173 



THE LURCHER. 

 Canis vertagus* 



THIS dog in its most ancient form was a greyhound, 

 with powers of scent, and perhaps the true grey- 

 hound of the long-haired variety, .and to that race 

 we refer the ancient name of Vertagus ; for to what 

 other can Martial's lines be ascribed, 



Non sibi, sed domino venatur Vertagus acer 

 Illaesum leporem qui tibi, dente refert. MARTIAL. 



Surely no Turnspit can be intended by this portrait, 

 but a fleet dog well trained, and sagacious, though 

 neglected. In proportion as the more elegant race 

 of the smooth-haired breeds became the fashion, the 

 use of its varied powers was misapplied to the 

 destruction of game in unlawful practices, so that 

 he became proscribed, and we now possess only an 

 occasional mongrel reared for the purposes of poach- 

 ing* in the night, and executing his felon master's 

 instructions with a silence, skill, and effect worthy 



* Vertagus, or Vertragus, the Celto- British Ver-trache, and 

 German Brach, the eager, or swift dog. See Whitaker's His- 

 tory of Manchester. 



