32 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



ordinary to imagine, that if the nose of a foxhound 

 Avere capable of improvement, it would be by no means 

 so well effected as by a cross with the bloodhound— 

 generally 'allowed to possess the faculty or sense of smell 

 in a degree of pre-eminence beyond its species ; and, to 

 the best of my belief, this notion received not only the 

 full approbation and sanction of Mr. Sebright, but also 

 of his father, Sir John, from whose acknowledged dis- 

 cernment and information upon the breeding of animals 

 he inherits his knowledge. I cannot pretend to say 

 whether it was intended to persevere in this cross, 

 thouo-h I have reason to doubt whether the trial of two 

 seasons, in which this "Wisdom accompanied the pack, 

 afforded room for satisfaction. I have myself observed 

 her at work, and believe that she had as good a nose as 

 might have been expected ; but I do not think that any of 

 her admirers, or the warmest advocate for change, would 

 go so far as to say that she in any one point surpassed, 

 admitting that she ever equalled, the performances of 

 those rejoicing in the pure blood of old Bobadil or 

 Cerberus, out of Sprightly or Verity. I did not, at that 

 time, hunt often enough in Herts to speak from per- 

 sonal observation, but find, upon inquiry, that she 

 showed the greatest disposition to act independently, or 

 otherwise became what w^e should term a rank skirter ; 

 but it may not be fair to urge this against one solitary 

 specimen of a fancy, which, for aught I know, may 

 still be upheld by wiser heads than mine. All I mean 

 to say is this, that nothing that I have seen or heard 



