UK VIEW. 
417 
man’s nomenclature is highly characteristic; his favourites are 
designated by such amiable appellations as the following : — Arsenic, 
Barbarous, Cerberus, Dragon, Firebrand, Fang, Havoc, Myrmidon, 
Ravenous, Ruffian, Spitfire, Torturer, Viper.” 
Is it possible that such absurd declamation as this could have the 
prize of one hundred guineas awarded to it ] 
Let us now compare this part of our subject with Mr. Youatt’s 
description of hunting. “ Are we authorised,” he asks, “ to follow 
to the death the hare, the deer, and the fox] We have a right to 
the flesh of the inferior animals as food ; we have a right to destroy 
those beasts of prey that trespass on our property : and the only 
question is, the manner in which we shall procure our food, or rid 
ourselves of the destroyer. Now, let us look around. For what 
object was given the scent of the hound, and the exultation with 
which he abandons himself to the chase] If he were not thus 
employed, for what valuable purpose could he be used] We might 
have recourse to the strength and fleetness of the horse for other 
purposes, but how shall we account for his innate propensity for 
hunting] There never was a biped who entered so thoroughly, 
heart and soul, into the joys of the chase, as does the horse ; and, 
if he is not over- weighted, or urged beyond his powers too far and 
too fast, his hunting days are the happiest. 
“ How shall we account for another fact, that, in every country 
and in every age of the world, the love of the chase has been the 
distinguishing characteristic of a considerable portion, and far from 
being the worst part, of the community. In wilder districts, how 
recklessly does the hunter expose himself to danger, arising from the 
face of the country, or the ferocity of the beast which he pursues. 
There is an innate, joyous love of the chase, which urges him on, 
and which prepares him likewise for other labours and for other 
duties, if his country should demand them.” 
Again — “ As for the fox, he is legitimate prey. He is a felon 
by nature, and the preservation of our property demands that he 
should not be suffered to multiply too much among us ; yet there 
are circumstances about him which should make us pause. The 
cowardly bag fox-hunting is less frequently practised than it used 
to be ; but the preservation of the animal — the breeding him for 
the very purpose of sport — ‘ the made covers’ in which he lives, 
and breeds, and enjoys himself, until ‘ he is wanted’ — there is some- 
thing out of tune here,” and every rational right-minded sportsman 
will agree with Mr. Youatt on this point. 
It is an easy matter to become sentimental with Dr. Styles, and 
quote poetry reprobating hunting as a 
“ Detested sport 
That owes its pleasures to another’s pain, 
That feeds upon the sobs and dying shrieks 
Of harmless nature.” 
