FOX-HUNTING — THE FOX. 61 



went tlirongli the window of the housekeeper's room, where ho 

 was killed, Mr. Tailby having succeeded in stopping the body 

 of the pack, or the scene of confusion would have been worse 

 than it was. The time of this run was one hour and ten 

 minutes without a check, and the farthest points, as the crow 

 flies, nine miles. Of course, as hounds ran, the distance was 

 much greater." 



Having now touched on most other points concerning foxes, 

 I must say a few words as to their destructiveness amongst 

 game and poultry. Here I much fear that he cannot be 

 wholly acquitted of having the habits of kleptomania, though 

 the immense good he does in killing vermin must be offered as 

 an offset against it, for it is well known that a principal item in 

 his menu is the field-mouse ; he is also an enemy to rats, 

 beetles, and various other things which it is much to the 

 farmers' interest should be kept down. If we may believe 

 gamekeepers and hen-wives, he has a most voracious appetite ; 

 but, as a rule, their stories must be taken with considerable 

 reservation. I had always been incredulous as to his taking 

 lambs, and feel pretty well certain that in the South of Eng- 

 land, where I passed my early days, that he never indulges in 

 such delicacies ; but, as a hunting farmer, one very fond of the 

 sport, told me not long ago in Northamptonshire, that he really 

 had lost lambs by foxes, I suppose that there either they are of 

 a more voracious kind, or the long-woolled sheep, which prevail 

 in the grass countries, are not so energetic in the defence of 

 their young as the Hampshire Downs, who, I am sure, would 

 give any fox that invaded their precincts a very warm reception. 



One of the most amusing accounts I ever heard of — a bill 

 being sent in for damage done by foxes — was told me by Henry 

 Sebright, huntsman to Mr. Luttrell, of Dunster Castle. He 

 said the Duke of Cleveland, where he was whip, came to the 

 meet laughing one morning, and told a friend he should save a 

 hundred a year. On being asked how, he replied, " By ignoring 

 all poultry bills. I have just had one in for a sow and litter 



