PUBLIC COURSING 137 



tells us that, ' intent on obtaining as nnich perfection 

 in the breed as possible, he introduced every experi- 

 mental cross, from the English lurcher to the Italian 

 greyhound. He it was that first thought of the cross 

 with the English bulldog, in which he persevered in 

 opposition to every opinion, until, after breeding on 

 for seven removes, he found himself in possession of 

 the best greyhounds ever known up to that time ; and 

 lie considered that this cross produced the sniali ear, 

 the rat tail, the fine, thin, silky coat, together with that 

 quiet, innate courage which the high-bred greyhound 

 should possess — preferring death to relinquishing the 

 chase.' The above remarks bear out my theory that 

 when public coursing was first established good hares 

 were more than a match for the average greyhound, 

 and even in my experience I have seen fair public 

 runners completely outpaced on many occasions. 



However, Lord Orford set the example as regards 

 breeding for pace. But it would seem that there is a 

 limit even to the pace of a greyhound ; and proof 

 thereof is to be found in the fact that if the weather 

 is favourable to the hare — and it may be mentioned 

 here that the hare suffers terribly in bad weather— the 

 best of the species can set the best greyhounds at 

 defiance, and run them to a standstill if the country 

 be an open one, or escape to covert, provided there be 



