FOX-HUNTING—THE FOX. 51 



and using opprobrious epithets concerning liim and his 

 doings. 



Thus Somerville, who, despite what has been said by Nimrod 

 as to his bestowing less pains on the chase of the fox than that 

 either of the stag or hare, has, I think, surpassed himself in his 

 third book, and who was born 1692, and died 1742, and wrote 

 the chase during the latter part of his life, says, — 



But yet, alas ! ihe wily fox remain'd, 



A subtle, pilf'ring foe, prowling around 



In midnight shades, and wakeful to destroy. 



In the full fold, the poor defenceless lamb, 



Seized by his guileful arts, with sweet, warm blood. 



Supplies the rich repast. 



Again,— 



For these nocturnal thieves, huntsman, prepare 

 Thy sharpest vengeance. Oh ! how glorious 'tis 

 To right the oppress' d, and bring the felon vile 

 To just disgrace ! 



Nay, he cannot even let him break covert without a sneer at 

 his honesty, — 



The conscious villain, see ! he skulks along. 



Slick at the shepherd's cost, and plump with meals 



Purloin' d. So thrive the wicked here below. 



It is very clear that, in the first part of the eighteenth century, 

 he had made but a small way towards the high position he now 

 holds ; yet Somerville must have been a keen fox-hunter, if his 

 verses do not belie him, and the chase which he describes is 

 such as many of us would like to see oftener than we do in the 

 present day. If a professed sportsman was thus hard on poor 

 Eeynard, it could not be expected that others, to whom the joys 

 of the chase were as vanity and vexation of spirit, would spare 

 him ; and we find Thomson at about the same date making 

 libellous charges against him as follows : — 



E 2 



