THE HOUND. <59 



THE SOUTHERN HOUND. 



WHETHER or not the HOUND be aboriginal in this Country, we possess no 

 means to ascertain ; but two facts seem to authorize such a probability, namely, 

 the very ancient records of the use of hounds, and the historical fact that British 

 Mastiffs were known, and in high estimation, among 1 the ancient Romans ; and 

 as the Britons possessed the Mastiff, it countenances the supposition that, they 

 possessed also the Hound, which makes his appearance in story, a few centuries 

 afterwards. The SOUTHERN HOUND was however imported very early by our 

 Hunters, perhaps earlier than the Southern Horse, in order to improve their packs. 

 He was of superior size, endowed with most acute and exquisite olfactory powers 

 beyond all other dogs, with unwearied patience in pursuit of his game, and 

 without being remarkable for speed, gifted with the utmost degree of continuance. 

 He had also a deep and musical tone of voice. The cross of this foreigner with 

 the English or Northern Hound, produced a variety of somewhat less size than the 

 former, diminished powers of nose, a more shrill cry and greater activity. It is 

 probable the true Talbot of former times, was the unmixed produce of the 

 Southern Hound, male and female, as the true Race Horse is that of Southern 

 parents. The old SLEUTH Hound also, no doubt derived his exquisite nose, size, and 

 perseverance from the same source. On him the sweet and harmonious Poet of 

 the Chase, thus divinely sings- 

 Soon the sagacious brute, curling his tail, 



Flourished in air, low bending, plies around 



His busy nose, the steaming vapour snuffs 



Inquisitive, nor leaves one turf untried, 



Till conscious of the recent stains, his heart 



Beats quick; his snuffling nose, his active tail 



Attest his joy : then with deep op'ning mouth 



That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims 



Th' audacious felon ; foot by foot, he marks 



His winding way, while all the list'ning crowd 



Applaud his reas'nings. O'er the wat'ry ford, 



Dry sandy heaths, and stony barren hills, 



O'er beaten paths, with men and beasts distained, 



Unerring he pursues ; till at the cot 



ArrivM, and seizing by his guilty throat 



The caitiff vile, redeems the captive prey j 



So exquisitely delicate his sense ! 



