HORSES AND HOUNDS. 73 



SO tliat we have here the fact of the fastest thorough-bred horse 

 of his day being taken from the hunting field to the course at 

 Newmarket ; and if such a horse was the only one to live with 

 the hounds to the end of the run, which is also related, it is a 

 pretty good proof that the speed of fox-hounds in those times 

 was not of that contemptible order, which our present fast men 

 are pleased to assign to them. This may be called an isolated 

 case, but I have good reason for believing, that amongst the first 

 riders of the past generation, thorough-bred horses were gene- 

 rally used, equal in speed, if not superior in stoutness, to those 

 of the present day ; and that there was no lack of thorough-bred 

 stock in this country during the past century, may be gathered 

 from the fact, that in the year 1777 there were no less than 

 eighty-nine stallions advertised. 



How is it, then, that we hear so much of these fast bursts, 

 day by day almost, with fox-hounds in the fast countries, of 

 which so little has been said or written in reference to packs of 

 the past generation ; simply because the system of fox-hunting 

 has been completely altered ; certainly, in this particular point, 

 not improved. We all allow and call this pursuit of the fox a 

 science ; neither is this a misnomer, when we take into considera- 

 tion the tact, talent, and knowledge which are requisite in a 

 huntsman, to carry him successfully through a long and arduous 

 chase ; but for a quick burst of fifteen or twenty minutes, going 

 away from a patch of gorse or small spinney, close at the fox's 

 brush, there is no science in this, it is a mere rattling gallop 

 at the tail of the hounds, which a well mounted stable-boy, who 

 can ride well, is as likely to see the end of, as the most clever 

 huntsman ; all that is here required is horsemanship, not head. 



In instituting a comparison between the speed of the past and 

 the present packs, there are several points to be considered, which 

 appear to have been altogether overlooked ; the system of hunting 

 is entirely altered ; the circumstances and condition of the animal 

 hunted is altered also, if not the animal himself The country 

 is in an improved state for scent, and the start is effected in all 

 these fast things from patches of gorse and small spinneys, in a 

 manner not recognised by the old school, and with an unfair 

 advantage over the fox. I could quote many passages from the 

 writings of INIarkham, who lived in the reigns of Elizabeth and 

 James, to show that speed with fox-hounds was no novelty even 

 in those times. One or two short extracts may suffice : — 



" The light or northern hound has a head more slender, with 

 a longer nose, ears and flews more shallow, back broad, belly 

 gaunt, joints long, tail small, and his general form more slender 

 and greyhound-like j but the virtues of these Yorkshire hounds 



