t but little artificial arrangement in its
disposal?

Because the stag, by nature one of the freest denizens of the forest, can
only be kept even under comparative restraint, by taking care that all
around him intimates a complete state of forest and wilderness. Thus,
there ought to be a variety of broken ground, of copse-wood, and of
growing timber--of land, and of water. The soil and herbage must be left
in its natural state; the long fern, amongst which the fawns delight to
repose, must not be destroyed.

Why did the common people formerly call the forest "good," and the
greenwood "merry?"

Because of the pleasure they took in the scenes themselves, as well as in
the pastimes which they afforded.

Why is a short gallop called a canter?

Because of its abbreviation from Canterbury, the name of the pace used by
the monks in going to that city.

Why was a certain noise called the "hunt's-up?"

Because it was made to rouse a person in a morning; originally a tune
played to wake the sportsmen, and call them together, the purport of which
was, _The hunt is up!_ which was the subject of hunting ballads also.

This expression is common among the older poets. One Gray, it is said,
grew into good estimation with Henry VIII. and the Duke of Somerset, "for
making certaine merry ballades, whereof one chiefly was, _the hunte is up!
the hunte is up!_" Shakspeare has--

Since arm from arm that voice doth us affray,
Hunting thee hence with _hunts-up_ to the day.
_Romeo and Juliet._

Again, in Drayton's _Polyolbion_--

No sooner doth the earth her flow'ry bosom brave,
At such time as the year brings on the pleasant spring,
But _hunts-up_ to the morn the feather'd sylvans sing.

Why is a small hunting horn called a bugle?

Because of its origin from _bugill_, which means a buffalo, or perhaps any
horned cattle. In the Scottish dialect it was _bogle_, or _bowgill_.
_Buffe_, _bugle_, and _buffalo_, are all given by Barrett, as synonimous
for the wild ox.--_Nares' Glossary_.

Why is the stirrup so called?

Because of its origin from _stigh-rope_, from _stigan ascendere_, to
mount; and thus termed by our Saxon ancestors, from a rope being used for
mounting when stirrups began to be used in this island. It is evident,
from various monuments of antiquity, that, at first, horsemen rode without
either saddles or stirrups.

Why are sportsmen said to hunt counter?

Because they hunt th