The gentlemans recreation in two parts : the first being an encyclopedy of the arts and sciences ... the second part treats of horsmanship, hawking, hunting, fowling, fishing, and agriculture : with a short treatise of cock-fighting ... : all which are collected from the most authentick authors, and the many gross errors therein corrected, with great enlargements ... : and for the better explanation thereof, great variety of useful sculptures, as nets, traps, engines, &c. are added for the taking of beasts, fowl and fish : not hitherto published by any : the whole illustrated with about an hundred ornamental and useful sculptures engraven in copper, relating to the several subjects.

The Introduction.

THE Art of War is so noble and necessary a study for all Gentlemen as well as Soul∣diers, that would fit and prepare them∣selves to be Instruments for the glory of their King, and safety of their Countrey, that without it they must be useless at home, and altogether Strangers to Battles and Transactions abroad. [ 10] How was it possible for a handful of Greeks to Conquer most of Asia, and subdue that mighty Persian Empire, more likely to have given the Law to Europe, than to have received it from so small a part, and People of it; but by being exceedingly their Superiours in Military Arts and Discipline: Having for the Education of their Youth, their Tactici, or Publick Teachers: and their Gymnasias, or Publick Schools; by which means the Grecian Youth were so accustomed to [ 20] Military Exercises, that it was a Reproach and Ignominy to any that had not learn'd to handle their Arms; and (as some relate) they were so trained up in their Schools, that they were Fed and Lodged as if they had been actually on Duty in the Field; which doubtless was a Method worthy of praise and imitation; for thereby in an in∣stant they were able not only to form an Army of Souldiery, expert in the use of their Arms; but also to have it consist of Men, accustomed [ 30] with the Dyet and Hardships of War.

The Romans (those great Examples of Mili∣tary Worth) although they had not such Publick Teachers, or Schools to fit their Youth for Arms; yet we find they had their Field of Mars, whi∣ther the Roman Youth resorted to the practice of Military and Warlike Exercises; and we read, they were so strict in the choise of their Soul∣diers, that none could be admitted to, or attain the Dignity of one of the 24 Military Tribunes [ 40] (although he was most in favour) that had not served at least five years in the Wars; and none that had less favour could be a Tribune, before he had served in the Wars 11 Years amongst the Foot, or 15 amongst the Horse; whereby we see, none could be an Officer before he had been a Long time a Private Souldier, judging him unfit to Command, who had not first learn'd to Obey: And their great Care in this matter, we may learn from the prudent distribution of [ 50] their Tribunes in their Legions; that whereas the first Legion of a Consular Army had four Tribunes, which might have served in the Wars but five Years, yet it had two Tribunes which had served 11, or 15 Years, and so in course for the remaining three Legions; whereby they distributed as near as might be the most know∣ing and experienced Tribunes in every Legion. Such was the Excellency, of the Roman Military Discipline! War was the Policy of their Common-Wealth, the Renown of their Families; the Glory and Employment of Private Men; It was a dishonour to their Great Men to be overcome; and for their Followers, not to go as far as they: Their Souldiers went Singing to the Battle; and such as owed their Safety to their Heels, were forc'd through meer Shame to rid themselves with a Halter of their hated Lives. Thus they were Endowed with such Noble Courage, for which they were celebrated above any other Nation.

But why do we dazle out Eyes with the Splendor of either the Grecian or Roman Arms, or be so unjust to our selves as to diminish or Lessen the glorious Actions of this Nation, that thereby we might only flatter Antiquity? The English has filled their Histories with passages as truly noble as those we read of with so much admiration in the Grecian and Roman Writers; and forein, as well as their own Histories do them the right to tell the World, how not only Towns, but Provinces, and Kingdoms have been the reward of their Victories, as their memorable Exploits, famous Victories, and large Conquests in France, Ireland, and Cyprus, &c. how they brought under Cicily, and carried the terror of their Arms into Asia; But withal they bid us observe, that such great and noble Actions were due to their great knowledge in Military Arts and Discipline, acquired by unwearied industry and pains, when their Youth were bred up in shame of Vice, and boldness to undergo peril for Vertues sake; For it is certain, as Plutarch speaks of the Lacedemonians, in his Life of the Theban General, Pelopidas, That it is neither Eurotas, nor the place betwixt Babyx and Gnacion (Rivers in and about the City Lacedemon, then famous for brave Souldiers) that bringeth forth Valiant and War-like Men: There is in most Men a kind of Fear that is born with them; few with Hercules in the Cradle dare encounter and strangle Serpents. It is true, in some few Youths we may discover a certain kind of greatness of Mind, that betimes by their forward and lively Spirits, and by some brave excursions of Mind, may give sure Signs of their innate Courage; yet we must do so much right to Discipline, as to acknowledg, that Valour rather Springs from that than from any Prerogative of Birth; and thus that Man

that hath been afraid at the very name of War, when brought (as it were) to see and handle the Dangers thereof; and when he perceives, that Death is not certain in Battles, that but a few Fall when it is couragiously fought, and that his Fears have often deceived and fooled him, now dares be one in the hardest Service, and can meet the most threatning Dangers boldly and chearfully, obtaining that by Experience, which he never had by Nature. Where Courage is natural, Dis∣cipline [ 10] must have the refining and ordering of it, before it be genuine and true. And it is certain, where Courage is not innate, Discipline, when applied, never fails to produce it. The Thebans (which till the Day they obtained the Victory against the Lacedemonians) had no Re∣putation of Valour; yet by Exercise and Use of Arms, under their Experienced and Skilful Ge∣nerals, Epaminondas and Pelopidas, are too hard for the Brave Spartans, who before were ac∣counted [ 20] the most Valiant People of Greece.

It is not to be doubted, but that the Old Eng∣lish Valour is still the same, although it were to be wished, that Young Gentlemen, and Persons of Quality, were more inclinable, in imitation of the Noble performances, and Illustrious exploits of their Ancestors; to acquaint themselves with Military Exercises and Manly Employments, that by their acquired Knowledge joyning with their Genius, they may be an Ornament to a worthy [ 30] Posterity, in being serviceable to their King and Countrey, like that brave and resolute Spartan, Isadas, in a Just and Honourable War, whenever they shall be called to the Field.

And can there be any greater Encouragement to set about the practice of this so Great and Noble a Study, than to be blest with a General to your Armies, and an Admiral to your Fleet, in the Person of a King; and of as Active a Temper, and Warlike Spirit, as either the Greeks Alexander, or the Roman Caesar, who has Cou∣rage [ 40] to lead you as far as yours dare follow; and wise Conduct to raise the Glory of this Na∣tion as high as you can wish; and who (without doubt) will take notice of such as endeavour to render themselves thus fit for His Service.

I do not design in this small Treatise, to speak of the handling of Arms, nor of the seve∣ral Postures, and Motions, taught the Souldiers, nor of the divers ways of Exercising a Troop, or [ 50] Company; since there is in the English Language so many Printed Books on this Subject: And that which would make one the less curious in doing it, is, because (though there be a great many fine things taught in these particulars, which are graceful to the Sight, and makes Souldiers the more ready) yet when they come in earnest to Fight, few of them are practised but to keep their Ranks even and close, their Files right, to Fire nimbly, to Charge boldly, [ 60] to be watchful of the Word of Command from their Officer, and to be exactly Obedient to it.

I shall only Discourse a little of the three Prin∣cipal Heads in the Art of War, viz. Marching, Incamping, and Imbatteling an Army, which if rightly understood, with the following Trea∣tise of Fortification; of Defending and Besiedg∣ing a Town; the Ingenious Souldier will find them very useful Instructions to him in divers occasions.