THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 35 



descended from old Trojan. Avoid flat sides, short 

 necks, and throaty jolt-headed hounds. The proverb, 

 *' handsome is that handsome does," may be generally 

 applied, not in the sense in which it is used, but literally, 

 to foxhounds. On looking over a pack, if you are 

 struck with the beauty of any one distinguishable particu- 

 larly for his intelligent countenance, his swan-like neck, 

 his fine shoulders, his well-connected frame, compact, 

 not short, lengthy rather than otherwise, well-rounded 

 loins, with muscular thighs, and sinewy hocks, with a 

 depth of rib and forehand from his withers to his brisket, 

 and proportionate breadth of chest, standing upon bony 

 legs, quite straight, and firmly planted upon perfect feet 

 and ankles, and you inquire his name and pedigree, you 

 w ill find, in nine cases out of ten, that he has a character 

 according with the praise you cannot withhold from his 

 form. I say, therefore, ever avoid a throaty bull- 

 necked hound, unless you have sufficient reason to give 

 him credit for qualities atoning for external defects, 

 which, as the exception to general rule, will occasionally 

 be found. Reject a flat, open, splay foot, at once ; he 

 may distinguish himself in gi^ass countries, but will not 

 go with you till Christmas. Get them as nearly level as 

 you can : you will find that you are not only thus spared 

 the eye-sore of some towering above others, and that 

 unsizeable appearance which may be compared to that 

 of a flock of sheep and lambs, but you will find that 



