KNEE of a HORSE
—is the centrical joint of the leg, where the fore-thigh is united to the shank-bone. Its formation is of such strength, that a LAMENESS, by twist, distortion, or any other injury, is hardly ever sustained in this part, but by the accident of falling; which frequently happens, and, if attended with a blemish, very much reduces the previous value of the horse. Prominencies in a pavement, or rolling stones upon a road, are sometimes the occasion of such misfortunes, even to those who are in general exceedingly sure-footed, and of the most valuable description. Custom has, however, introduced, of late years, such an unprecedented degree of precaution in an examination of the KNEES, that the slightest touch cannot be expected to pass unnoticed amidst so much scrutinizing inspection; and if once appearances are sufficient to justify a doubt, the object immediately sinks in estimation, however superior he may be in other respects and qualifications. This being so great a disadvantage when a horse is to be sold, it evidently points out the absolute necessity of a minute examination before he is bought, as a want of it may produce considerable loss, and serious reflection. Loss of hair upon the knees, when not too severely affected, may sometimes be restored by a daily application of very strong camphorated liniment.
L.
LAIR
—was a term formerly applied to the haunt of outlying deer, and implied the place near which they might probably be found. It is, however, but little known in that sense, and is now used to express the part of a forest, chase, heath, or common, where any particular horse, cow, or other cattle, is accustomed to frequent when turned out, which is then called their LAIR, and where (or in the neighbourhood of it) their owners are generally sure to find them.
LAMENESS in HORSES
—proceeds from a variety of causes, and requires much patient investigation to ascertain, to a certainty, the exact seat of injury; for want of which judicious precaution, mischief frequently follows. Horses are sometimes persecuted, blistered, and fired, for a LAMENESS in one part, which ultimately proves to be in another; and this alone sufficiently points out the absolute necessity of a deliberate discrimination. As lameness proceeds from different causes, so it is of different kinds, and requires various modes of treatment, equally opposite to each other. This cannot be more forcibly elucidated, than by adverting to the difference between a lameness originating in a relaxation of the SINEWS, and a ligamentary injury sustained by a sudden turn, twist, or distortion, of some particular JOINT. These require a very different mode of treatment; and yet it is too much, and too unthinkingly the custom, to treat every kind of lameness in the same way. From either a want of patience in the owner, or a want of prudence in the practitioner, the favourite operation of BLISTERING is thought applicable to every case without exception; and being often resorted to before the inflammation of the part has sufficiently subsided, occasions a permanent enlargement, with a thickening of the integument, and consequent stiffness, rendering the remedy equally injurious with the original defect.
In all lamenesses occasioned by a relaxation of the TENDONS, blistering, and even firing, are admitted to have a forcible effect, provided they are brought into use at a PROPER time; but not before the inflammation (which is generally attendant upon such case) has previously subdued. In all ligamentary injuries, BLISTERING is seldom, if ever, known to be productive of permanent advantage; and is, perhaps, upon most occasions, so immediately adopted, because a single application is of so much less personal trouble, than a daily persevering hour bestowed in hot FOMENTATIONS, and stimulative EMBROCATIONS. Upon the subject of lameness in general, it is necessary to remark, that injuries sustained in the tendons (commonly called the back sinews) are more frequently relieved, and a lasting cure obtained, than in a lameness of the joints; where, after patient and persevering medical applications, and a corresponding portion of REST, a renewal of work has almost immediately produced a relapse.
LAMPAS
,—called also LAMPERS, and LAMPARDS, is a spongey elastic enlargement of the roof of a young horse's mouth, just behind the nippers of his upper jaw, which frequently acquires such a luxuriance in growth, as to be equal with, or to exceed, the surface of the teeth, and is supposed to occasion pain to such horses in the mastication of their corn. Different opinions have been entertained, and are still supported, upon this subject; some considering it only a temporary operation of NATURE during the formation of the TEETH, which would contract, and disappear, upon their attaining their full and proper growth; whilst others, less comprehensive in their conceptions, less scientific in their reasoning, and more hasty in their decisions, maintain the necessity of radical extermination, and that too by a process no less severe than the red-hot iron, or burning cautery. The most critical examination of the case (whenever it occurs) does not seem to justify the necessity for, or the cruelty of, such operation: various are the means which may be brought into use for the most perfect completion of the purpose, without resorting to such as bear the traits of former barbarity, when the times were less enlightened, and the system of FARRIERY less improved.
Admitting the part to have acquired its prominence, or preternatural distension, (a mere elastic, spongey puffiness,) by a slight inflammation originally, and a proportional propulsion of blood to the finer vessels surrounding that particular spot, it follows, of course, that extracting from those vessels the contents with which they are overloaded, and compulsively distended, will lay the foundation of contraction, which, followed by proper constringents, will constitute a perfect obliteration, to the PRUDENT and HUMANE exclusion of a practice not more replete with cruelty during the operation, than with danger in its consequence. Whenever the LAMPAS are found so protuberant, as to justify an opinion, or produce a proof, that they occasion pain in mastication, it is then time enough, to pass the point or edge of a sharp penknife, or lancet, transversely, and longitudinally, over the puffy and prominent part, so as to let it BLEED in that state for a few minutes; then let it be washed with a solution of ALUM in water, and no farther inconvenience need be feared from a molehill, which the illiterate have long since magnified to a MOUNTAIN, without the least rational plea for its foundation.
LASSITUDE
,—horses are frequently subject to, which does not amount to palpable pain, or evident indisposition. If a horse, who is usually in high spirits in the stable, as well as out, becomes depressed, dull, heavy, inattentive, and indifferent to food, it may be presumed something is going on in the system not directly consonant to the indications of health. In such cases, the necessary examination should be made without delay, and proper modes of counteraction adopted, to prevent the severity and danger of disease, which sometimes advances with great rapidity, to such a state as would never have happened, if proper attention had been paid to the cause of LASSITUDE upon its earliest appearance.
LAW-SUITS
,—in respect to horses, are become so common, from the frequent deceptions in BUYING and SELLING, (as well without others as with DEALERS,) that not a term passes without various litigations of this description. When the expence and anxiety attendant upon both PLAINTIFF and DEFENDANT, during the time a suit is pending; the uncertainty of its termination, which ultimately depends so much upon the effect of chance in EVIDENCE; the misrepresentation, or misconstruction, of FACTS, are all taken into consideration, it is much to be regretted, that such circumstances cannot be brought to a more friendly and less expensive conclusion. As, however, such propensity to mutual accommodation is not likely to abound amidst the complicated tempers, caprices, and versatilities, of society at large; it becomes the more necessary to avoid, as much as possible, whatever may be eventually productive of so unpleasant and unprofitable an embarkation; particularly when it is constantly seen in COURTS of LAW, to what a wonderful degree of villainy human depravity is extended, for the completion of points in which the parties are individually or collaterally interested; and perhaps in no causes whatever, so much as in those where the soundness or unsoundness of a horse is concerned.
Those who have had occasion most to frequent the Courts, best know (in fact, there are cases on record to justify and corroborate the assertion) that suits have occurred, where six witnesses swore "they saw the horse almost daily for some weeks previous to his death, and that he had the GREASE so bad he died with it;" when, to the astonishment of a crouded court, (before Mr. Justice Buller, who tried the cause,) the DEFENDANT produced an equal number of witnesses who swore, "they likewise saw the horse almost daily to the last hour of his life, and that he never had the least mark, trait, or sign of grease about him;" to corroborate which, a HUNTSMAN (making the seventh witness on that side) was produced, who swore "he stripped the horse for his hounds, and he had no mark of grease about him." The Judge remarked, "that the mass of perjury was absolutely beyond human conception on one side or the other; and so far exceeded the power of his discrimination, that he submitted it entirely to the province of the Jury," who immediately returned a verdict for the defendant.
It is much to be lamented, that every horse cause brought before a Court favours more or less of this complexion; in a perfect knowledge of which, the parties concerned strengthen their interest, and select their necessary evidence, with as much pains and eagerness as votes are solicited at an election: and it is not at all uncommon to have a body of evidence produced to SWEAR a horse "dead lame" on one side, and a much greater number to prove him PERFECTLY SOUND on the other. In such a glorious uncertainty of the LAW, what reflecting man can indulge a sufficient hope of success, to encounter a load of mental disquietude during the process, with the additional expence of thrice the VALUE of the object in dispute?
LEAD
.—The EXTRACT of LEAD is a preparation passing almost universally under the denomination of Goulard's Extract, whose properties are acknowledged of great medical utility, and in many cases amount to a specific. See Goulard, where the effects of this article are more particularly explained.
LEAPING
—is a leading perfection in a horse that very much enhances his value as a HUNTER; without which qualification, he is held in no great estimation when shewn in the field. Leaping, in its general signification, extends to the two kinds called flying and standing; a horse perfect in each, with equal temper, and a fair portion of SPEED, is then called a complete or made HUNTER; and if he has a corresponding uniformity of figure, and excellence of action, both his reputation and worth become increased in proportion. There are very few horses of speed and spirit, but what become good FLYING LEAPERS by short practice in the field with hounds, which, indeed, is the only proper place to teach them; but it is not so with STANDING LEAPS which should be taught coolly and calmly at the leaping-bar, with great serenity of temper, patience, and perseverance, by which alone any horse can attain perfection.
LEASH
,—the sporting term in use to imply the number THREE, as exceeding ONE, and not reaching TWO brace; for instance, a brace of hares, a leash of pheasants, and two brace of partridges. A brace of pointers, a leash of greyhounds, and two brace of spaniels. Custom, however, in this, as in most other things, admits of deviation and exception; in proof of which we say, a brace of spaniels, a couple and a half of hounds, and two brace of pointers. A brace of snipes, a couple and a half of woodcocks, and two couple of rabbits. It is therefore confident, and sportsman-like, to say, a LEASH of birds, (partridges,) a leash of pheasants, a leash of hares, or any other article where TWO are termed a BRACE; but improper to call three a LEASH, where two of the kind are called a COUPLE.
LEGS
.—The legs of a horse are, in their length, shape, and construction, so material to graceful and expeditious action, that they become, at the time of purchase, objects of minute inspection: if observed too long, in proportion to the DEPTH of the CHEST, and the LENGTH of the CARCASE, they may be considered a tolerable criterion of constitutional weakness, as few of this description are found equal to a constant repetition of even moderate work. Too straight in the lower part of the leg, with the hoof overhung by the fetlock, is an indication of stiffness and constraint in action; as, on the contrary, those who are exceeding long in the lower joints, and whose pasterns extend the hoof considerably before the leg, with a palpable bend or flexibility in walking, and the heel nearly down to the ground, are mostly horses of speed, (so far as their strength will permit;) but they are in general weak in those parts, and there is always a well-founded fear of their breaking down. The legs and feet are constantly liable to injuries, accidents, and defects, as CRACKS, SPLENTS, THRUSHES, &c. all which are explained under their different heads.
LEGS SWELLED
—originate in various causes; but from none so much as a sizey, viscid state of the BLOOD, a laxity of the SOLIDS, a shameful neglect of stable discipline, or a great deal of work at one time, and no regular exercise at another. That swelled legs arise from different causes, is sufficiently demonstrated by the opposite state of their external appearance in the examination of different subjects; where the legs of one shall be found distended to the utmost possible extent of the skin, with a degree of tenseness from the knee or hock downwards, not submitting to pressure, and without the least cutaneous pliability whatever. These are the kind of swelled legs occasioned by stagnant fluids, originating in the sizey and viscid state of the blood. When they are equally distended, but pliable in the skin, yielding to pressure, and resuming their previous extension, it may be justly concluded, they proceed from a laxity of the solids, and a want of regular exercise without, and manual labour (leg rubbing) within. Proceeding from which ever cause, they are productive of temporary anxiety; and the cause should be removed without delay. Bleeding, with evacuants, and a course of alteratives, will expeditiously eradicate the former; cordial invigorants, malt mashes, moderate exercise out, and regular bodily friction and leg-rubbing within, will soon obliterate the latter.
LESSONS
,—in the language of the MANEGE, are what is received by man, and given to the horse, according to the purposes for which they are designed, or the particular duties they are destined to discharge. Diverted of the practice of the schools, there are lessons which every man has it in his power to inculcate, and which never should be relaxed from, till the horse has attained a degree of perfection in those points, which render him a pattern of obedience, and consequent object of attraction to others, and a valuable acquisition to the owner. The first and principal is, never to let him move a single step forward, till his rider is firmly fixed upon his back, or his driver seated in his carriage; the same rule of standing perfectly still, being as invariably persevered in at the time of dismounting or alighting; by which some degree of safety will be insured; and it will soon become as habitual to the horse, as to those who RIDE or DRIVE him. He should always be accustomed to his own side of the road upon every emergency, which every horse soon knows from habit, and will not, but with reluctance, or upon compulsion, take the wrong, whatever may be the occasion; to a want of which very prudent, and very necessary precaution, may be attributed a majority of the accidents which so frequently happen in and round the Metropolis.
LEVERET
—is the term for a young HARE during her first year, or till FULL GROWN.
LETHARGY
.—The lethargy, or SLEEPING EVIL, as it is called by the lower class of rustics and farriers, is a drowsy kind of stupefaction, to which DRAFT HORSES are more particularly subject than any other; with whom it is considered a kind of prelude to the STAGGERS, which in general soon follow, if the cause is not speedily removed. A horse upon being attacked, closes his eyes, drops his head into the manger, suddenly recovers himself, and as gradually drops again; opens his eyes, as if surprized, picks a little hay, or corn, relapses with it in his mouth; and this is, perhaps, alternately repeated, till fixing his head in one corner of the stall, he seems to be deprived of both ACTION and ANIMATION, standing in a state of perfect insensibility. This prognostication (for in its first stage it can hardly be called a disease) denotes a struggle, in which the whole SYSTEM is affected; but where the struggle is dependent entirely upon the state of the circulation, which is become (from some remote cause) partially defective, and stands in need of such STIMULATIVE assistance, as may prove the means of constituting immediate REVULSION. Instantaneous BLEEDING, followed by much friction upon the body, as well as upon the extremities; warm glysters of gruel, in which a couple of sliced onions have been boiled; and to which a handful of common salt, and a gill of linseed oil, may be added; should be given and repeated in three or four hours. The pectoral cordial balls, impregnated with a drachm of myrrh, assafœtida, and ammoniacum, might be administered with advantage; all which not completing a cure within two or three days, BLISTERING largely behind the ears should not be neglected.
LIGHT in HAND
.—A horse is said to be light in hand, who, bearing properly upon his haunches, (or hind-quarters,) requires little or no assistance from the BIT. Horses of this description are generally well formed in their fore-quarters, with a curved crest, carrying their heads well up, with long necks, high withers, and a commanding forehand. Those with short necks, thick shoulders, dull spirit, slow action, and the withers lower before than the spinal (or rump) bone behind, are always of a contrary description; they bore along, invariably bearing upon the bit, and from that circumstance are said to be heavy in hand.
LIGHT CARCASED
—is a term applied to horses, the shape of whose bodies bear no ill affinity to the form of a GREYHOUND. The carcases of such are flat at the sides, narrow in the chest, and gradually contract in circumference from the GIRTH to the FLANK; where, after a little hard work, they appear so tucked up, it would seem to a stranger that they were emaciated for want of food. Horses of this description possess, in general, a SPIRIT so much beyond their STRENGTH, that, although they never will relinquish their pace, or seem even to tire, till nature is quite exhausted, they debilitate themselves so much by impetuosity, and unnecessary exertion, that, after a single day's hard work upon the road, or a severe chase in the field, they are not fit to be brought into use for a week after. They are always bad feeders; and it is an old maxim with the SPORTING WORLD, "that those who won't eat can't work;" and this remark is literally just; they certainly cannot for any length of time together. Light carcased horses are mostly hot and fiery in their tempers, excellent goers, but troublesome in company; invariably eager to be first; and will sink under persevering speed and fatigue, rather than be exceeded in action and emulation. They are by no means desirable purchases, but to those whose journies are short, and work easy; to such their defects may not be considered of material consequence.
LINSEED
—is a well-known article, and of so much general utility, that the house of a SPORTSMAN (in the country) should never be without it: its properties, either in its state as SEED, or sold in the shops as powdered, become equally applicable to the stable wants of the winter season. A DECOCTION of the seeds, one handful boiled for a quarter of an hour in two quarts of water, and strained, is the best mucilaginous wash for sore or cracked heels during frost or snow that can be brought into use; as well as an excellent article (in such weather) to prevent their appearance. In FEVERS, or an inflammation of the lungs, an INFUSION of the seed made with boiling water (standing covered for an hour) and then strained, being afterwards incorporated with a moderate quantity of honey, will be found useful in allaying the severity of disease.
Poultices made of linseed powder and milk, with the addition of a small quantity of olive oil, is the leading step to a cure of CRACKED HEELS of the worst description: they are also, from their EMOLLIENT property, the best possible external application to legs affected with GREASE, either in an early or more advanced stage; in which disorder it is too much the custom to rely implicitly upon the medicinal power and effect of internals, without considering that, by striking industriously at the very root of disease, it might often be completely cured in half the time by the assisting effects of both.
LIOUORICE ROOT
.—This is an article so much in use with HORSES, (in a pulverized state,) that it is absolutely necessary it should undergo some degree of elucidation; to prevent, if possible, a part of the medical deception, and adulteration, which so universally prevails. Liquorice root is plentifully produced in most countries of Europe, and is in all held in the same degree of estimation for its utility. What is grown in England is preferable to what is brought from abroad; the latter being generally mouldy, and in a perishing state, which it will always soon become, if not kept in a dry place, or buried in sand. It is remarkable for its peculiar property of allaying thirst, particularly as it is the almost only sweet known so to do: it is in constant use as an article of much medicinal efficacy with the human species, both as a most excellent PECTORAL and DETERGENT, as well as to soften acrimonious humors, reduce glandular irritability in colds, and promote expectoration.
The article called Spanish liquorice is an extract prepared from the root in Spain, and other countries, where it is cultivated in large quantities; but it is rarely to be met with in the shops in a state of purity and perfection; those who are the makers being either very slovenly in the preparation, or interested in the event, constantly mixing it with sand, (or other impurities,) to enlarge the weight, and increase the profit; under which disadvantages it is universally known as, and experimentally proved to be, a pectoral balsamic of general utility. In respect to what is dispensed at the shops, under the name of LIQUORICE POWDER, it is only necessary to observe, that it may be purchased at any for little more than half what the real dried root can be bought and powdered for by the first wholesale houses in the Metropolis. The deception is clear, and self-evident; as it is an article of great consumption, so it becomes the more properly appropriate to the pecuniary purpose of adulteration: those who best know the advantage arising from such practice, best can tell, that two pound weight of GENUINE LIQUORICE ROOT, ground in the drug mill, and there incorporated with the customary proportions of bean meal and wheat flour, will make fourteen pounds of most excellent liquorice powder for retail; and is the very article with which the public are supplied as a substitute for a medicine of so much efficacy, that it is to be regretted it should so easily become a matter of such general prostitution. See Adulteration.
LIVER of ANTIMONY
—is a medicine possessing a very powerful and active property; and would not have been introduced in this place, but with a view to prevent some of the MISCHIEFS which would probably happen, from too free a use of so dangerous an article, when in the unrestrained hands of the illiterate, the injudicious, the unthinking, or the inexperienced. It will create some surprise with the considerate, that this preparation, (known also by the name of CROCUS METALLORUM,) from two to six grains of which will operate as a violent emetic with an adult of the human species, should be given in doses of half an ounce each by common farriers to a horse, and that probably three or four times in twenty-four hours; under an impression, that it would, and does operate only by perspiration, or as an alterative; beyond which, probably, their ideas or intentions may not extend. When it is taken into consideration, that the horse does not possess the power of regurgitating by vomit, it then becomes a matter of due deliberation, how far it may be consistent and proper, to permit valuable horses to be drenched with medicines of this description in such immoderate quantities; a very few grains of which will excite such violent operations with one of the human species. Those who administer it as an ALTERATIVE, will, perhaps, prudently conceive, two drachms a day, in doses of a drachm each, full as much as ought to be ventured upon, incorporated with such other articles as the urgency of the case may seem to require.
LIVER
.—The liver in a horse is liable to disease, as obstructions by tubercles, indurated tumefactions, and schirrosity; either of which may be produced by various means, and treated as Jaundice, which SEE.
LOCKS
—are elastic leather pipes, or circular pads, stuffed with does' hair, about the size of a second finger in circumference, and made to buckle just above the fetlock of either leg, as a preventive to cutting with the other. There are others of a different form, made flat, having a padded oval in the center, which are called cutting-boots: the former, however, have the preference, as they occasion less stricture upon the tendons.
LOINS
—are the part of a horse at the extremity of the back immediately preceding the rump and hip bones, situate above the flanks. Beneath the loins internally are seated the KIDNIES, which, as well as the loins, are very susceptible of injury, by carrying improper weights, drawing too heavy loads, particularly up hills, or in short turns; to prevent all which should be humanely attended to. Injuries of this kind, when unfortunately sustained, are very easily ascertained by a little serious attention. The subject will sink and contract himself, if pressed forcibly upon the part with the hand; he will also move in his stall with a kind of curved motion, groaning probably if compelled to move suddenly; likewise in laying down, or in attempting to stale, which he frequently does, but mostly in small quantities. Exclusive of whatever medical means may be adopted, BLEEDING, gum Arabic dissolved in gruel, as common drink, and mucilage of linseed, to sheath the acrimony of the juices in an inflammation of the kidnies, or surrounding parts, will be found admirable collaterals. See Kidnies.
LOOSE-JOINTED
. A horse is said to be LOOSE-JOINTED, when his PASTERNS are so long as to let his HOOF come considerably from under the perpendicular position of the FORE LEG, so that the heel is exceedingly flat, and the hinder part of the FETLOCK joint, by a kind of elastic bend or drop, seems nearly to touch the ground. Horses of the blood kind have frequently this failure in their formation, and is the principal reason why so many of them are seen in common hands of little or no value, as properly appropriate to no particular purpose, or of the least general utility: most of this description have the first defect accompanied by a second, which is a long back, and consequent weakness of the loins; these, in the aggregate, constitute a complete loose-jointed horse; the purchase or possession of which will reflect no predominant RAYS of JUDGMENT upon the owner.
LOOSENESS
—is a laxity of habit, or debility of the intestines, which is constitutional with some horses; but in others is the effect of temporary disease; produced, probably, by an effervescent putrefaction of the excrements too long locked up in the intestinal canal, and at length suddenly and forcibly expelled by an effort of Nature, to relieve herself from the offending cause. This latter is the kind of looseness not to be immediately checked, or restrained, by the aid of aromatic restringents; but rather to be assisted, and promoted, by a free use of warm mashes, and gruel, till the disorder has run itself off, and effected its own cure. Some horses are habitually irritable, and begin to dung loose upon the most trifling occasions: young horses sometimes do so from a stranger's approaching them suddenly after coming from a DEALER'S stable; this must arise from the memory of the whip: others from being put into expeditious action upon the road too soon after their water in a morning. Horses fond of HOUNDS, and eager in the chase, will frequently begin to purge at the place of meeting, and continue so to do half a dozen times within an hour, when the superflux being thrown off, the excrements again become firm, and are evacuated with their usual solidity during the whole of the day. A warm cordial ball before the water, for two or three mornings in succession, is generally all that is necessary to be done upon such occasions.
LUNGS
.—The lungs of a horse are two elastic lobes, consisting of air vessels, blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves, and cellular membranes, possessing conjunctively the properties of contraction and expansion; nearly filling three parts of what is termed the CHEST, and may, without much deviation from the line of professional consistency, be pronounced the very mainspring of existence. It is the good or bad state of the LUNGS upon which the duration of life becomes in a proportional degree dependent; and by the perfect ease of inspiration, and respiration, health, and bodily strength, may in general be ascertained. The lungs are subject to inflammation, obstructions, tubercles, ulceration, and consumption; the cause of one and all originating in COLDS and COUGHS, produced by a sudden collapsion of the pores; when the perspirative matter being repelled, and thrown upon the circulation, the blood becomes sizey, viscid, and diseased; assuming some leading feature of the ills described, which, suffered to continue long without the proper means of counteraction, frequently attain a height too great for the power of medicine to subdue.
LURCHER
.—The dog so called is rough and wirey haired, with ears erect, but dropping a little at the points: they are above the middle size, of a yellowish or sandy red color; and of great speed, courage, and fidelity. They were originally produced from a cross between the SHEPHERD'S DOG and the GREYHOUND, which, from breeding in and in with the latter, has so refined upon the original cross, that very little of the shepherd's dog is retained in its stock, its docility and fidelity excepted. Thus bred, they are neither more or less than bastard greyhounds, retaining most of their perfections, but without their beauty. They are the favorite dogs of inferior or small FARMERS, as they act in the nominal capacity of a SHEEP DOG; but can occasionally trip up the heels of a LEVERET three parts grown. They are also the constant companions of the most professed and notorious POACHERS, being so admirably adapted to the universality of the service required: they equal, if not exceed, any other kind of dog in sagacity; and are easily taught any thing it is possible for an animal of this description to acquire by instruction. Some of them are very little inferior in speed to well-bred greyhounds: HARES they frequently run up to; RABBITS they kill to a certainty, if they are any distance from home: if near a WARREN, the dog invariably runs for the burrow, by doing which, he seldom fails in his attempt to secure his aim. His qualifications go still farther; in nocturnal excursions he becomes a PROFICIENT, and will easily pull down a FALLOW DEER, so soon as the signal is given for pursuit; which done, he will explore his way to his master, and conduct him to the GAME, wherever he may have left it. In poaching, they are individually instrumental to the destruction of hares; for when the wires are fixed at the meuses, and the nets at the gates, they are dispatched, by a single word of command, to scour the FIELD, PADDOCK, or PLANTATION; which, by their running mute, is effected so silently, that a harvest is obtained (according to the stock of the country) with very little fear of detection.
LURCHER
,—the name of a horse of some recent celebrity; he was the property of Mr. Rider; was got by Dungannon, dam by Vertumnus. In 1792, when three years old, he won a 50l. plate at Ascot Heath, beating seven others. At Stockbridge, a subscription of 20 guineas each, (ten subscribers,) beating Hamlet, St. George, and two others. At Winchester, a sweepstakes of 20 guineas each, eleven subscribers; and at Lewes, a sweepstakes of 10 guineas each, ten subscribers. He was then purchased by Mr. Wilson, in whose possession, 1793, when four years old, he won at Newmarket a sweepstakes of 500 guineas each from the Ditch in, beating Kitt Carr and Ormond. On the Saturday in the same week, he won a sweepstakes of 200 guineas each, half forfeit; beating Lord Clermont's Pipator. Lord Foley's Vermin paid. Second Spring Meeting, he beat Lord Clermont's Speculator, a match across the Flat, 200 guineas each. In 1794, at the Craven Meeting, Newmarket, he won the first class of the Oatlands Stakes, of 50 guineas each, (twenty-one subscribers,) half forfeit, beating thirteen others, with the odds of nine to one against him at starting. For the Main of the Oatlands, First Spring Meeting, he beat Lord Grosvenor's Druid, 200 guineas each, Ditch-in. Second Spring Meeting, he received 150 guineas forfeit from the Duke of Bedford's Teucer; after which he appeared no more upon the turf.
M.
MADNESS
.—This dreadful CANINE malady, with its consequences, when communicated to the human frame, will be found enlarged upon under the head Dog in the first Volume.
MAIN
.—The main is a principal term used in the fashionable and destructive nocturnal game of HAZARD, at which so many immense fortunes have been squandered away, and so very few realized. The person who is the holder of the BOX containing a PAIR of DICE, being set by an individual, or any part of the company, what money he, or they, may propose, and the money staked, (or, as it is technically called, covered,) he, the Caster, (that is, the holder of the box,) shaking the dice, throws them out upon the table: if the surface of both display a number above four, and not over nine, that number is then publicly announced "the MAIN" by the Groom Porter, (who is the officiating attendant upon the company and the game;) but the Caster throwing under four, or over nine, at the first throw, it is then called aloud, "No main;" and the Caster repeats his throw till a number appears between four and ten, whenever which happens, (as for instance, eight,) the Groom Porter instantly vociferates, "Eight is the main, eight;" and it is called the MAIN, because it is the main for the company against the next throw of the Caster, which is called the CHANCE; as being his own against the main previously thrown, and by both which the Caster and the Setters must abide, when main and chance are thrown; though either party may draw their money, upon not approving or fancying the main, provided they declare it before the chance is thrown. The Caster throwing eight or twelve, the very next throw to the main of eight, is said to "nick it," and wins the money. If he throws SEVEN for a MAIN, and immediately follows it with another seven, or an eleven, he nicks again, and wins likewise. Six and twelve are a nick to six; five and nine nick themselves, and win when they follow in succession, as described of eight. If, after throwing the main, the Caster at the next throw produces under four, they are called CRABS; he then loses, and his box-hand is said to be out, and he passes it to his next neighbour; when bets are made round the table according to fancy; some that the "Caster throws in;" others, that "he throws out;" exclusive of the constantly standing business, of SETTING the Caster what money he requires before he throws a main; when which, and the chance, are both thrown, and declared by the Porter, the odds are laid and taken in every part of the room, as opinion may prompt, or judgment dictate. These odds are regulated upon a scale of equity, from which there can be no departure; it being an invariable principle of the game, that any person laying an unfair bet, or deviating from the fixed odds, can never win. Every minute particular of the game cannot be reduced to paper here, or indeed perfectly understood from theory; but a farther elucidation will be found under its proper head, Hazard.
MAIN of COCKS
.—When two parties, whether individuals, or an aggregate composed of gentlemen in one county, agreeing to fight a COCK-MATCH with an individual, or the gentlemen of another, the MATCH invariably consists of an odd number of BATTLES; as twenty-one, thirty-one, or forty-one; which match once made, and the cocks weighed, is then called a MAIN of COCKS: when fought, and finished, the winner of the ODD battle (or more a-head) is the winner of the main. Whenever a MATCH is made between parties of respectability and honour, the following agreement is drawn up, and reciprocally entered into.
ARTICLES for a COCK-MATCH.
Articles of agreement made the 1st of May, 1803, between A. B. of —— in the county of —— on one part, and C. D. of —— in the county of —— on the other. First, the said parties mutually agree, that each shall produce, shew and weigh, at the Cockpit Royal, in Saint James's Park, on the 1st day of June next, beginning at the hour of six in the morning, FORTY-ONE COCKS; none to weigh less than three pounds six, nor more than four pounds eight ounces; and as many of each parties cocks as come within two ounces of the other parties cocks hereby stand engaged to fight for TEN GUINEAS a battle; that is, five guineas each cock; in as equal divisions as the battles can be divided into (as pits or day's play) at the Cockpit Royal aforesaid; and that the parties cocks who win the greatest number of main battles out of the number aforesaid, shall be entitled to the sum of ONE HUNDRED GUINEAS odd battle money. And it is farther agreed, that the sum is to be made STAKES into the hands of E. F. Esq. in EQUAL shares between the parties aforesaid, before the first pair of cocks are brought to PIT. And the said parties further agree to produce, shew, and weigh, on the said day of weighing, FIFTEEN COCKS for bye battles, subject to the same weight as the main cocks before mentioned, and those to be added to the number of main cocks unmatched; and as many of them as come within one ounce of each other, shall fight for TWO GUINEAS a battle, (that is, one guinea each cock,) to be as equally divided as can be, and added to each pit or day's play with the main of cocks: and it is also agreed, that the balance of the battle money shall be paid at the end of each pit or day's play; and to fight in fair reputed SILVER SPURS, and with fair hackles; and to be subject to all the usual rules of COCK-FIGHTING, as is practised in London and at Newmarket; and the profit of the Pit, or day's play, to be equally divided between the said parties, after all charges are paid and satisfied that usually arise thereupon. As witness our hands, this first day of May, 1803.