will easily run down two brace before dinner. Against this practice SOMERVILLE expresses his disapprobation in the following animated lines: "A different hound for every different chase But it is only in a good scenting day these speedy hounds shew themselves, for without the constant discipline of the Whip, and perpetually hunting them down, it is impossible to make a good pack of them. There is another sort preferred from their tenderness of Nose, and because they eat little, but without great care they are apt to chatter without any occasion *. The mixture of all or any of them with a distinguishable proportion of Southern blood will be useful; a race may then be produced, pos * Of this diminutive and lavish kind the late Colonel HARDY had once a Cry, consisting of ten or eleven couple, which were always carried to and from the field in a large pair of Panniers, slung across a horse; small as they were, they would keep a Hare at all her shifts to escape them, and often worry her to death: but it was similar to that species of hunting where a Fox was hunted in Devonshire House Gardens; it might be endured as a novelty, but no one would ever wish to behold it a second time. The Catastrophe attending this Pack of Hounds is laughable, and perhaps is a Larceny unique in its attempt. A small barn was their allotted Kennel, the door of which was one night broke open, and every hound with the Panniers stolen, nor could the most diligent search discover the least trace of the Robbers, or their Booty. sessing a good share both of nose and steadiness, and that by running with less Speed, will sooner and with greater certainty hunt up to their game. The Hounds mostly used for Hare-hunting, are the deep-tongued, thick-lipped, broad and longhung Southern hounds. The fleet, sharp-nosed Dog, ears narrow, deep chested, with thin shoulders, shewing a quarter cross of the Foxhound. The rough wire-haired Hound, thick quartered, well hung, and not too much flesh on his shoulders. The rough or smooth Beagle. Each of these sorts has its Excellencies, nor can one be with justice commended as superior to the other; it is according to the varying inclinations of Sportsmen that a preference is to be established. He that delights in a six hours chase, and to be up with the Dogs all the time, should breed from the Southern Hounds first mentioned, or from that heavy sort which Gentlemen use in the Weald of Sussex; their Cry is a good and deep bass musick, and considering how dirty the country is, the diversion they afford to those who are on foot for a day together, renders them in high estimation; they generally pack well from their equality of speed, and at the least Default, every nose is upon the ground in an instant to recover the Scent. In an open country, where there is good riding, the second sort is to be preferred; their tongues are harmonious, and at the same time they go so fast, as to prevent a Hare from playing many tricks before them; they seldom allow her time to loiter and make much work; she must run and continue her foiling, or change her ground; if the latter, she is soon killed, for fresh ground, especially on Turf, is, in some degree, one continued view. It is dif ficult however to procure a pack of fast Hounds that run evenly together; some are usually found to tail, and their exertions to keep up to the leading hounds, make them of little use, further than enlarging the cry, unless when the scent is over-ran, then Hounds thrown out or tailed often come up, and hit off the fault. It is very common for the fleetest hound to be the greatest favourite, but let a hound be ever so good in his own nature, his Excellence is obscured in that pack which is too slow for him. At most times there is work enough for every hound in the field, and each ought to bear a part; but this it is impossible for the heavy hounds to do, if run out of Wind by the disproportionate speed of a leading hound; for it is not sufficient for hounds to run up, which a good hound will labour hard for, but they should be able to do so with Ease, with retention of breath and spirits, and with their tongues at command; it can never be expected that any Scent can be well followed by hounds that do not carry a good head. It is too frequent a practice in numerous Kennels, to keep some for their Music, others for their Beauty, who at best are silly and trifling, without nose or sagacity; this is wrong, for it is a certain maxim, that every dog which does no good, serves only to foil the ground and confound the Scent, by scampering before or interrupting their betters in |