THE FOX. 189 



to those of erery other country for this kind of chaee, 

 and yet they have sometimes, especially the latter, 

 fallen victims to the ardour and length of the pursuit, 

 which has in some instances continued from forty to 

 fifty miles without intermission, and sometimes at* full 

 speed. One of the most celebrated chaces recorded 

 in the annals of fox-hunting, is that of the noted old 

 fox Ctesar, started from Ayrcy holme, in the county 

 of Durham, by Mr. C. Turner's hounds. The length 

 of this chace was above fifty miles; and Mr. Bewick 

 says, that Mr: Turner tired three horses; and that ( no 

 moie than three dogs continued the pursuit when 'he 

 thought proper to call them off in the evening. 



The moment that a fox finds himself pursued, he 

 flies toward some of his holes; but these bein^ always 

 stopped up before the chace begins, he has 110 other 

 resource than his speed and his cunning. He does 

 not double like the hare, but continues his course 

 straight forward, with great vigour and perseverance. 

 A constant chace has sometimes been thus kept up 

 for seven or eight hours together, or even for a longer 

 time. 



The scent which the fox leaves behind him being 

 exceeding strong, he appears sensible of that circum- 

 stance, and uses every artifice to bewilder the dogs, 

 and throw them out of their track. He generally 

 takes advantage of the wind, and often crosses rivers, 

 swims down sniuU streams, or runs along the top of a 

 wall, or an artificial hedge, in order to interrupt the 

 continuity of the scent, and puzzle the dogs; and his 

 artful contrivances often succeed so well, as to ensure 

 its safety. His urine is so offensive to the dogs, that 

 it sometimes proves the means of facilitating his 

 escape. If ho finds himself, in spite of all his shifts, 

 at last overtaken, he defends himself with obstinacy 

 until he is torn in pieces. 



The fox generally fixes his residence at the edge 

 of a wood not far removed from some villas or ham- 

 let, where he can listen, with rapture to the crowing 

 of a cock, the cackling of poultry, and the gabbling 

 of geese; all this i$ delightful music in his ears. He 



