DANiEL’s RURAL SPORTS. 
history of the kind; for which, like all 
his recent predecessors, he is much in- 
debted to the luxuriant fancy and ele- 
gant pen of Buffon. Like him he de- 
rives from the shepherd’s dog many of 
the numerous varieties which have been 
the effect of domestication: but in op- 
' position to that popular naturalist, he 
asserts that the dog will couple both with 
the wolf and the fox, and that the dogs 
of Greenland and Kamptschatka are of 
wolfish origin. Among the many in- 
stances which he has given of that in- 
stinctive sagacity in his favourite ani- 
mal which nearly approaches the con- 
fines of intellect and reason, one or two 
appear of dubious authority; but the 
collection is the most copious which we 
have seen, and will be entertaining to 
readers of every description. x 
Having given this general account of 
the species, he proceeds to those which 
are more particularly connected with 
rural sports, and amongst these the fox- 
~ hound takes the lead. 
With respect to the size and shape of 
fox-hounds, and their management both, 
in the kennel and the field, he takes 
for his guide “ that well informed fox- 
hunter who has favoured the world with 
his thoughts onthat particular diversion.” 
But he does not blindly rely on “ this 
compleat master of the science :” he 
sometimes gives a different opinion of 
his own “ tounded on long and success- 
ful practice :” though, as he modestly in- 
timates, the difference “ may have re- 
sulted from local situation.’ On the 
construction and economy of the dog- 
kennel, he has a right to assume a deci- 
sive tone; for he is master of one him- 
self, and, m whatever concerns it, is per- 
fectly at home. But Mr. Meynel, he in- 
‘forms us, is, perhaps, “ the only man 
compleatly skilful in making the most of 
any particular hound by nicety of feed- 
ing.’ ‘ Hounds,” he adds, “ to do 
their work in style, should be well in 
flesh, and that flesh, firm; they should 
| ever be fat——a fat hound, a fat horse, 
a fat man, if propriety be at all con- 
ulted, can have no business at a fox 
chase.’’ 
_ The conclusion of the following para- 
graph concerning the height and shape 
of the fox-hound will relax the muscles 
of the most rigid cheek into a smile. 
wt 
*¢ The height and shape of’the fox-hound, 
is next to be considered : and doubtless the 
difference of country may excuse a variable- 
ness Of opinion in this respect ; but there are 
$45 
certain hounds well adapted for business ; and 
which will not suffer themselves to be dis- 
graced in any country ; and these are the 
middle sized. All animals of that deseription 
are strongest and best able to endure fatigue. 
In the colour of their hounds most sportsmen 
have their prejudices ; in their shape, it is 
presumed they must all agree ; to look well 
they should be nearly of a size, if they appear 
of the same family it will be an addition, and 
if handsome withal, they are then perfect so 
far as respects their appearance ; but there are 
necessary points in the shape of a hounds 
which ought ever beattended to, for if he is 
not of. perfect symmetry, he will neither run 
fast, nor bear hard work ; mueh speed is' re- 
quired, and he should possess adequate 
strength. His legs should be straight as ar- 
rows ; his feet round, and not too large ; his 
shoulders should lie back ; his breast rather 
wide than narrow ; his chest deep ; his back 
broad ; his neck thin ; his head small ; his 
tail thick and bushy, and which, if he carries 
well, will add to his comeliness. It must be 
kept in mind, that although a small head is 
mentioned as one of the requisites*of a fox- 
hound, that it is to be understood as relative 
to beauty only; for as to goodness, large 
headed hounds are in no wise inferior. As am 
instance : amongst a draft of young hounds 
from Earl Fitzwilliam’s was one, of whom 
Will Dean, his Lordship’s huntsman, made 
this remark in his letter : “* that he could not 
“« guess at Lord Foley’s dislike to the hound 
“*< called Glider, then sent, which was of 
“the best blood of the country, being got 
“* by Mr. Meynell’s Glider, out of Lord Fitz- 
*¢ william’s Blossom, and was moreover the 
‘* most promising young hound he had ever 
““ entered, unless his lordship took a distaste 
“* to the largeness of thehead ; but he begged 
**Jeave to assert, although it might appear a 
““ trifle out of size, there was a world of se- 
‘* rious mischief to the foxes contained in it.” 
The event just.fied Dean’s prediction in its 
utmost latitude, for Glider was a most capi- 
tal chace, and long a favourite stallion hound, 
notwithstanding the magnitude and inclegance 
of his head.” 
_ The directions concerning the breed- 
ing, education, and future government 
of fox hounds are equally full and ex- 
plicit. But we have neither room to fol- 
low him in his details, sor capacity to 
pass ajudgmer, on their merit. On this 
eccasion we are obliged to employ that 
implicit faith which we are sensible does 
not properly belong to the workshop of a 
reviewer. But in the present instance 
there is noalternative. Rural Sports must 
either be reviewed by an incompetent 
critic, Or it must-not be reviewed at all. 
For when, from the days of Le Clerc to 
the present hour, did a fox-hunter take 
his place at any of our boards? 
The diseases of dogs are treated of at . 
large, ‘The most fatal of these are that 
