BRITISH SPORT PAST AND PRESENT 



motives which actuated Sir Roger in ordering that hare to be 

 turned out in the orchard. Hares are not the most desirable 

 live stock to maintain among fruit trees ; it is likely that in 

 Queen Anne's time, as at the end of the century, the practice 

 of hunting ' basket ' or ' trap ' hares may have been in vogue. 

 No more scruple was held about hunting basket hares than 

 bag foxes. Beckford, you remember, kept a paled warren 

 with brick menses, and trapped a hare whenever he happened 

 to want one for hunting or coursing. 



To write of hare-hunting and omit at least a passage from 

 The Chace would savour of heresy : — 



' ... As captive boys, 

 CowM by the ruling rod, and haughty frowns 

 Of pedagogues severe, from their hard tasks 

 If once dismissed, no limits can contain, 

 The tumult rais'd within their little breasts. 

 But give a loose to all their frolic play : 

 So from their kennel rush the joyous pack ; 

 A tliousand wanton gaieties express 

 Their inward ecstasy, their pleasing sport 

 Once more indulg''d, and liberty restored. 

 The rising sun that o'er th' liorizon peeps, 

 As many colours from their glossy skins 

 Beaming reflects, as paint the various bow 

 When April showVs descend. Delightful scene ! 

 Where all around is gay, men, horses, dogs. 

 And in each smiling countenance appears 

 Fresh-blooming liealth, and universal joy. 

 Huntsman, lead on ! behind the clustVing pack 

 Submiss attend, hear with respect thy whip 

 Loud-clanging, and tliy harsher voice obey : 

 Spare not the straggling cur that wildly roves, 

 But let thy brisk assistant on his back 

 Imprint thy just resentments, let each lash 

 Bite to the quick, till howling he return 

 And whining creep amid the trembling crowd. 

 Here on this veniant spot, where Nature kind 

 With double blessings crowns the farmer's hopes ; 

 48 



