FOXHOUND. 57 



well as the colour of hounds most sportsmen have their prej udices ; 

 but in their shape, at least, I think they must all agree. I know 

 sportsmen who boldly affirm that a small hound will oftentimes 

 beat a larg-e one ; that he will climb hills better, and go through 

 cover quicker ; whilst others are not less ready to assert that a 

 large hound will make his way in any countr}'-, will get better 

 throuQfh the dirt than a small one, and that no fence, however 

 high, can stop him. You have now their opinions : and I advise 

 you to adopt that which suits your country best. There is, how- 

 ever, a certain size best adapted for business, which I take to be 

 that between the two extremes, and I will venture to sav that such 

 hounds will not suffer themselves to be disgraced in any country. 

 Somerville I find is of the same opinion : 



' But here a mean 

 Observe, nor the large hound prefer, of size 

 Gigantic ; he, in the thick-woven covert, 

 Painfully tugs, or in tlie thorny brake. 

 Torn and embarrass'd, bleeds : but, if too small, 

 The pigmy brood in every furrow swims ; 

 Moil'd in the clogging clay, panting, they lag 

 Behind inglorious ; or else shivering creep, 

 Benumb'd and faint, beneath the sheltering thorn. 

 Foxhounds of middle size, active and strong, 

 Will better answer all thy various ends, 

 And crown thy pleasing labours with success.' 



I perfectly agree with you that to look well they should be all 

 nearly of a size ; and I even think that they should all look of the 

 same familv, 



