THE LIFE OF A FOX. 123

desired, and, unfortunately for us, as good scent-
ing as any in the kingdom.

It is supposed that, when people can fly thither
by steam, it will become the Melton of the
North ; but I hope the idea will end, as it began,
in smoke. You, my southern friends, appear to
think that we do not go the very fast pace that
you do, and that the hounds by which we are
hunted are not equally as good as those in
your country ; but in this, too, you are much
mistaken. So good is the scent there, that,
if it were not for the drains, which are now so
general in the cultivated parts, the hounds, at
the awful pace they go, would in a very short
time kill nearly every one of us. Then the hunts-
men are not to be despised; on the contrary,
we have to contend with one who, with the
following qualifications, is near perfection,—the
eye of an eagle, fine temper, boldness, enterprise,
coolness, perseverance, intelligence, and, above
all, decision. This is the rare man with whom,
and with whose pack, we have to contend. I am
proud to say that I have been hunted by, and -

G2