200 FOX-HUNTING 



pack of foxhounds ; but when foxes are strong 

 they have not the method of getting on with 

 the scent which foxhounds have, and generally 

 tire themselves before the fox. To kill foxes 

 when they are strong, hounds must run as well 

 as hunt : besides, catching a fox by hard running 

 is always preferred in the opinion of a fox- 

 hunter.' Then he goes on to say that he con- 

 siders fox-hunting ought to be a ' lively, animated, 

 and eager pursuit ' ; and again, that ' eagerness 

 and impetuosity are such essential parts of this 

 diversion, that I am never more surprised than 

 when I see a fox-hunter without them.' There 

 are many other passages which I could quote, but 

 every one who is interested in hunting should 

 himself read the book. Beckford no doubt 

 chronicled his own opinions and ideas, but they 

 must have been shared by other well-known 

 authorities of the period ; so that when we refer 

 to the hare-hunting style as the method of 

 hunting a fox in ancient days, we are making 

 a mistake and casting a slur on our ancestors. 



As I have said, with a failing scent and a fox 

 only ' half-beat/ a huntsman must exercise all his 

 science and skill to achieve the desired end. He 



