296 COVERT-SIDE SKETCHES. 



descent in its appellation of the jVIancliester or Lancashire 

 liound ; but it has been long neglected by carelessness or 

 design. The characteristic bulk of the hound has been 

 gradually diminishing for some time, and this old and valuable 

 breed is gradually dwindling away into little more than a larger 

 generation of common harriers." 



In this I quite agree with Whittaker, thinking that this 

 hound is entirely distinct from the St. Hubert, or bloodhounu, 

 which I take to be an imported breed. And no one who has 

 ever heard the bell-like notes of Southern hounds — and they aie 

 still to be heard in one or two places — will at once be struck by 

 the difference there is between them and the deep roar of a 

 pack of bloodhounds. That these hounds were used by the 

 Celts and Saxons for large game there is no doubt ; and pro- 

 bably they were much more powerful than anything to be seen 

 now, while their slow pace and fine voices, which by any one 

 keeping down wind can be heard for miles, would be an immense 

 advantage to those following the chase on foot, as our Saxon 

 ancestors we know did. That the English hound was early 

 valued we learn from Gratius, writing in the time of Augustus, 

 who says, — 



But can you waft across the British tide. 



The laud undanger'd on the further side; 



O ! what great gain will certainly redound 



From a free traffic in the British hound ! 



Mind not the badness of their form or face 



That the sole blemish of the generous race, 



When the bold game turns back upon the spear. 



And all the furies wait upon the war. 



First in the tight the whelps of Britain shine. 



And snatch, Epirus, all the palm from thine. 



Claudian also says, — 



The British hound 

 That brings the biill's big forehead to the ground. ^ 



1 No doubt many will contend that these quotations refer to mastitis. 



