in zoology. See LEPUS.
The hare is a beast of venery, or of the forest, but peculiarly so termed in the second year of her age. There are reckoned four sorts of them, from the place of their abode: some live in the mountains, some in the fields, some in marshes, and some wander about everywhere. The mountain-hares are the swiftest; the field-hares are not so nimble, and those of the marshes are the slowest: but the wandering hares are the most dangerous to follow; for they are cunning in the ways and mazes of the fields, and, knowing the nearest ways, run up the hills and rocks, to the confusion of the dogs, and the discouragement of the hunters. See the article HUNTING.
Hares and rabbits are very mischievous to newly planted orchards, by peeling off the barks of the tender and young trees for their food. They do also the same sort of mischief to nurseries; for the prevention of which, some bind ropes about the trees up to such a height as they are able to reach; some daub them with tar; but though this keeps off the hares, it is itself mischievous to the trees; but this hurtful property of it is in some degree taken off by mixing any kind of fat or grease with it, and incorporating them well over the fire. This mixture is to be rubbed over the lower part of the trees in November, and will preserve them till that time the next year, without any danger from these animals. It is only in the hard weather in the winter season, when other food is scarce, that these creatures feed on the barks of trees.
People who have the care of warrens, pretend to an odd way of making hares fat when they get them there. This is the stopping up their ears with wax, and rendering them deaf. The hare is so timorous a creature, that she is continually listening after every noise, and will run a long way on the least suspicion of danger; so that she always eats in terror, and runs herself out of flesh continually. These are both prevented by her feeding in a safe place, and that without apprehension; and they say she will always readily be fattened in this way.
Though the hare lives on vegetables and water only, yet the habitual exercise of this animal exalts its salts, and renders it somewhat alkaline; and this tendency is much increased, if it is killed immediately after being heated by strong exercise.
JAVA HARE. See Mus.
HARE'S EAR, in botany. See Bupleurum.
(Dr Francis), an English bishop, of whose birth we have no particulars, was bred at Eton school, and from that foundation became a member of King's college, Cambridge; where he had the tuition of the marquis of Blandford, only son of the illustrious duke of Marlborough, who appointed him chaplain-general to the army. He afterwards obtained the deanery of Worcester, and from thence was promoted to the bishopric of Chichester, which he held with the deanery of St Paul's to his death, which happened in 1740.
He was dismissed from being chaplain to George I. in 1718, by the strength of party prejudices, in company with Dr Moss and Dr Sherlock, persons of distinguished rank for parts and learning.—About the latter end of queen Anne's reign he published a remarkable pamphlet, intituled, The difficulties and discouragements which attend the study of the scriptures, in the way of private judgment: in order to shew, that since such a study of the scriptures is an indispensible duty, it concerns all Christian societies to remove, as much as possible, those discouragements. In this work, his manner appeared to be so ludicrous, that the convocation fell upon him, as if he were really against the study of the holy scriptures: and Whiston says, that finding this piece likely to hinder that pretention he was seeking for, he aimed to conceal his being the author. He published many pieces against bishop Hoadly, in the Bangorian Controversy, as it is called; and also other learned works, which were collected after his death, and published in four vols. 8vo. 2. An edition of Terence, with notes, in 4to. 3. The book of Psalms in the Hebrew, put into the original poetical metre, 4to. In this last work, he pretends to have discovered the Hebrew metre, which was supposed to be irretrievably lost. But his hypothesis, though defended by some, yet has been confuted by several learned men, particularly by Dr Lowth in his Metrica Hareana brevis consuetudo, annexed to his lectures De Sacra Poesi Hebraeorum.
HALESBURY a town of Wiltshire, on the Willy near Warminster, 94 miles from London, is in old records called Heighsbury, or Heysbury; and now it is writ Hatchbury. It was once the seat of the empress Maud. Here are fairs May 14th, and September 15th; and it has sent members to parliament ever since Henry VI. it being an ancient borough by prescription. There is an almshouse here for 12 poor men and a woman. Here is a collegiate church with four prebendaries, and a free school, and the place is governed by a bailiff and burgesses.
HARFLEUR an ancient town of France, in Normandy; but is now a poor place, on account of its fortifications being demolished, and its harbour choked up. It was taken by the English, by assault, in the year 1415. It is seated on the river Lizard, near the Seine, five miles from Havre de Grace, forty north-west of Rouen, and one hundred and six north-west of Paris. E. Long. o. 17. N. Lat. 49. 30.