—was a name given to three famous running horses in succession; the first got by Childers, the second by Squirrel, and the third by Eclipse.
FIRING
—is an operation performed upon different parts of A HORSE for the promotion of any particular purpose, (according to the degree of injury sustained,) and in the following way. The horse being safely secured by twitches and cords, according to the methods in general use, the OPERATOR having his irons in the fire properly heated, and his attendant ready to supply him with another, as often as the fire of the previous iron is exhausted, he proceeds with the edge of the red-hot iron to make longitudinal and transverse strokes in succession, over the whole part where injury has been sustained, and to such extent as circumstances may have rendered necessary; the depth and magnitude of the operation depending upon the severity of the injury, and the length of time since it was sustained. Firing is frequently adopted in strains of the back sinews, where the subject is said to have broken down; likewise for BONE and BLOOD SPAVINS, CURBS, SPLENTS, and partially to prevent a renewal or repetition of SAND-CRACKS, as well as for RINGBONES, and LAMENESS in the round-bone; in the two last, however, it has hardly ever been known of the least utility.
FIRING-IRON
,—the instrument with which the OPERATION of FIRING is performed. It is a piece of iron about fifteen inches long, with a stem terminating in a wooden handle at one end, having a blade of three inches long, and two wide, at the other. This blade is forged flat, and is at the back half an inch in thickness, becoming gradually thinner towards the edge, which is not more than one third what it is at the back. They are formed of different dimensions for different occasions, and three or four are kept in the fire, and used to expedite the operation, where it is carefully and expertly performed.
FISH
.—Reasons are adduced under the head "Angling," why it has been thought unnecessary to enter upon so copious a subject in a work of this kind; but as FISH, FISH PONDS, and FISHERIES, have been found repeatedly worthy the attention of the legislature, for the preservation of PROPERTY and PERSONAL RIGHTS, a concise abstract of the LAWS, as they now stand, respecting those rights, will constitute the whole that can be required, or thought necessary, upon this subject.
By the 5th Eliz. c. xxi. s. 2, it is provided, That if any person shall unlawfully BREAK or DESTROY any head or dam of a FISH POND, or shall wrongfully fish therein, with intent to take or kill fish, he shall, on conviction at the ASSIZES or sessions, at the suit of the King, or the party injured, be imprisoned three months, and pay treble damages; and after the expiration of the said three months, shall find sureties for good behaviour for SEVEN YEARS to come.
By 31st Henry Eighth, c. ii. s. 2, If any evil-disposed persons shall fish in the day-time, from six in the morning till six in the evening, in any PONDS, STEWS, or MOATS, with nets, hooks, or bait, against the will of the owners, they shall, on conviction thereof, at the suit of the King, or the party aggrieved, suffer imprisonment for the space of three months, and find security for their good behaviour.
By 22d and 23d Charles Second, c. xxv. s. 7, it is enacted, That if any person shall, at any time, use any casting-net, drag-net, shove-net, or other net whatever; or any angle, hair, noose, troll, or spear; or shall lay any wears, pots, nets, fish-hooks, or other engines; or shall take any fish by any means whatsoever, in any RIVER, STEW, MOAT, POND, or other water, or shall be aiding thereunto, without the consent of the OWNER of the WATER, and be convicted thereof before a JUSTICE, by confession, or the OATH of one witness, within one month after the offence committed, such offender shall give to the party injured such satisfaction as the JUSTICE shall appoint, not exceeding treble damages; and shall, over and above, pay down presently unto the OVERSEERS of the POOR, such sum, not exceeding 10s. as the JUSTICE shall think fit: and in default of payment, the said penalties to be LEVIED by DISTRESS; and for want thereof, the offender to be committed to the house of correction, for a term not exceeding one month, unless the party offending enter into bond, with surety, to the party injured, in a sum not exceeding 10l. never to offend in like manner.