Page:Cynegetica.djvu/103

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Hounds.
87

nation and climate, how improbable may it ſeem that the faſhionable Nymph, who is not able to make a viſit of thirty yards without a chair or coach, a 'Squire to lead her, or a cane to ſupport her, ſhould be caſt in the ſame mould with the Farmer's Daughter? Or that the ſturdy Champions of Queen Beſs's days, ſhould be but the great grandfathers of that puny race, which is to be ſeen ſwarming in all modern public Aſſemblies, unleſs it be at Church?

But is there not a more ſubſtantial diſtinction between Curs and Greyhounds, Turnſpits and Beagles? I can hardly grant it; or, if there be, it will be eaſily accounted for by the conſiderations above, by giving juſt allowance for food and climate, by remembering that theſe animals are frequent breeders, that they generate at the choice and diſcretion of their maſters, that the fancy or curioſity of the ſons of men have been five thouſand years mixing and altering, improving or ſpoiling them. The Butcher ſends for the famous Dog with the ſilver collar to couple with his favourite, and rears up the whelp with blood and

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garbage,