Louis XI., Charles VIII., and Louis XII. often hunted thus.  The leopards, which formed a part of the royal venery, were kept in an enclosure of the Castle of Amboise, which still exists near the gate des Lions, so called, no doubt, on account of these sporting and carnivorous animals being mistaken for lions by the common people.  There, were, however, always lions in the menageries of the kings of France.

[Illustration:  Fig. 139.—­“The Way to catch Squirrels on the Ground in the Woods”—­Fac-simile of a Miniature in the Manuscript of the “Livre du Roy Modus” (Fourteenth Century)]

Francis I. was quite as fond of hunting as any of his predecessors.  His innate taste for sport was increased during his travels in Italy, where he lived with princes who displayed great splendour in their hunting equipages.  He even acquired the name of the Father of Sportsmen.  His netting establishment alone, consisted of one captain, one lieutenant, twelve mounted huntsmen, six varlets to attend the bloodhounds; six whips, who had under their charge sixty hounds; and one hundred bowmen on foot, carrying large stakes for fixing the nets and tents, which were carried by fifty six-horsed chariots.  He was much pleased when ladies followed the chase; and amongst those who were most inclined to share its pleasures, its toils, and even its perils, was Catherine de Medicis, then Dauphine, who was distinguished for her agility and her graceful appearance on horseback, and who became a thorough sportswoman.

[Illustration:  Fig. 140.-"The Way of catching Partridges with an Osier Net-Work Apparatus”—­Fac-simile of a Miniature in “Livre du Roy Modus.”]

The taste for hunting having become very general, and the art being considered as the most noble occupation to which persons could devote themselves, it is not surprising to find sporting works composed by writers of the greatest renown and of the highest rank.  The learned William Bude, whom Erasmus called the wonder of France, dedicated to the children of Francis I. the second book of his “Philologie,” which contains a treatise on stag-hunting.  This treatise, originally written in Latin, was afterwards translated into French by order of Charles IX., who was acknowledged to be one of the boldest and most scientific hunters of his time.  An extraordinary feat, which has never been imitated by any one, is recorded of him, and that was, that alone, on horseback and without dogs, he hunted down a stag.  The “Chasse Royale,” the authorship of which is attributed to him, is replete with scientific information.  “Wolf-hunting,” a work by the celebrated Clamorgan, and “Yenery,” by Du Fouilloux, were dedicated to Charles IX., and a great number of special treatises on such subjects appeared in his reign.

[Illustration:  Fig. 141.—­“Kennel in which Dogs should live, and how they should be kept.”—­Fac-simile of a Miniature in Manuscript of Phoebus (Fifteenth Century).]