THE FOXHOUND 677 



The horns have been since removed, and are now at 

 Julian's Bower, in the same county. 



THE FOXHOUND. 



The muzzle of the foxhound Is rather long, and his 

 head small in proportion to his body ; his ears long 

 and pendulous, though not so much so as those of the 

 bloodhound or staghound, and a little lower at the 

 shoulders, and more slender in his make. His limbs 

 are very straight, his feet round, and not too large ; 

 his chest is very deep, and breast wide ; his back 

 broad, his neck thin, with the shoulders lying well 

 back, and his tail thick and bushy, which he carries 

 high while in the chase. The ground-colour of his 

 whole skin is w^hite, variously patched with black and 

 tan in different parts of the body, as well as the head, 

 and generally with one at the root of his tail. 



No country in Europe can boast of foxhounds 

 equal in swiftness, strength, and agility to those of 

 Britain, where the utmost attention is paid to their 

 breeding, education, and food. The climate also 

 seems congenial to their nature ; for when taken 

 to France or Spain, and other southern countries 

 of Europe, they quickly degenerate, and lose all the 

 admirable qualities for which they are remarkable in 

 this country. 



"In thee alone, fair land of liberty, 

 Is bred the perfect hound, in scent and speed 

 As yet unrivall'd ; while in other climes 

 Their virtue fails — a weak, degenerate race." 



SOMF.RVILLE. 



The chief excellence of a pack of foxhounds is the 

 head they carry, taken collectively ; and on this and 

 the fineness of their noses depend their speed. Mr 

 Beckford says, " that hounds go, like the horses of the 



