40 



otter, once a favourite sport, is now but little practised, on 

 account of the great scarcity of that species, almost all of 

 whom have been exterminated on account of their destructive 

 habits among the fish in our preserved waters. At this par- 

 ticular season of the year, when every other branch of the 

 chase is necessarily abandoned, it is not surprising that when 

 a pack of otter hounds appear in any district they are well 

 patronized. Otter-hunting, properly speaking, is now very 

 little understood, on account of the scarcity of packs, it being 

 a sport one reads about in books, but seldom sees. The otter 

 leaves a very strong and lasting scent, which seems to remain 

 much longer than that of either the stag, fox, or hare, and a 

 well-bred hound will challenge it twelve hours, if not more, 

 after the game has passed, which often accounts for the long 

 drags before a view takes place. On Saturday last I had an 

 opportunity of seeing a very good run with the above pack ; 

 and, although I am afraid my description of the sport will fall 

 very far short of those you have formerly had sent you from 

 the pen of an old and distinguished otter-hunter, still a short 

 account may interest some of your readers. The Meet was 

 Craigie old dam, at seven in the morning. A good field 

 turned out to meet the Laird, who is a thorough sportsman, 

 being master of fox-hounds in Ireland, as well as keeping this 

 pack. Amongst those present, I observed George Oswald, 

 Esq., of Auchincruive; Mr. and Mrs. Oswald, Yr., of Auchin- 

 cruive, and Miss Oswald; R H. Campbell, Esq., Yr., of Glen- 

 daruel; Colonel Campbell, C.' Macpherson Campbell, Esq., of 

 Ballimore; Dr. Macknight, some ofiicers of the 5tli Fusiliers, 

 Messrs. White, J. Coats, Murray, Cross, &c., &c. Mr. Moreton 

 had six couple of otter hounds out, and two or three varmint 

 terriers. Punctually to the hour, Sandy cast the hounds on 

 the south bank, and, after feathering a bit, they crossed over 

 and opened underneath some trees. 



"Hark! on the drag I hear 

 Their doubtful notes, preludiug to a cry 

 More nobly full, and swelled with every mouth ; 

 A3 straggling armies at the trumpet voice, 



