proper so eagerly to pursue them, as if you made them rather a_
Business _than a_ Recreation; _for though in themselves they are
harmless, yet a continual or insatiate Prosecution of any Thing, not
only lessens the Pleasure, but may render it hurtful, if not to your
self, yet in giving Offence to others, who will be apt to reflect upon
such as seem to doat upon them, and wholly neglect their other Affairs._

_We find the Taste of Honey is delicious and desirable, yet Nature
over-burthened with too great a Quantity, Surfeits, and begets a
loathing of it. Wherefore to Conclude, I commend them as they are,_ viz.
_Suitable_ Recreations _for the_ Gentry _of_ England, _and others,
wherein to please and delight themselves. And so not doubting this_ Work
_will be accepted, as it was well meant to serve my_ Country-Men, _I
take leave to subscribe myself, Kind Reader_,

Your most humble
and obliging Servant,

_R. H._




OF HUNTING.


Hunting, being a Recreation that challenges the sublime Epithets of
Royal, Artificial, Manly, and Warlike, for its Stateliness, Cunning, and
Indurance, claims above all other Sports the Precedency; and therefore I
was induced to place it at the Head to usher in the rest.