Because the stag, by nature one of the freest denizens of the forest, can only be kept even under comparative restraint, by taking care that all around him intimates a complete state of forest and wilderness. Thus, there ought to be a variety of broken ground, of copse-wood, and of growing timber—of land, and of water. The soil and herbage must be left in its natural state; the long fern, amongst which the fawns delight to repose, must not be destroyed.
Why did the common people formerly call the forest “good,” and the greenwood “merry?”
Because of the pleasure they took in the scenes themselves, as well as in the pastimes which they afforded.
Why is a short gallop called a canter?
Because of its abbreviation from Canterbury, the name of the pace used by the monks in going to that city.
Why was a certain noise called the “hunt’s-up?”
Because it was made to rouse a person in a morning; originally a tune played to wake the sportsmen, and call them together, the purport of which was, The hunt is up! which was the subject of hunting ballads also.
This expression is common among the older poets. One Gray, it is said, grew into good estimation with Henry VIII. and the Duke of Somerset, “for making certaine merry ballades, whereof one chiefly was, the hunte is up! the hunte is up!” Shakspeare has—
Since arm from arm that voice doth us affray,
Hunting thee hence with hunts-up to the day.