212 REMINISCENCES OF A HUNTSMAN. 



and showed a considerable degree of uneasiness in the 

 presence of Johnson's Dictionary ; but at last, after 

 many throes, we were all delighted and enlightened 

 by the ink coming out in two volumes, on Coursing, 

 under Mr. Goodlake's hand ! 



In spite of the information contained in those eru- 

 dite books, if I am to govern my opinion by the 

 conduct of judges of the field, there is a considerable 

 deal yet more to be learned in the decision on courses. 

 Thus, Avhen two greyhounds are running a match, 

 the one being much faster than the other, and the fast 

 one leading and holding the hare in check, it is not a 

 " go-by," in the approved acceptation of that term, 

 if the hindmost dog passes the other like a shot and 

 turns the hare. For this reason, — the greyhound that 

 had been leading had the hare in check, neither going 

 at the top of their speed, because the hare was ga- 

 thered up to turn at the expected lunge of the leading 

 dog, and the dog finding she was about to turn was 

 also to a certain extent on its haunches expecting it, 

 therefore these two being in that position, a sheep dog, 

 had he joined in the run, might have passed the leading 

 greyhound and turned the hare. I have seen uncom- 

 monly bad judges under the above circumstances count 

 this as a go-by and a turn, and use it so in their decision. 

 The lookers-on often cry out at it as a go-by, but not 

 being close to the dogs their ignorance may be par- 

 doned. There is with the existing judges and juries 

 a glorious uncertainty in coursing as in the law, 

 equally encouraging to the proprietor of a bad cause 

 or a bad greyhound ; and I am quite sure that very 

 many courses have been given to me to which I was 

 in no way entitled, and an equal number assigned 

 against me which I had decidedly won ; and it is that 

 fact that has ever rendered me of the opinion that a 



