92 BIPEDS AND QUADRUPEDS. 



must induce me to say, that so far from meriting the 

 stigma of murderous, I really must think, as a sport, 

 it involves less suffering to animals than any other I 

 have ever joined in. As regards the hare, I should 

 say that, in ordinary countries and situations, as 

 many hares beat greyhounds as harriers ; it is true 

 the former is beyond all comparison the fleetest 

 animal, but then he has only one sense to trust to 

 sight ; out of sight the hare is as safe as if a hundred 

 miles from the dog, so the want of nose is to be set 

 against his superior speed. It is true, with him, 

 five minutes or less settles the business — the hare 

 is killed or escapes ; if, therefore, murder or killing 

 of any sort is to be done, " 'twere well 'twere 

 done quickly." Now, as regards the animals used 

 in coursing : I conceive that there is no description 

 of sporting dog subject to so little correction as the 

 greyhound ; he is not one of much sagacity, and, 

 fortunately for him, little of it is required in his use ; 

 he has a strong spice of cunning about him, and 

 when this is shewn to any extent he becomes worth- 

 less, unless it be to catch a hare for the table ; and, 



