12 THE VINE HOUNDS. 



be rough and as it is termed sour about their muzzles 

 and chaps ; I saw them in the season of 1834, both in 

 the kennel and in the field, and was much struck with 

 their appearance and the excellence of their work ; 

 they were most remarkably steady from all descriptions 

 of riot, quick and yet patient, very determined and 

 altogether particularly calculated for the sort of country 

 they hunted, a cold, flinty, and cheerless tract with 

 immense woodlands. If young breeders of hounds 

 who reside in what are denominated the " slow" or 

 " provincial" countries, would encourage that style of 

 animal, instead of going to the most fashionable kennels 

 merely because they wish to have a pack resembling in 

 appearance those which hunt in the grass countries of 

 Leicestershire, or Rutlandshire, they would have a 

 much greater chance of possessing good as well as 

 handsome hounds. When I say that the Vine hounds 

 look rough in their faces, I beg to be understood that 

 I am not describing that rough, vulgar-looking animal, 

 so constantly seen in every village in Wales ; for 

 although the hard and ferocious character of the fox- 

 hound is stamped on them, a better-shaped, more 

 powerful, and truly sporting pack does not exist in 

 the world.* They are remarkably clear in their throats, 

 and strikingly level. Hounds bred in a high scenting 

 country, accustomed to be ridden over and pressed 

 upon every day they go out, become much wilder than 

 those which are left more to themselves ; and this 

 practice being continued from one generation to 

 another, engenders in them a second nature. When in 



* Mr. Muster's are chiefly descended from the Vine ; e. g. Dsdalus, Broker, 

 Lionel, Sec. 



