INTRODUCTION 7 



tively few men really appreciate the niceties of the' sport, and 

 many persons have no ideas beyond a vague belief that two 

 greyhounds run after a hare, one kills her — if she does not get 

 away — and wins in consequence. This is, of course, by no 

 means the case. Very often the dog that actually kills loses, 

 the winner being the one that 'does most towards killing the 

 hare ; ' it has even been estimated by some devotees of the 

 sport that as often as nine times out of ten the worse of the 

 two dogs kills. 



Judging a course is, therefore, a somewhat elaborate busi- 

 ness, requiring special knowledge and aptitude, the keenest 

 eyes and quickest observation, on the part of the official who 

 undertakes the duty. He js guided by Rules set down by the 

 National Coursing Club ; but, for the better appreciation of the 

 sport by those who are altogether unacquainted with the sub- 

 ject, it, may here be briefly said that the points of the course 

 are six in number, and include ' speed,' the ' go-by,' the ' turn,' 

 the ' wrench,' the 'kill,' and the ' trip.' For a full explanation 

 of these terms the reader is referred to the aforesaid Rules, 

 which are quoted in an Appendix to this portion of the 

 volume. 



So much will, it is hoped, serve for general introduction. 

 Before closing these preliminary remarks, the author desires 

 to add his acknowledgments to Mr. Charles Richardson, 

 for his chapter on Coursing Clubs, and for various other aid 

 kindly furnished. 



We now proceed to a detailed examination of the sport. 



