130 A HUNTING CATECHISM 



As to the pace of hounds, whether in the 

 present day this has been somewhat sacrificed to 

 scenting qualities or not, opinions differ even 

 amongst experts, but so long as a fox is fairly 

 chased by scent, and not by sight, it seems 

 difficult to say that hounds can be too fast, for, 

 after all, it must be the nose that directs the legs. 

 In the case of a view it is different, and the faster 

 hounds are bred the more chance there must be 

 of chopping a fox the moment he is roused, before 

 he has had time to get fairly on his legs ; but 

 for every other reason it would seem the faster 

 hounds can go the more use they will make of 

 the scent, and keep nearer to the fox ; and this 

 again results in a better scent, through it not 

 having time to become dissipated in the air before 

 the hounds can pick it up. 



In the remarks previously made about harriers, 

 however, it was there explained that it is not 

 advisable to have very speedy hounds to hunt 

 hares, as there is much more pleasure to be 

 derived from the wiles of a hare, and unravelling 

 them, than in simply racing a weak animal to 

 death. 



The two views of the case have been ably put 

 forward by Mr. Elsey and Tom Smith, and after 

 perusing them it is hoped that each person will 

 feel able to decide the case for himself, to his own 

 satisfaction. 



The former writes as follows : — 



" I think hounds have been bred so much for 

 pace and looks, and so fast, that many and many 

 a run has ended in failure that probably should 

 have been a good one. The fox has been obliged 

 to turn short, and either return to covert or else 

 run very cunning, or if he does keep straight 



