forward, and keep it warm; their exactneſs often renders them trifling and tedious; and they are like ſome nice Dames, who ſtand picking out every duſt and mote, whilſt they might dreſs the meat. By this means, though the hunt be finer, yet the prey (which is by ſome thought neceſſary to complete the ſport) very often eſcapes, the length of the chace takes up the time, and expoſes them to numerous hazards of loſing.
The North Country Beagle is nimble and vigorous, and does his buſineſs as furiouſly as Jehu himſelf can wiſh him: he purſues Puſs with the moſt impetuous eagerneſs, gives her no time to breathe or double, and, if the ſcent lies high, will eaſily demoliſh a leaſh, or two brace, before dinner[1]. But
- ↑ All other kind of Hounds are now entirely laid aſide by thoſe who affect to hunt in ſtyle, though Somerville gives his teſtimony againſt this practice in the following animated lines:
"A different Hound for every different chace
Select with judgment, nor the timorous Hare
O'er-match'd deſtroy, but leave that vile offence
To the mean, murderous, courſing crew, intent
On blood and ſpoil; O blaſt their hopes, juſt Heaven!"
Somerville's Chace.
