76 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE DOR. 



there is a representation given of a pack of these dogs, from 

 which Mr. Jesse, (Anecdotes of Dogs, p. 305,) not being suf- 

 ficiently acquainted with the subject to distinguish the stag- 

 hound from the foxhound, takes occasion to argue that the latter 

 dog is identical with the eastern hound, and consequently of 

 very ancient, instead of, as he actually is, of comparatively 

 modern origin. It is from this dog that the red hounds of the 

 continent, used, in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, for 

 hunting the wolf and boar, sprung; they had been brought 

 thither from Palestine by St. Louis, in the thirteenth centu- 

 ry : their principal characteristics were speed, bottom, and 

 high courage ; in general aspect they seem to have resembled 

 our bloodhounds, but were rather lighter, and more like the 

 staghound. 



THE FOXHOUND 



Appears to have been produced from the staghound by a 

 cross of greyhound, and probably also of a terrier. He is less 

 in size than the staghound ; has smaller and less hound-like 

 ears, which are also usually rounded off when young. The 

 foxhound was unknown to us until within the last two hundred 

 years.* 



He is a bold, dashing hound, up to all sorts of sport, and 

 having " more of the devil" in his composition than any of his 

 congeners. He is now found so useful that he is made to su- 

 persede all other hounds, and is bred to size, &c., according 

 to the sport for which he may be required. Fox-hunting is 

 no longer hunting it is nothing but steeple-chasing ; and I 

 cannot dwell upon it with any pleasure, when I reflect on the 

 barbarities which spring from it, as it is now followed. 



THE HARRIER. 



This was a smaller hound than the preceding, exhibiting 

 an appearance of higher breeding, and resembling a minia- 

 ture of the old talbot. Its height averaged about eighteen 

 inches ; it was remarkable for possessing a delightful 

 melody of voice, and for the leisurely and methodic manner 

 in which it pursued its game. Hare-hunting was, when 



* In the account of Queen Elizabeth's hunting establishment, no men- 

 tion is made of the foxhound ; and the first mention of him of which we 

 read, is rather within the above period than beyond it. 



