MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 9 



sure, with the most ardent glee, to make one of 

 the number in the hunting parties which frequently 

 took place at that time ; whether it might be in the 

 chase of the fox or the hare, or in tracing the 

 foumart in the snow, or hunting the badger at 

 midnight. The pursuing, baiting, or killing, these 

 animals, never at that time struck me as being 

 cruel. The mind had not as yet been impressed 

 with the feelings of humanity. This, however, 

 came upon me at last; and the first time I felt the 

 change happened by my having (in hunting) caught 

 the hare in my arms, while surrounded by the dogs 

 and the hunters, when the poor, terrified creature 

 screamed out so piteously, like a child, that I 

 would have given anything to have saved its life. 

 In this, however, I was prevented; for a farmer 

 well known to me, who stood close by, pressed 

 upon me, and desired I would " give her to him ;" 

 and, from his being better able (as I thought) to 

 save its life, I complied with his wish. This was 

 no sooner done than he proposed to those about 

 him, "to have a bit more sport with her," and this 

 was to be done by first breaking one of its legs, and 

 then again setting the poor animal off a little before 

 the dogs. I wandered away to a little distance, 

 oppressed by my own feelings, and could not join 

 the crew again, but learned with pleasure that their 

 intended victim had made its escape. 



The "musical din 3 ' of the hounds still continued 

 to have its charms, and I still continued to follow 

 them; but, from that day forward, I have ever 

 wished that this poor, persecuted, innocent creature 

 might escape with its life. The worrying of foxes, 

 the baiting of foumarts, otters, badgers, &c., did 

 not awaken in me similar feelings ; for in the fierce 



