22 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



running propensities, a very close hunting hound that 

 will pick through the coldest scent is best adapted for 

 the purpose. When he comes to a check his natural 

 cast should be close. A fox pursued after that fashion 

 will in all probability run from day-break till sunset. 

 Hounds for the chase of the fox require greater speed, 

 with more dash, enthusiasm, and energy. When they 

 come to a check, their cast, without being wild, should 

 be extensive, and they should, to use the simile of an 

 old huntsman, " spread like a sky rocket." Beckford 

 has treated this subject so well that I cannot refrain 

 from making an extract. After some observations on 

 the difference between hunting foxes and hares, he 

 adds : — 



" The hounds themselves also differ in their manner 

 of hunting. The beagle, who has always his nose to 

 the ground, will puzzle an hour on one spot sooner than 

 leave the scent ; while the fox-hound, full of life and 

 spirit, is always dashing and trying forward. A high- 

 bred fox-hound, therefore shows himself to most 

 advantage when foxes are at their strongest, and run 

 an end. A pack of harriers will kill a cub better, per- 

 haps, than a pack of fox-hounds ; but, when foxes are 

 strong, they have not the method of getting on with 

 the scent which fox-hounds have, and generally tire 

 themselves before the fox. To kill foxes when they 

 are strong, hounds must run as well as hunt ; besides, 

 catching a fox by hard running is always preferred, in 

 the opinion of a fox-hunter. Much depends on the style 

 in which it is done ; and I think, without being 

 sophistical, a distinction might be made betwixt 

 hunting a fox and fox-hunting. Two hackneys become 

 not racers by running round a course, nor does the 

 mere hunting of a fox change the nature of the harrier. 

 I have also seen a hare hunted by high-bred fox-hounds ; 

 yet, I confess to you, it gave me not the least idea of 

 what hare-hunting ought to be. Certain ideas are 

 necessarily annexed to certain words — this is the 

 use of language — and when a fox-hound is mentioned. 



