BIPEDS AND QUADKUPEDS. 91 



and trouble than a savage succession of floggings ; 

 but I can only say, I would much rather my dog 

 should give a keeper or myself trouble, than the 

 keeper should give the dog the punishment such 

 men usually do. I have seen a good many dogs 

 and a good many keepers in my time, and this much 

 I am warranted in saying — I have seen numberless 

 sporting dogs very obedient to keepers, but scarcely 

 ever saw one evincing that cheerful attachment to 

 them that dogs usually do to other persons. And 

 now to coursing. 



Somerville describes coursers as " the mean, mur- 

 derous, coursing crew." Why he should designate 

 them as mean I cannot see ; murderous they certainly 

 are, so is the hunter, so is the shot ; for though 

 " Killing no Murder " makes a most laughable farce, 

 whether we style it murder or not ; if we kill, it 

 becomes a very serious tragedy to the party under" 

 going it. I suppose our poet held it unjustifiable 

 to kill a hare by any means but hunting her. I 

 have never been a coursing man, so am not likely 

 to speak partially of it or its effects ; but candour 



