340 COURSING MEETINGS. 



instantaneously let loose, the distance can be 

 most accurately adhered to, and it is impossible 

 for either dog to have the advantage in starting, 

 except from accident. The extraordinary speed 

 of greyhounds, and the wonderful facility with 

 which the hare eludes them by doubling or turn- 

 ing, afford the greatest sport to the spectator : 

 killing the hare ought always to be a secondary 

 consideration, except, as Daniel remarks, with 

 those " who think no course worth seeing unless 

 there is a hare at the end of it." 



At a coursing meeting, properly conducted, 

 a person is appointed to hold the dogs in the 

 slip, and the company must keep behind him 

 until a hare is found ; the judge should be in a 

 situation to see the hounds leave the slip, and 

 the owners of them alone allowed to follow 

 them with him. The judge has to decide the 

 merits of the course according to the number of 

 points gained by each hound, as hereafter de- 

 scribed in the laws and rules. 



Notwithstanding the superiority of speed in 

 the greyhound, the hare frequently escapes after 

 a severe course ; the average number killed in 

 fair coursing does not perhaps exceed one in 

 three : those found on marshes and downs are 

 the stoutest runners. The following instances 



