THE FOX 275 



in cover, and runs rings in it for half an hour or 

 more. This is no proof of his being a bad one, 

 but often the reverse ; for by this time the ground 

 gets stained where the hounds have been over it 

 once or twice, and the pack do not continue to 

 press him as at first, and he gets time to hghten 

 himself; and then, being fit to go, he takes the 

 open country and rarely is beaten, but has given 

 those gentlemen's horses sufficient work for the 

 next week, who abused him in the morning. 

 Neither is it a proof of a fox being a bad one, his 

 going to ground shortly after being found. It is 

 the greatest proof of his sagacity, especially on a 

 good scenting day. This is acquired by age and 

 experience, which the following account with the 

 Avriter's hounds may prove. The meeting was near 

 a fashionable town, and it being the day after a gay 

 fancy ball in that part, a large field were present, 

 when to the dehght of all a fox was found, which, 

 after a ring or two in the adjoining covers with a 

 capital scent, went to a by -earth, to the great 

 annoyance of every one, more particularly of the 

 writer ; and no small share of rating got the earth- 

 stopper, who declared that he had put to, that is, 

 merely thrust some sticks into it, which was not a 

 regular earth. The hounds laid at it, and were bay- 



