ON THE BUCK-HOUND 207 



lawn ; living, as it were, in the most friendly inter- 

 course ; and know that a word from the keeper will 

 dissolve the amity ? The obedient dog, gentle when 

 unprovoked, flies to the well-known summons : how 

 changed from what he was ! Roused from his peace- 

 ful state, and cheered by his master's voice, he is now 

 urged on with a relentless fury, that only death can 

 satisfy — the death of the very deer he is encouraged 

 to pursue ; and which the various scents that cross 

 him in his way cannot tempt him to forsake. The 

 business of the day over, see him follow, careless and 

 contented, his master's steps, to repose upon the same 

 lawn where the frightened deer again return, and are 

 again indebted to his courtesy for their wonted 

 pasture — wonderful proofs of obedience, sagacity, 

 and penetration ! The many learned dogs and 

 learned horses, that so frequently appear and astonish 

 the vulgar, sufficiently evince what education is 

 capable of; and it is to education that I must chiefly 

 attribute the superior excellence of the buck-hound, 

 since I have seen high-bred fox-hounds do the same, 

 under the same good masters. But, to return to my 

 subject. 



Young foxes that have been much disturbed, will 

 lie at ground. I once found seven or eight in a cover, 

 where, the next day, I could not find one ; nor were 

 they to be found elsewhere : the earths, at such times, 

 should be stopt three or four hours before day, or you 

 will find no foxes. 



The first day you hunt a cover that is full of foxes, 

 and you want blood, let them not be checked back into 



