MUSIC AND PACE. 35 



altlioiTgli of not mucli interest to fox-hunters of 

 this date, may probably afford some amusement, if 

 not instruction, to masters of harriers, who may 

 be particular as to the harmony of their pack, al- 

 though all decent appearances must have been sa- 

 crificed to melody, still a very favourite name with 

 thistle- whippers. Notwithstanding this attention 

 to the music of the pack, it is very evident from 

 the following observations of Gervase Markham, 

 that he was as much a stickler for pace, as some of 

 our present fast school of fox-hunters. 



" Albeit the labour be for the time most violent, 

 but it is not of so long continuance as that which 

 is more slow, and to run twelve score swiftly is 

 not so painful as to walk twenty miles ; for you 

 must understand that these swift hounds, out of 

 their metall and swiftness, do soone overshoot and 

 run beyond the sent, and then retiring back upon 

 it againe, give the horse time to ease himself, and 

 catch new breath, whereas the slower dogges carry- 

 ing the sent ever before them, keep your horse in 

 a continuall labour, which is more paineful, and 

 makes him a tough enduring lackey, l)ut not a 

 most swift running gentleman ; ])esides, the many 

 faults and casting about of the swift dogges adde 

 such a comfort unto the horse, who perceiveth the 

 streno'th of his labour to have no ease till he come 



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