402 



HUNTING. 



render their position for sleep and rest more agree- 

 able to them. 



■'.»i"v,'iH""ii i*,' ii i . f 



The system of fox-hunting has been much 

 changed since that sport commenced. Almost all 

 foxes were once found by the drag, and the first 

 challenge was loudly cheered in days when the 

 game was scarce. A long drag, however, although 

 a great test of nose^ is by no means desirable, as, if 

 it happens to be down wind, the fox takes the hint, 

 and is off long before the hounds can hunt up to his 

 kennel. It was nevertheless a fine feature in the 

 sport, as the gradual increase of cry, the cheering 

 holloos of the sportsmen, and the crash when the 

 fox was unkennelled, contributed greatly to ennoble 

 the scene, and created, as it were, two climaxes in 

 a chase, when it ended in blood. But another dis- 

 advantage attended it. Hounds could not be de- 



