128 N ATI-RACIST'S CABINET. 



Ancient value of greyhound*. 



THE GREYHOUND. 



" THE greyhound," says an elegant writer, 

 " is of a beautiful and delicate formation for 

 speed and majestic attraction ; and if a metapho- 

 rical allusion may be made between the human 

 and the brute creation, the allegory would not 

 be too far extended in considering this animal, 

 from his appearance, equanimity, mildness, and 

 affability, one of the superior classes of his o\\ n 

 society ; as he possesses all the dignity without 

 the degradation of any part of his species, and is 

 never seen but with a predilection in his favour.'"' 

 It has also been observed, that in ancient times 

 the greyhound was considered as a very valuable 

 present, and particularly by the ladies, to whom 

 a compliment so intrinsically valuable was highly 

 acceptable. 



In our own island, during the reign of king 

 John, greyhounds were frequently received by 

 him as payment in lieu of money, for the re- 

 nevval of grants, fines, and forfeitures, belonging 

 to the crown; the following extracts prove this 

 monarch to have been exceedingly partial to this 

 kind of dogs. A fine paid A. D. 1203, mentions 

 five hundred marks, ten horses, and ten leashes 

 of greyhounds; another, in 1210, one swift run- 

 ning horse, and six greyhounds. 



In ancient times three several animals were 

 coursed with greyhounds, the deer, the fox, and 



