Hammer--VIII. Of Spears--IX. Of Quoits--X. Swinging of Dumb Bells--XI. Foot Races--XII. The Game of Base--XIII. Wrestling much practised formerly--XIV. Prizes for--XV. How performed--XVI. Swimming--XVII. Sliding--XVIII. Skating--XIX. Rowing--XX. Sailing 71 CHAPTER III.