Marrin's Bookshop

Synopsis

Being an elucidation of the science and practice of the field, the turf, and the sod; or, in other words, the scientific operations of the chase, the course, and the stream; and also of all those diversions and amusements which have uniformly marked the character of the inhabitants of these islands; and which are so ardently cherished, and so extensively pursued, by the present generation, comprehending the natural history of all those animals which constitute the objects of pursuit, accompanied with illustrative anecdotes.

Item Description

4to. 5.75 x 8.75 inches. [ii] + v + [ii] +vi + 940 pp. Majority of text in double columns. The Appendix on the Game Act of 1831 is inserted at the front of the text.

Illustrations

Illustrated by portrait frontispiece and by 30 wood engraved and copper plates, including one folding hand coloured aquatint, and by a folding table.

Notes

Well illustrated alphabetically arranged compilation on all aspects of field sports, including hunting and shooting,horse racing, cockfighting and angling. The author, Thomas Burgeland Johnson (c.1878-1840), writer on field sports, had already published books on shooting and hunting but this Cyclopedia was his most successful work. In it he displays typically robust opinions, describing poachers as 'those nocturnal depredators, by whom the game is so shamefully destroyed, in opposition to all law and in defiance of order.' A good example of the systematic works which reflected the increasing early nineteenth century obsession with all aspects of outdoor sporting activities.