FRANCE 113 



In all France we have only one regularly worked pack of fox- 

 hounds, and that is at Pau, in that wonderful country in which, in 

 the spring- sunshine, all the foxhunters of Europe seem 



to meet up, the pick of both French and foreii^n ^ _ 



^ ^ * at Pau. 



sportsmen. The horizon is bounded by the highest 

 snow-capped peaks of the Pyrenees, and a splendid sight presents 

 itself on all sides to the galloping horsemen as they cover the soft 

 and springy ground. Pau, then, is the only district in France in 

 which it is possible for the lover of foxhunting to indulge in his 

 favourite sport. Experiments made in other parts of the country 

 have not proved successful, for the sport requires a particular kind 

 of country, open and intersected by obstacles, and not far from a 

 town, and these conditions combine only in the neighbourhood 

 of Pau. 



As was said above, it is fair not to labour under any error in 

 respect of the faculties of the English hunting man, and mention 

 was made of the staghounds of Somerset. I have, let me hasten 

 to add, seen in other counties packs of beagles and harriers, worked 

 in the perfection of hunting science and regularly hunting the hare. 



I have also watched packs of otter hounds after otters. Contrary 

 to the belief prevalent in continental countries, the English are very 

 good hunting men, particularly when there is any call for coolness or 

 for special knowledge of the habits and tricks of the quarry. It is 

 true that French venery is of greater antiquity, but it will not do to 

 forget that it is to crossing with the pure English foxhound that we 

 owe our wonderful establishments of bdtards, and that it is also owing 

 to this crossinor that huntinof has been brouoht within the reach of 



