THE STAGHOUND. 691 



middle of the night, when all my people have been asleep 

 around a fire, have I stood to contemplate these faithful ani- 

 mals lying by their side, and have learnt to esteem them for 

 their social inclination to mankind. When wandering over 

 pathless deserts, oppressed with vexation and distress, at the 

 conduct of my own men, I have turned to these as my only 

 friends, and felt how much inferior to them was man, when 

 actuated only by selfish views. It is impossible for the 

 naturalist, when taking a survey of the whole animal crea- 

 tion, not to feel the conviction, that this friendship between 

 two creatures so different from each other, must be the re- 

 sult of the laws of nature ; nor can the humane and feeling 

 mind avoid the belief, that kindness to those animals, from 

 which he derives continued and essential assistance, is part 

 of his moral duty." 



SECTION I.— DOGS OF THE CHASE. 



THE STAGHOUND. 



The staghound is now the largest and most powerful of all 

 the dogs which go under the general denomination of hound. 

 He is held in higher estimation than any other dog of the 

 chase, and has a most commanding and dignified aspect. 



The staghounds exclusively devoted to that sport, in 

 the royal establishment in this country, it is well known, 

 are an improved breed, produced by a cross between the old 

 English southern-hound, and the fleeter foxhound, grafted 

 upon the bloodhound. 



It has been asserted by the most celebrated naturalists, 

 that the hound, harrier, turnspit, water-dog, and spaniel are 

 all sprung from the same race ; and there seems to be strong 

 reasons for believing this to be the case, as their forms and 

 instinctive properties arc nearly allied in all these kinds : 



