THE FOX. 215 



climate or to their food, or most probably to both. These animals 

 all emit the same offensive odour ; their colour varies occasionally 

 but a trifle ; whilst they have a common tone of voice, show the 

 same propensities, and exercise the same economy. Depend upon 

 it, there is only one species of fox in our country. 



Thus far have I introduced to the reader's notice this shy little 

 quadruped, in order to show his predatory inclinations ; which, 

 although destructive of the farmer's property to a certain extent, 

 may easily be forgiven on account of other qualities, shortly to be 

 exhibited. I had almost forgot to remark that the cubs of foxes are 

 blind for a while after their birth, like the whelps of dogs. The fox has 

 survived the bear, the boar, and the wolf in these realms. In fact, 

 he may now be styled the last remaining beast of prey amongst us. 

 Although possessing no amiability of disposition, nor of a nature to 

 mix in company with other animals such, for example, as the hare 

 and the deer, during the time that the sun is above the horizon 

 still the fox runs no risk of being exterminated so long as our rising 

 generation is fond of rural sports. We may say of it, what the 

 prince in days of old said of Jack Falstaff, we can " better spare a 

 better man." We can better tolerate the annual loss of game and 

 poultry, than send the perpetrator into everlasting exile. With occa- 

 sional reprimands from shepherds, farmers, and pheasant-fanciers, 

 I trust that Reynard will always be a cherished, valuable, and in- 

 teresting little fellow with English country gentlemen ; and that he 

 will ever command their patronage, and be the theme of convivial 

 conversation at the festive board for generations yet to come, when 

 the hand which is writing this shall hold the pen no longer. Yes 

 although it will inevitably be Reynard's fate to find protection to- 

 day, persecution to-morrow, now hated by henwives, now cursed 

 by gamekeepers his family will always manage to keep its ground j 

 unless more railways, tramroads, long chimneys, soaperies, and vitriol 

 works shall swarm through this province as lice formerly swarmed 

 through the land of Egypt. Then will our woods, which in many 

 parts already feel the dire effects of smoke, perish outright j and every 

 fox, with every fox's wife and cubs, will quit their earths for good 

 and all, and start in quest of other quarters. 



Here I take my leave of Reynard, so far as regards his life and 



