THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 21 



muscle ; but I have never lost sight of the recorded 

 opinion of the father of the science, Mr. Meynell, — that 

 the height of a hound had nothing to do with his size. 

 The breed of some veteran professors might, perhaps, 

 do for some countries, but defend us from lumber in 

 any shape.'''' We have, near us, a fine sample of a 

 large pack, where a larger hound is absolutely required, 

 in the strong country, and almost impenetrable coverts, 

 encountered by that good sportsman, Mr. Barnett ; but 

 he is unremitting in his attention to shoulders, and that 

 clean mould of limb which unites activity with pov.'ev. 

 I was forcibly struck by the justice of a remark which 

 he made to me one day ]ast winter, when w^e were dis- 

 cussing the merits of different packs within our imme- 

 diate notice, and the importance attached, in the pre- 

 sent flying, railroadian era, to the pace of hounds. 

 " Few people," said he, " consider sufHciently the dif- 

 ference between a fast hound and a ciuich hound." I 

 was delighted with a remark so entirely coinciding with 

 my own long-cherished opinion, for I have ever held 

 that a hound may be able to fly, that is, may be pos- 

 sessed of physical ability to run like a greyhound, and 

 yet prove a slow brute in chase ; but give me a quick 



* There can be no use in glossing over fact— I may be setting up com- 

 paratively new, in opposition to old and well-received opinions, but it is, 

 nevertheless, a fact beyond dispute, that wherever the heavy breed of 

 throaty hound has been/air/y tried, it has been found wanting ; wanting, 

 not in the pottering power of holding on the line, or rather of reiterating 

 what has been proclaimed and allowed long before, but wanting in speed, 

 terribly deficient in stoutness, and by no means superior in fineness of 

 nose. Of all this, I might offer high proof, but not without allusions 

 savouring of personality. 



