THE HOUNDS. 163 



Tlie ineinhcrs of the club are so disgusted at the uiortality, that they would 

 not consider the proposition made at our meeting, to get out three couples in 

 September, and sec if, by getting them here before the cold weather, they would 

 be acclimatized for the hot weather. We agreed to give the four dogs of the 

 old pack which still sur\'ive, to different members, who are going to try and 

 breed with some terriers who have stood the climate, or, perhaps, with native 

 l)itches, and try if we cannot get up a pack of half-breeds who have a chance of 

 living more than one season. I am not sanguine, but think it the only thing to 

 do. We have now to be content with paper chases and follow-my-leader, but 

 they will not be so popular with the general public as the hounds were, though 

 some of the hard-riding fraternity like the tearing gallops best. Once more 

 thanking you and Mr. Macfie for all you did for us, and regretting having such 

 a bad account to gi\c you, I am, yours trul\-, 



H. D. DicKu;, (lion. Sec. Rangoon Hunt Club.) 



" My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind, 

 So flew'd, so sanded ; and tlieir heads are hung 

 With ears that sweep away the morning dew ; 

 Crook-knee'd, and dew-lap'u like Thessalian bulls ; 

 Slow in pursuit, but match'd in mouth like bells, 

 Kach under each. A cry more tunable 

 Was never halloo'd to, nor cheer'd with horn, 

 In Crete, in Sparta, nor in Thessaly.'' 



J\Iidsu>iitiier Night's Dtvam, act iv, scene i. 



The breetiing of hounds is a very important matter in all kennels, and 

 is much encouraged by tlie modern practice of showing selections of hounds 

 at Peterborough Show. This causes a friendly rivalry among various Masters 

 of hounds, which helps to improve the strain in each kennel. The hunting 

 lite of a hound being about eight years, to keep up the numbers means that 

 the whole pack has to be renewed during that time. Although there may be 

 a good number of puppies each year, if the Master is very particular, it is 

 certain that no large proportion of them will meet his views as to the 

 (lualities he is seeking. He will probably keep only three or four out of each 

 litter, destroying the others. 



The prudent huntsman therefore will supply 

 With annual large recruits his broken pack. 

 And propagate their kind. Consider well 

 His lineage ; what his fathers did of old, 

 Chiefs of the pack, and first to climb the rock ; 

 Observe with care his shape, sort, colour, size : 

 Xor will sagacious huntsmen less regard 

 His inward habits. The vain babbler shun, 

 Ever loquacious, ever in the wrong : 

 His foolish offspring shall offend thy ears 

 With false alarms and loud impertinence. 

 Xor less the shifting cur avoid, that breaks 

 Illusive from the pack ; to the next hedge 

 Devious he strays, there ev'ry muse he tries ; 

 If haply then he cross the steaming scent. 

 Away he flies vain-glorious, and exults 

 As of the pack supreme, and in his speed 

 And strength undvall'd. Lo ! cast far behind 

 w 3 



