THE KENNEL 667 



greyhound from running false or cunning ; that is, 

 in place of following close after the hare, and captur- 

 ing it by superior speed, to endeavour to cut off its 

 retreat, by making towards a vacant space in a wall 

 or hole, through which hares are in the habit of 

 escaping. It is a propensity which greyhounds are 

 apt to indulge in when they have run frequently 

 over the same ground ; and as soon as they take 

 to it, their previous excellence, let it have been ever 

 so great, becomes a dead letter, as they are no longer 

 to be depended on in running matches. 



THE KENNEL. 



We cannot do better than give Mr Beckford's 

 directions respecting the management of the kennel, 

 who was one of the most experienced sportsmen of 

 his day. 



*' Cleanliness is not only absolutely necessary to 

 the nose of the hound, but also to the preservation 

 of his health. Dogs are naturally clean animals ; 

 they seldom, when they can help it, dung where 

 they lie ; air and fresh straw are necessary to keep 

 them healthy. They are subject to the mange, a 

 disorder to which poverty and nastiness do very 

 much contribute. This, though easily stopped at 

 its first appearance, \i suffered to continue long, 

 greatly lessens the power of the animal ; and the 

 remedies which must then be used, being in them- 

 selves violent, often injure his constitution : it had 

 better be prevented. Let the kennel, therefore, be 

 your particular care. 



' Upon some little eminence erect, 

 And fronting to the ruddy dawn ; its courts 

 On either hand wide op'ning, to receive 

 The sun's all-cheering beams, when mild he shines, 

 And gilds the mountain tops,' 



