FOX-HUNTING. 85 



ing, I can answer for it, they afford. There are open plough 

 lands, with easy fences and large fields, that hounds can race 

 across, such as the wolds of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire ; deep 

 countries, with banks and ditches, for those who like plenty of 

 jumping, of not too severe a character ; and, lastly, the shires for 

 men who have deep pockets, large studs, and plenty of nerve, 

 or who hunt for show and fashion sake. There is also a geni- 

 ality about fox-hunting that to me seems wanting in almost 

 every other kind of chase. It is so cosmopolitan, and every 

 one, as long as he behaves like a gentleman and sportsman, 

 is welcome. As a rule, with harriers, there is a certain set 

 in the field all known to each other, and a stranger going 

 out, although he is sure to be treated courteously, often feels 

 himself, as it were, one alone in the midst of a family party. 

 That perhaps arises in a great measure from the different nature 

 of the pursuit ; but in fox-hunting it is not so, especially in the 

 better countries. There is a cheerfulness and dash about the whole 

 thing that disposes every one to be jolly and sociable ; and a 

 stranger, especially if he goes pretty w^ell, soon finds himself at 

 ease with those around him, and it is not many times that he 

 will have a solitary and cheerless ride to covert or home again. 

 There must be no pottering with the fox-hound, more than with 

 the pointer ; 'tis the dash of the fox-hound, as Beckford said, 

 that distinguishes him, and this spirit seems to be infused into 

 all those that follow him. I should say it is no more possible 

 for a really melancholy man to be fond of fox-hunting than for 

 a miser to be generous. I never remember to have seen more 

 than one, who may be really termed a hunting man, who ever 

 looked melancholy ; and dull indeed must he be who does 

 not cheer up at the sight of a meet of fox-hounds. Truly has 

 Somerville described it, when he says, — 



Delightful scene. 

 Where all around is gay — men, horses, dogs — 

 And in each smiling countenance appears 

 Fresh-blooming health, and universal joy. 



