The Witchery of Archery

by Maurice Thompson, Cameron Lambright (Introduction)

Overview

Deluxe reproduction of Maurice Thompson's classic archery text, with new introduction, text notes, and author bio. Includes all of the original illustrations, the complete appendix, and an additional chapter (Chapter XVII) from the book's Second Edition. From Incandescence Press.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780996799102
Publisher:	Incandescence Press
Publication date:	04/16/2016
Edition description:	Revised with New Introduction, Notes, Bio, and Type Setting. ed.
Pages:	186
Sales rank:	700,819
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.56(d)

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER V. HARE, OR RABBIT SHOOTING. The hare has always been considered the most timid as well as the most tender of animals. " My hare," was the very softest and sweetest phrase in the Roman language. In the days of the empire, mi lepus were the words of endearment breathed into the damsel's ear by the loving youth just ready to don the toga. The reason of this will be well understood by whomsoever has had the exquisite pleasure of devouring a broiled rabbit saddle, served with brown gravy, for breakfast. The rabbit, or, if we follow the naturalist, the hare, is found everywhere in the eastern part of the United States, from Florida to the great lakes of the north. With us, as a people, the name is rabbit, no matter what the zoologist may say, and no matter how many varieties may be found ; but the hunter knows the gray rabbit from the brown hare as well as he knows a woodcock from a partridge ; and the epicure is at once disgusted when he finds that his servant has purchased for his table a longlegged woods-hare (Lepus Americamis) instead of the delicately pencilled gray rabbit (L. sylvaticus) he orderedthe difference in flavor and the consistency of the flesh being quite marked. In the Southern States, where the forests are thickly grown with pine underbrush, rabbits are exceedingly numerous, their paths everywhere crossing and recrossing each other. Taking advantage of this habit of following well-defined trails, the negroes of the South trap and snare large numbers of them. I will wager you a good bow you miss your first hare, though you may find him crouched in his form not ten paces from you; in fact, while he is a good large mark, he is very difficult to hit before youhave learned by experience just how to aim at him. In still hunting you will generall...

Editorial Reviews

"All the witchery of archery takes possession of us in but the briefest half hour's acquaintance with Mr. Thompson's charming book." - Buffalo Courier

"Mr. Thompson is an enthusiast in his pastime, but he is not less a lover of nature and an accurate observer in natural history, especially of birds; and the reader will be delighted with his experiences as a hunter and a roamer of the woods. The book is full of the flavor of nature, like those of Thoreau and John Burroughs." - Hartford Courant

"The entire book is charming, and we cordially recommend it to readers generally, whether they are interested in archery or not, certain that they will find an enjoyable freshness about it that would have been a severe loss to have missed." - Peoria Call

"Mr. Thompson is a devoted disciple of the bow, and he writes with a freshness and enthusiasm that are contagious." - Cincinnati Times

"Maurice Thompson's graphic articles will delight the lovers of archery, which ancient sport finds new life and freshness under the vigorous touches of his pen." - New York Tribune

"Mr. Thompson, knight of the bow and quiver, with file help of many graceful pictures, charms us with his dissertations upon his old-time sport." - New York Churchman

From the Publisher