THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 27 



state of atmosphere, they are to be seen ploughing the 

 ground with their noses, and recovering any particle of 

 scent which has not been dissipated. In the best of 

 days, when every nerve is strained to maintain the pace 

 at which I have seen them complete six miles in eighteen 

 minutes, they will be found first in the foremost flight. 

 When the whoo-whoop resounds, it is ten to one that 

 the hound first and fast locked in mortal gripe and struggle 

 with the prostrate victim, is one of these my favourites, 

 who are alike to be distinguished on all occasions, as 

 many a deep indenture upon their faces will prove, made 

 by the fangs of many an old dog fox, in memento of an 

 existence which, but for their relentless perseverance, 

 might have been for years prolonged, 



I have, at the present time, a bitch called Banefiil, 

 by Lord Segrave's Racer, out of his Barmaid, which I 

 hold quite invaluable, not only because she was pre- 

 sented to me by Mr. Berkley, and that I regard such a 

 present in proportion to the acquisition she has proved*^ ^ 

 but on account of the intrinsic worth which constitutes,' 

 amongst all my pets, the best claim to a favour, which is 

 nothing less than affection. Of all I ever saw, I should 

 select her, had I a wager depending upon killing a fox 

 with one single hound. Tq isj^e 'Iter swimming a r^^ at 

 the head of the pack, throwing /hei^^tongue at every 

 stroke, is, indeed, to use a quaint expression of BdxaS*s, 

 enough to make the dead leap from their gi^ves |i 



