The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-14

Oppian, too, with much scientific accuracy,
ana with very hfe-llke descriptions has embe-
lished the science Of Hunting So has Meme
sian with most extraordinary grace and ra-
pidlty OF poetical detail.
Herodons gives us an account in his writings
OF singular but populous nation, who support
ed themselves altogether BY hunting Their
method as explained By Herodolus, was very
peculiar The hunters, when placed al their
stands, climbed into the trees, whilst their horses
being admirably trained 10 the purpose laid
down close TO the ground, that they might not
be seen!
We regret that the subject of Hunting was
not treated more minutely than il has been, by
Horace, who was certainly "up 10 every thing
II is very remarkable, indeed, that figure of
fun, like Horace, who was in reality regular
"out and outer"-an impersonation Of the fun
frolc-and Spirit Of The Times, N which he
llved-who has in his writings furnished such
conclusive evidence that he not only loved a
race, but could well describe one, should not
have "told his experience" of the pleasure and
excitement of day in the woods. Atall events,
do not remember any very particular article Of
his TO this effect
Now although we have shown, that frequent
mention is made by classical writers of the
chase, and Of dogs hunting by the scent, it must
be observed, that the ancients do not seem TO
have entertained any notion of hunting, as we
do with regular and well disciplined pack-at
all events we have not been able to find any de-
scrption of ancient hunting any trace of the
precise manner now practiced, either in Eng
land or America II may reasonably be con
Guided, then, that Castor and Pollux, and the
other worthless we mentioned at the beginning
of this article, knew nothing of the excitement
growing out Of the cry OF Hark g forward
Youks-stole-away n-fyng over hedge and
ditch, after most musical pack of hounds, and
on horses the most enduring TO follow the chase
the characteristics of hunting in England J
Much less do they seem TO have experienced the
peculiar exheratlon Of spirit arising in the bo-
som of the Carolina sportsman, in anticipation
of knocking over fine buck, when at his stand
he hears the voice OF an experienced driver, max
ing the welkin ring, with his warning cry Of
" Mind, NAUSEA mind mind !o-(the certain
accompany ments OF day in the woods al the
South NOR even the mad delight of riding al
full speed over bogs and brakes, thro entangled
| coverets, and thick woods, and under oyerhang-
ing branches of trees, running the risk Of hav-
ing their brains dashed out at every Jump; OF
being suspended by the hair like Absalom, from
the limb of great oak unless the rider is sc
fortunate as 10 wear wig 1t is something Of
| an Episode but we cannot avoid abiding &c
what may be termed, for the sake Of the pun
the barberous belief of modern times, that il
lost his life under the circumstances that he did
1t is said, thai old David, when he heard of the
untmcy fate of his beautiful son, was much
moved, and wept and said, "Oh my son, Absa
| lom, my son, my son Pit is now thought tina
his lamenlation would have been much more
natural and proper as caution to others if hi
had said,
" Absalom, Absalom, my son. my son,
| Hadst thou norm rig, thou neer hadst been un
| done !"
But whittier are we wandering
" Devious, intent
| On antique tales"
Let us bark back! BY an easy association
Of ideas, the last paragraph has reminded Us
how far we have rambled from the object we
| had in view, when we sat down to pen this ar
t'cle, which was simply TO record a few incidents
connected with very agreeable days hunt las
| Spring in st. Thomas Parish South Carolina
| We conceived, however, that by first showing
| that the chase was the principal source OF de
light IN the more vigorous ages, we should have ar
additional reason for the faith that is in us, and
be more strongly fortified in the opinion we ex
pressed when we set out, that Hunting is a no
| bic sport, and an entertaining and profitable re-
creation, and OF great antiquity
| On the 18th of April last | was invited by one
of my young friends, VIM. B**+l, Esq, of Lii
merck, (St. Johns, Berkeley the worthy sol
OF very worthy sire, blest by large estate
"Hsreditary wealth
Heaped cop Gus by his wise forefather's care.
TO accompany him on hunt, being promised a
good days sport, as the ground he proposed
hunting was known to abound in game
According 10 the good old custom OF Southern
hospitality, at the time he extended his invita-
ton to me- he had with him in the country q
large party Of young friends. We mustered
therefore, on this occasion, In great strength, as
to numbers in addition, too, to his own house
hold, kindred, and invited guests we were JON
ed by three "free gemmen OF color, "-inhabl
iants of those parts--to marshal us the way we
were TO go-real Leather stocking looking sort
of fellows-veterans OF the woods--as II they
had been all their lives in the Pine land, and
could not live out OF IT, Being themselves the
owners OF several good dogs, they brought their
hounds with them, which augmented our pack
10 twelve as >taunch couplets as ever opened in
a concert OF harmonious Joy"
1t was highly exciting spectacle to see the
"clans gathering" as It were. The morn was
beautiful and cheering. Winter was past and
gone. Mildly beamlng Spring, Natures young
Queen-Vlctora OF the World, held sovereign
sway DER all things round. The trees were
green with leaves-the pastures with fresh her
bage--the jocund birds caroled blthely in the
woods Each lille tbicket rich with the bios
SONS Of the yellow jessamlne, whilst here and
there the wild rose, the sweet honey suckle,
and the woodbine gently entwining, wreathed
the trunks aud branches of the statelier trees,
that flung ''their old fantastic forms on high y
The dogs even seemed TO feel the vlyilying in
huence of the season.
"Tbeil glossy skin, yellow pied, or blue
In lights or rhsd.s 10y natures pencil drawn
Reflect their various tlnts their and legs
Ipck here md hare niil f,rttla
Rivald the specked pard; their rush grown tails
Der their broad backs bend in ample arch"
Some of them, the older hounds, the more Sc
date of the pack Indifferent to the gambos Of
their more iroicsome companions, basked and
stretched awhile in the mild sunbeams-otheIs