OTHELLO
—was the first name of that justly celebrated HORSE, so firmly fixed in the memory of every old SPORTSMAN of the present generation, by the more distinguished appellation of Black and all Black. He was bred by the late Lord Portmore; was got by Crab out of Miss Slamerkin, who was got by True Blue. He was foaled in 1745, and was esteemed the first racer of his time, producing afterwards, as a STALLION, some very famous runners.
OTTER
.—This is called an amphibious animal, living (to a certain degree and length of time) with as much seeming ease in the water, as he does upon land. It is, however, well ascertained, that he cannot exist long under the water, without occasionally reaching the surface for necessary respiration. The favourite and principal food of the otter is fish, of which he consumes, or rather destroys, a very considerable quantity in the neighbourhood of wherever he fixes his residence. This is formed under ground, in the bank of river or lake, and constructed with so much precaution, circumspection, and sagacity, that not without great difficulty can it be discovered. Although fish, in the genial months of summer, are known to be his pleasurable pursuit, and chief subsistence, yet, in the severe and frosty season, he is not without his alternatives, and will then condescend to make a repast upon some one or other of the smaller animals with which the fox indulges himself at all seasons of the year.
OTTER-HUNTING
,—a sport at present so little pursued, was formerly in constant practice, and is said to have been then in great estimation: it is, however, to be presumed, it was in less enlightened times, and long before the different chases of STAG, FOX, and HARE, held forth a speedy prospect of their present perfection. Hounds were then kept and trained for the purpose; and as some proof of the stupidity of the sport, or the somniferous dispositions of those who pursued (or enjoyed) it, an account of the CHASE, if worthy to be termed so, is here literally transcribed from Mr. Daniels' recent publication.
"The sportsmen went on each side the river, beating the banks and sedges with the dogs; if there was an otter in that quarter, his seal was soon traced upon the mud, as the water, wherever it would admit of it, was lowered as much as possible, to expose the hollow banks, reed-beds and stubs that might otherwise shelter him: each hunter had a spear to attack the otter when he vented, or came to the surface of the water to breathe. If an otter was not soon found by the river-side, it was imagined he was gone to couch more inland, and was sought for accordingly; (for sometimes they will feed a considerable distance from their place of rest, choosing rather to go up than down the stream.) If the hounds found an otter, the sportsman viewed his track in the mud, to find which way he had taken. The spears were used in aid of the dogs. When an otter is wounded, he makes directly to land, where he maintains an obstinate defence: he bites severely, and does not readily quit his hold: when he seizes the dogs in the water, he always dives with, and carries them far below the surface: an old one will never give up while he has life; and it is observable, that the male otter never makes any complaint when seized by the dogs, or transfixed with a spear; but the pregnant females emit a very shrill squeal." This sport, as it is called by those who profess themselves its admirers, is still continued in many remote, fenny, and watery districts; but in general is principally confined to those parts where, from local circumstances, the other more noble and exhilarating distinctions of the chase cannot be enjoyed.
OVER-DONE
.—A horse is said to be over-done, when both his FRAME and SPIRITS are so exhausted with fatigue and excessive labour, that he sinks down in his stall almost immediately after reaching the stable; where he extends himself at every extremity, giving evident proof of the struggles nature has to encounter, by the bodily disquietude under which he continues distressed for many hours, and sometimes DAYS, before he becomes perfectly recovered. When a horse is reduced to this state, by a too long continuance at slow or steady work, no doubt of recovery need be entertained with a few days nursing; but if it has been occasioned by a continued and persevering speed with hounds, and a long journey home, danger may be apprehended: instances are infinite, where internal inflammations have arisen, by which existence has soon been destroyed.