JAMES SILVESTER, SEN.
NOTES OF A READER.
KNOWLEDGE FOR THE PEOPLE; OR, THE PLAIN WHY AND BECAUSE.
Part 6.--Sports and Pastimes.
We quote the following from HUNTING:
Why is it inferred that hunting was practised by the ancient Britons?
Because Dionysius (who lived 50 B.C.) says, that the inhabitants of the northern part of this island tilled no ground, but lived in great part upon the food they procured by hunting. Strabo (nearly contemporary) also says, that the dogs bred in Britain were highly esteemed upon the continent, on account of their excellent qualities for hunting.
Cæsar tells us, that venison constituted a great portion of their food; and as they had in their possession such dogs as were naturally prone to the chase, there can be little doubt that they would exercise them for procuring their favourite diet; besides, they kept large herds of cattle and flocks of sheep, both of which required protection from the wolves and other ferocious animals that infested the woods and coverts, and must frequently have rendered hunting an act of absolute necessity.—Strutt.