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HOUNDS IN OXFORDSHIRE.

BY GELERT.

"See what delights in Sylvan scenes appear!
Descending Gods have found Elysium here;
In woods bright Venus with Adonis stray'd,
And chaste Diana haunts the forest shade."

POPE.

Few who have not actually seen that original workman, the huntsman of the Heythrop hounds, can be at all aware of the transcendent style in which he kills his fox, when there is not a particle of scent to direct his hounds' noses, nor apparently a single chance in his own favour. James Hills has established a system of venery in that country, than which, in its way, nothing can be more complete; and numerous are the advocates who assert that, without such system, the cold and ungenial country which he hunts would never have shewn the sport which it ever has shewn, during its long occupation, by the above brilliant performer. It must, however, be confessed that its chief admirers consist of men who, to judge from their habits, love the horse rather than the hound, the pace better than the pastime; such, for instance, as our friend "Hard-riding Dick," and grinders of every degree, including those especially of the neighbouring University.

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It has been boldly affirmed that Jem Hills, with the aid of a single hound, Nathan" for choice, is more than a match for the best straight-neck'd fox that ever was littered in Wychwood Forest! but whether this be true or not, there can be no doubt that his intimate acquaintance with the habits of the wily animal, his thorough knowledge of the country, and his quick and decisive mode of action render him, under any difficulties of weather and scent, a fearful antagonist to a flying foe. What General Sir Walter Raleigh Gilbert undertook with such consummate ability and success, in the case of the routed Sikh forces, when by rapid marches he overtook and caused them to surrender their arms, would have suited Jem Hills to a turn. Had he been educated in the same school, and placed in a similar situation, he would have carried off an equal amount of kudos with that of the gallant General; for I am fully assured that Jem's strategy, in its way, is quite on a par with that of Sir Walter himself. It has been said that comparisons are odious; but the remark, although generally true, would not be so in the present case, at least as far as the hero of Goojerat is concerned, for no man in the world respects and honours equestrian ability, whether it be evinced in command of a division of cavalry or that of hounds, between the ropes or on the battle field, more than General Sir Walter Raleigh Gilbert.

Some time ago, Jem Hills mounted his pony and trotted off to Ditchley, in company with a party of gentlemen who were going to enjoy a day's shooting within the purlieus of its merry greenwood. One of the party, however, declining his gun, either in contempt of the sport, or from the love of Jem's good company, sat quietly on his cob,

listening with willing and unfeigned attention to Jem's stories anent the stoutness of foxes, stub-bred in that district. "One," he said, "had reached home from the heart of the Oxfordshire country, whither he had wandered in search of a wife. He broke cover at two o'clock precisely, before a whimper was heard, or a hound had touched upon his drag, and he never would have been viewed at all if it had not been for Griff Lloyd, who had turned on one side to take a pull at his sherry, and happened to catch a glimpse of his long tag as he topped a six-foot wall on the cover side. Griff at first thought it was one of the Middleton Colly dogs, and said nothing; but again viewing him, he gave such a screech that Squire Drake fancied the old Welshman was either mad or caught in a man-trap. When Wingfield rode up, Griff's face was in a perfect flame, and, pointing with his finger, all he could say was, Clap on, Tom; clap on.' That fox put his head straight for home. Luckily for him, it was an east wind, and he scudded before it. He crossed the two rivers Cherwell and Evenlode, and several smaller streams, and never quailed till he gained his native forest." Here the story suddenly ceased, for at that instant, when the guns were popping away in all directions around them, Jem's eyes caught sight of a fox which the shooters had disturbed, and giving a wild scream, familiar we doubt not to the fox's ears, he exclaimed, "Come along, sir; I know where he's going ;" and away he started down “a ride," with his companion at his heels, till they came to a point from which they could see another cross ride; and here Jem, holding up his hand and backing his horse into the brambles, beckoned to his friend to "Hold hard and look A half minute had scarcely elapsed before they viewed him again stealing across the ride. "Come along, sir,” said Jem; “ Į know where he's going." And away they scuttled together down a broad ride to another point, and here, posting themselves as before, the fox again shewed himself; and this time Jem could not resist a “ Yoi, over he goes," and "Come along; I know where he's going. And so it continued for at least half an hour, Jem riding to points and viewing the fox at every turn, till at last his companion cried enough," but ever after firmly asserted that Jem had fairly blown that fox himself, and wanted nothing but a bull-dog to pull him down. However, our friend had not forgotten the story of the stout fox, and feeling au interest in his fate, inquired of Jem if the hounds killed him after he gained the forest? No, sir," said he; "he was too old a stager for that; and, although the Squire's hounds ran him desperately from first. to last, the old dodger managed to rake up a fresh fox, and so saved his life."

Jem Hills claims no precedent for his practice, nor does he belong to that class of the creation which, more monkey than man-like, imitates what it cannot originate, and follows where it dare not lead. He may stand upon his pedestal and exclaim

"Libera per vacuum posui vestigia princeps:
Non aliena meo pressi pede."

HOR.

There are doubtless several first-rate sportsmen attached to the Heythrop Hunt; nevertheless, amongst the hard-riding portion of them, it may fairly be asserted that in chase many depend more upon Jem's eye and judgment than on the hounds' sagacity and powers of

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nose. Too, too, too," says Jem upon his short trumpet, and away he starts with " I know where he's going"-fifteen couple of hounds in hand, and a field of a hundred horsemen at his back. And it is ten to one that his cast is a right one; he does "know where he's going," and by his superior craft outwits the craftiest of animals, and beats him by his brains.

However, the system of lifting hounds, so rapidly and so successfully executed, cannot but be detrimental to the hounds themselves; in fact, from experience, they acquire such confidence in their leader, such dependence upon his skill, that they soon cease to exert those natural energies with which they are provided for the pursuit of game, and without which the hunting field is at once stripped of its most captivating feature. Every houndsman will agree with me in thinking that hounds are never seen at a greater advantage than when they are working up" a scent, and gradually improve upon the line; here a hit, and there a hit, and then a general dash that bursts forth simultaneously into hard and determined running. On such occasions, each individual hound has an opportunity of displaying what merit he possesses; if his power of speed be inferior, and do not enable him to figure in front when the pace is extreme, still the excellence of his nose, or his persevering qualities, will entitle him to a share of respect, and compensate for other deficiencies. Beckford says that "It is the very sine quâ non of a foxhunter to ride up to his head hounds; and that it is his business to be ready at all times to lend them that assistance they so frequently stand in need of, and which, when they are first at a fault, is then most critical. A fox-hound, at that time, will most exert himself; he afterwards cools, and becomes more indifferent about his game. Those huntsmen who do not get forward enough to take advantage of this eagerness and impetuosity, and direct it properly, seldom know enough of hunting to be of much use to them afterwards." So far so good ; but it must not be forgotten that he also gives the following discreet advice: If the hounds are at fault, and have made their own cast (which the huntsman should always first encourage them to do), it is then his business to assist them further; but, except in some particular instances, I never approve of their being cast, as long as they are inclined to hunt."

As I have already remarked, Jem's system is peculiarly his own, established "for the good of his country," upon long and successful experience as to the best mode of killing a fox in that country, which, as the world knows, is favourable for riding, but indifferent as to scent; and if there be many who condemn the system as injurious to hounds and fatal to hunting, there are many also who think it the very acme of perfection, and Jem Hills himself the first of living huntsmen.

The copious accounts of sport with the Heythrop hounds, which have already appeared in the columns of Bell's Life, render it unnecessary for me to dilate on the subject; still it may be said that a few of the runs since Christmas have been of a very superior character, and that Lord Chatham's notion of a battle, "short, sharp, and decisive," has been frequently realized in the sylvan war so ably conducted in that country.

It would be difficult, indeed it would be almost impossible, to produce two greater varieties in the "genus" of hunting than exist, or rather

did exist till lately, in the county of Oxford. Captain Evans' practice has ever been the very reverse of Jem Hills' style; and yet, the one pursuing the fox, and the other the hare, success of the most unqualified character has attended equally on both. The contrast, too, has been the more striking, inasmuch as, living near to each other, and hunting the same country, an opportunity has been afforded to sportsmen of instantly comparing the two systems; and thus each, like the lights and shadows of one of Martin's grand pictures, has contributed to increase the effect of the other. As I have already intimated, the Captain's royalty constitutes a kind of imperium in imperio, and unfurls its standard over a considerable district within the realms of the Heythrop Hunt, the kennels and scat of government being situated on the borders of Wychwood Forest, and within sight of the fair and peaceful Evenlode. That stream, into the depths of which so many gallant steeds have gone down headlong with their riders-not for ever, in the fashion of M. Curtius, but again to rise and bound forth together, like so many Centaurs straining for victory! Aye! that stream, on the banks of which my memory still loves to dwell, where, among its many wild flowers and beauties of nature, I so often strolled in my Oxford days, regardless of all earthly objects, save one alone, and wondered, when night came, that hours, and not minutes, had glided by, like the running stream, with smooth and unheeded rapidity. That stream still meanders 'neath the bowers of Blenheim; and although the actors have changed, and the fair Delia has long passed from the stage, yet is the same scene still presented to the eye, and doubtless the same parts may still be enacted, on the bright and beautiful banks of the fair Evenlodc.

"Not bubbling fountains to the thirsty swain-
Not balmy sleep to labourers faint with pain-
Not showers to larks, or sunshine to the bee,
Are half so charming as that scene to me."

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POPE.

If I were asked how many years it would require to breed and perfect such a pack of hounds as Captain Evans possessed, I should immediately answer, As many as make up the term of a man's life!" and even then the time would be too short, if the breeder lacked that peculiar talent which, partly instinctive and in-born, is only thoroughly acquired by men of sound judgment and the closest observation. Pope has said that, "The proper study of mankind is man ;" but he might have gone one step lower in the creation, and would have done so, if, like Captain Evans, he had been coupled with hounds so long, and comprehended their nature so intimately. The ravages of the distemper were known only by name in his kennels; and hence, obtaining a great advantage in the choice of puppies, he reared and entered those only which consorted strictly with the character of the pack, and with his own beauideal of perfection. There was, or rather there is (for the pack is still extant), a combination of airiness and power, of shape and symmetry, in each hound that renders them, individually and collectively, most perfect and beautiful. Scarcely more than fifteen inches high, and level to a hair's breadth; smooth and glossy in their skins, the true index of health and condition; miniature fox-hounds in tongue, dash, and character; it would require a fastidious Fadladeen to point out a single defect in the eighteen couple under review. This fact becomes

especially patent, when the question is put to the Captain as to which he considers the handsomest of the lot; and he, in return, begs the inquirer to begin by drafting out the plainest, and that then he will arrive at the beauties. The rejoinder puzzles the best judge. He will examine each with scrupulous nicety; and after he has eyed them artistically, one after the other, he will confess his inability to pronounce a single hound faulty or unworthy of his neat compeers.

But they must be seen at work to be fully appreciated. It matters not how crooked a hare may be, or to what arts of hot-foil and double she may resort, whether it be on the dusty road or greasy fallow, the green meadow or mountain ridge, they will hunt her to death by inches, or rattle her to death like a hailstorm. Ordinarily, it is true, they stick so closely to her haunches, and push her ahead so vigorously, that, giving her no time for tricks, she dies in twenty minutes, an honest and straightforward hare. With such material, then, it will be asked, wherein consists the Captain's great ability and success? It may be answered in a few words; in fact, his general field-management may be as briefly explained. It consists principally in a negative merit; ex. gr., when hounds check, he always suffers them to cast themselves, which they do at once in the most brilliant and skilful manner, every hound taking his own independent line; they thus acquire that confidence in their own powers, that perseverance and craft which are indispensable to success, and against which the strength and shifts of a hare are utterly futile. Captain Evans has discovered the principle, and acts upon it, that to press too closely upon harriers is the most fatal of all mistakes: so, instead of crowding upon them at a check, and foiling the scent with the steam of the horses, he not only stands aloof himself, but, by so doing, restrains his field with a short, admonitory "Pray, gentlemen," which, being uttered in a very pathetic key, has at once the desired effect. Silence, too, is the order of the day. The hounds' attention is not to be diverted by noise and uproar, nor their noses raised at the expectation of a view halloa! And, at length, when things have really become desperate, and the hounds cannot carry the scent a yard farther, the Captain then interposes, and perhaps holds them on gently beyond a flock of sheep, or down a dry road; but this is never done until nothing can be done without it.

"Nec Deus intersit, nisi dignus vindice noduз
Inciderit."

HOR.

Inch

It will readily be imagined that hounds which carry so good a head, and can go so trimming a pace, would be little likely to stoop kindly to a cold scent, or to unravel the mysteries of a tricksy hare. But this is not the case. No talbot hound of the 14th century ever picked out a trail with more patience and finer instinct than these hounds. by inch will they mark the line, and turn upon the double, or hot-foil, with unerring precision; but interference at such a moment, yea, even an untimely word, is ruin to hounds, and life to the hare: up go their heads, and you may as well go-home. In saying this, I allude to all hounds, and not especially to the Captain's, which are as deaf to disturbance as it is possible for hounds to be; in fact, a stranger may halloa till he's hoarse, and they will pay no more attention to him than if he were scaring rooks.

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