HARE-IIUNTING. 289 



ensure perfection of w«?port ; hence he requires a man to hunt 

 him who combines quickness with judgment, and has a certain 

 amount of dash, and a hound that will of himself fling and try- 

 forward when off the line, instead of pottering to regain it at the 

 same place. Both one and the other are totally out of place in 

 hunting the hare ; the man cannot be too quiet, as Beckford 

 said, a cross of the silent gentleman with the family of a good 

 huntsman would be about the thing if you wanted to breed 

 one, and the hound should hunt in a closer style, and with less 

 dash than the fox-hound. True, I would not have them potter 

 and tie on the scent ; but there is the just medium between the 

 two, which must be seen to be appreciated, as it cannot be 

 described on paper. When once seen, it will never be forgotten. 

 That is the true style for a harrier, whether he is large or 

 small. I have seen dwarf fox-hounds very perfect, and, when 

 left entirely alone, they Avill come nearly to this style, although 

 there is always a difference to my mind, where there is a harrier 

 cross, but the slightest indiscretion on the part of huntsman or 

 field, and you see them as wild as hawks ; they get their heads 

 up, and are ready for any mischief in a moment ; then you may 

 hunt the hare yourself, as soon as she begins to make work, for 

 all they care. Very tenderly handled, and judiciously used, 

 they are not to be always objected to on wild, open downs, 

 "^vhere hares run strong and straight ; but even there I think 

 the true harrier, well selected for size and strength, will show 

 more sport, and, in the long run, kill more hares. I remember 

 once a friend of mine was driving along a road near which a 

 pack of harriers was at v/ork, and, being very fond of hunting, 

 he pulled up to watch them. The hare, nearly beaten, came 

 down a long turnip-field to within ten yards of where he was, 

 turned, and ran her foil half way up the field again : sat and 

 listened a moment, then, with a tremendous bound, threw her- 

 self sideways from the track, and lay close. " Well, pussy," he 

 said to himself, " now I shall see a bit of hunting, and, if they 

 cannot find out your move for themselves, I will never tell.'* 



