The Book Of Archery

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840 edition. Excerpt: ...part of the haunch is not mortal; but on the inner part of the same, just the reverse. Lastly, an arrow passing directly through the throat, severs the windpipe, and causes instant death. A DEVICE HOW TO HUNT IN WOODS AT STAND, WlTHOUT A PACK OF DOGS, AND THE MANNER Of IT. When the archers have taken their stand, as before indicated, the chief forester should station those who are to drive the deer right across the thicket, at a stone's throw from each other; then should they gradually walk towards the archers, whistling and shouting as they proceed, to alarm the herd. And when a deer is struck, he who is inclined to the love of archery should have with him one good dog trained to hunt upon the blood. And farther, I will describe other things peculiar to this mystery. First, then, the bow with which an archer shoots at stand, should be more elastic and easier to draw, than that used by him who shoots at view, or when a beast is in chase, for three reasons: because he who shoots with too strong a bow, will be compelled to incline his body forwards from the tree, and thus expose himself to the view of the approaching game; because he cannot hold the arrow when drawn up to the head, for any length of time; because his bow hand will be unsteady, and his loose uncertain and irregular. These are the reasons why every archer who shoots at stand, should be master of his bow. There are yet other requisites for a chief of the game; viz.: --a file wherewith to make his arrow heads sharp and pointed, some spare strings carried in his pouch, and a coat of green; or, in summer and autumn, of russet colour, resembling that of the woods. Then King Modus's scholars demand what the second chapter of archery shall contain. And Modus answers, that the second..

Excerpt from The Book of Archery: Being the Complete History and Practice of the Art, Ancient and Modern Reader; the wisdom of our ancestors has said, - "Speak well of archers, for your father shot in a bow," - a time-honoured proverb, originating in that martial age, when her sons deemed "England not worth a fling, But for the crooked yew and grey goose wing." Yet is there a hold upon your sympathies far more powerful than a thousand wise saws or modern instances, such as these; - I mean the strong propensity of youth and age for recreations which unbend the mental faculties, while the body enjoys the exhilarating influence of sun and summer breeze, which tempt us to climb the upland lawn, plunge into the deep rocky glyn, wander over fern-clad heaths, and wend our way through the shadowy, pathless woods. These advantages are the archer's; his are the glories of sea, earth, and sky, with all the pleasures of the young and opening year; for his pastime belongs to that fair season only, when, as the old forest glee has it, - "Summer is coming in, Merry sing cuckoo! Groweth seed, And bloweth mead, And springeth the wood anew; Ewe bleateth after lamb. Loweth after calf, cow; Bullock starteth, Buck verteth, Merry sing cuckoo; Well sing'st thou cuckoo, Nor cease to sing now." About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from The Book of Archery: Being the Complete History and Practice of the Art, Ancient and Modern Reader; the wisdom of our ancestors has said, - "Speak well of archers, for your father shot in a bow," - a time-honoured proverb