58 DOMESTICATED HUNTING-DOGS. 



complete success. In breeding cattle and sheep, one man has, in 

 more than one instance, during his single life, effected a complete 

 revolution in the animal he was engaged in improving; and there- 

 fore, when a number of gentlemen combine for one purpose, and 

 spare neither time, money, nor trouble, we ought to expect the 

 iii.fiUinent of their wishes. In no department of rural sports has 

 so much been written as on fox-hunting, and this not only of late 

 years, but for the last three centuries, during which Markhain, 

 Somerville, and Beckford may be instanced as examples of truth- 

 ful as well as clever writing on the subject. Beckford, who wrote 

 in the latter part of the last century, his first letter being dated 

 1779, is, however, the father of the modern school, and, with 

 slight exceptions, the hound described by him is still that selected 

 by our best masters, though perhaps they carry out his principles 

 to a greater extent than he ever expected they would go. Much 

 has been written, it is true, since his time, but I am not aware that 

 any one has deviated from his description without doing wrong, 

 and therefore, as I like to give credit where credit is due, I shall 

 extract his description entire, as contained hi his third letter to his 

 friend. 



"You desire to know what kind of hound I would recommend. 

 As you mention not for any particular chase or country, I under- 

 stand you generally ; and shall answer that I most approve of 

 hounds of the middle size. I believe all animals of that description 

 are strongest, and best able to endure fatigue. In the hight as 

 well as the color of hounds, most sportsmen have their prejudices ; 

 but in their shape, at least, I think they must all agree. I know 

 sportsmen who boldly affirm that a small hound will oftentimes 

 beat a large one ; that he will climb hills better, and go through 

 cover quicker ; whilst others are not less ready to assert that a 

 large hound will make his way in any country, will get better 

 through the dirt than a small one, and that no fence, however high, 

 can stop him. You have now their opinions : and I advise you to 

 adopt that which suits your country best. There is, however, a 

 certain size best adapted for business, which I take to be that be- 

 tween the two extremes, and I will venture to say that such hounds 



