PRESIDENT-THE EARL OF CLARENDON. 
9 
predatory habits of these wily animals, for nobody has suffered more 
from them, but many offences are laid at Reynard’s door with which 
he cannot fairly be charged. I remember once a mighty hunter, 
whose place, alas! knows him no more, telling me of what happened 
to himself. His shepherd came to him and informed him that a fox 
which was in the habit of prowling round the sheepfold committed 
nightly depredations on the lambs. His master placed a gun in his 
hands with these words: “ If he comes to-night, shoot him!” The 
shepherd, knowing how strictly foxes were preserved on the estate, 
was somewhat astounded, but did as he was bid. The usual worry 
took place that night, the gun was discharged, but it was the 
sheep-dog and not the fox which was brought to bag! I was once 
told by an Irish landlord that a tenant of his own had come to him 
and demanded compensation for the loss of his bull. My friend 
naturally inquired the reason of the animal’s death, and was much 
surprised to learn that it had been frightened to death by a fox 
barking at it. ¥e have yet to learn that a bull is of such a timid 
and weakly nature as to be frightened out of its existence in this 
fashion ! A fox is certainly an exceedingly mischievous animal, 
but it cannot be satisfactorily proved that lamb is its favourite food, 
and he certainly never frightened a bull out of its life. The dish 
which suits his taste best is rat, and I once saw a fox kill a rat in 
the following way. The latter apparently knew what was about to 
happen, for he showed fight—or his tenth—which is the same thing. 
The fox got nearer and nearer until he could place his head within 
a few inches from the rat. One lightning snap of the gleaming 
tushes, a faint crackling sound, and all was over! 
Respecting tame foxes, as of course they are akin to the canine 
race it is by no means a difficult matter to domesticate them, and 
last year there was within a few miles of this spot one who would 
jump on to a chair and sit at his master’s side, and who invariably 
accompanied him in his walks abroad. I should not myself, how¬ 
ever, for olfactory reasons, care to possess such a pet. I have 
myself led one out in a chain for a walk, but this particular animal 
was of a somewhat ferocious disposition, and would allow no liberties 
to be taken with him except by his mistress, to whom he was 
devoted. I have watched him for hours. He was chained to a 
kennel placed in a yard where poultry was kept, and one day I saw 
him overturn the receptacle which contained his food, within the 
limits of his chain, in order to attract and make a meal of the 
unwary fowls. 
