HUNTING DIRECTORY. 30^ 



Unjust Accusations against the Fox. 



The MiscJiievous Propensities of the Fox. — A great 

 outcry is frequently raised against the fox by surly, ill- 

 tempered farmers, and silly, chattering, old women, and 

 many depredations are laid to the charge of renard of 

 which he is most perfectly innocent. — In order to silence 

 the discontent and clamour of these growlers, it was the 

 custom, in some hunts, to pay for damages which were 

 laid to the fox's charge. Lord Anson (if my informa- 

 tion be correct) was, a few years ago, very liberal in this 

 respect, and, I make no doubt, sustained many imposi- 

 tions in consequence ; and those masters of fox hounds 

 who pursue the same system (if there are any) may rest 

 assured that they will constantly be subjected to the 

 most unjust demands. That foxes will sometimes make 

 free with geese and poultry, is a matter which admits of 

 no sort of doubt ; but whenever depredations of this sort 

 are committed, it is entirely owing to the insecure situa- 

 tions in which the birds are suffered to remain during 

 the night ; since, if they are properly attended to, they 

 will be placed beyond the reach of the fox. At the 

 same time, it may very justly be remarked, that a fox 

 will not approach a human habitation for the purpose of 

 plunder, unless constrained by hunger : as, although he 

 is by no means deficient in courage, will fight to the last 

 gasp, and die without complaining — yet there is scarcely 

 a shyer animal in nature. The fox will feed upon great 

 variety — he will eat worms, when greater dainties are 

 not to be had ; he will eagerly seek and devour field 

 mice and rats, nor can any terrier in existence be a more 

 expert rat catcher than a fox. He is fond of fish, which 

 he contrives to catch, particularly eels ; and what is 



