SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING. 275 



by day, when lie generally accompanied the children 

 and their nurse walking. After the hunting season, 

 we left home for a few days at the end of April, to 

 see the Royal Stag-hounds in the New Forest, 

 having given particular orders to the feeder to see 

 that the dog was supplied with fresh water every 

 day, the weather being sultry. Our horror may be 

 imagined when, on our return home, we were told 

 that the dog had gone mad, and had, it was supposed, 

 bitten several of the hounds and terriers running 

 about the premises. The account given us was, 

 that he had not been let loose to take his usual 

 walk for three or four days following, and that when 

 he was unchained by the boy, he jumped about him 

 as usual, although it was noticed by the nurse that 

 his mouth was covered with foam. Upon the child 

 pushing him away, he ran straight for a pond, dashed 

 into it, and then ran round by the green-yard, 

 where the young hounds were lying about, and was 

 seen by the feeder snapping at them through the 

 palings. These things being reported to our better 

 half, orders were immediately issued to have the dog 

 placed in a secure outhouse, and there kept till our 

 return. The third night, however, he died raving 

 mad, having torn everything to pieces within his 

 reach. Most providentially no injury had been 

 done to the children, and for the coming trial with 

 the hounds we were now fully prepared. 



The immediate cause of this dog^s madness never 

 could be ascertained. Servants will not tell tales of 

 each other, but we received a hint from one, that 

 during two days, very warm and sultry, the feeder 



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