ARRIAN ON COURSING.
Chap. I.
Preface.The advantages that accrue to mankind from hunting, and the regard of
the Gods for those instructed in it by Chiron,[34] and their honourable
distinction throughout Greece, have been related by Xenophon, the son
of Gryllus.
He has pointed out the similitude between Cynegetical and Military science;[35] and the age, constitution, and frame of mind,[36] that essentially qualify for entering on the chase;—has given a description of purse-nets, hayes, and road-nets,[37] such as are necessary to be prepared—the mode of fixing snares for animals that may be entrapped[38]—the natural history of hares, their food, haunts, forms, and the method of searching for them—what dogs are clever at scenting, and what faulty—and how, by their shape and work, each may be ascertained. Some few remarks are also left by him on the boar-hunt, the stag, bear, and lion chases—how these animals may be taken by cunning and stratagem.
The omissions of his work (which do not appear to me to have arisen from negligence, but from ignorance of the Celtic breed of dogs,[39] and the Scythian and African horses,) I shall endeavour to fill up: being his namesake and fellow-citizen,[40] of similar pursuits with himself, as a sportsman, a general, and a philosopher—writing under the same feeling that actuated him, when he thought fit to amend the imperfections of Simon’s work on horsemanship;[41] not out of rivalry with its author, but from a conviction that his labours would be useful to mankind.
Chap. II.In my opinion no proof is required that Xenophon was ignorant of the Celtic breed of dogs, beyond this:[42] Proofs of Xenophon’s ignorance of Celtic Dogs. that the nations inhabiting that district of Europe were unknown,[43] except the parts of Italy occupied by the Greeks,[44] and those with whom they had commercial intercourse by sea. And that he was unacquainted with any other breed of dogs, resembling the Celtic in point of swiftness, is evident from these words:—“whatever hares,” he says, “are caught by dogs, become their prey, contrary to the natural shape of the animal, or accidentally.”[45] Now, if he had been acquainted with the Celtic breed, I think he would have made the very same remark on the dogs; “whatever hares the dogs do not catch at speed, they fail of catching in contradiction of their shape, or from some accidental circumstance.” For assuredly when greyhounds are in good condition, and of high courage, no hare can escape them; unless the country present some obstacles, either a covert to conceal her, or a hollow deep pit to break off the course, or a ditch to favour her escape while out of sight of the dogs.
To this ignorance, in my opinion, is to be attributed the length of his instructions on driving the hare into nets,[46] and if she pass them,[47] pursuing and recovering her by scent, till she be taken, at last, completely tired out. But he has no where said either that fleet dogs altogether supersede the necessity of a sportsman having nets,[48] or of his hunting by scent after the hare has escaped them. Indeed he has described only the mode of hunting which is practised by the Carians and Cretans.[49]
But such of the Celts as hunt for the beauty of the sport, and not as a means of livelihood, never make use of nets. And yet they have a variety of dog not less clever at hunting on scent than the Carian and Cretan,[50] but in shape sorry brutes.[51] In pursuit these give tongue with a clanging howl like the yelping Carians, but are more eager, when they catch the scent.[52] Sometimes, indeed, they gladden so outrageously, even on a stale trail, that I have rated them for their excessive barking,—alikeTheir Qualities. on every scent, whether it be of the hare going to form, or at speed.[53] In pursuing and recovering her, when started, they are not inferior to the Carians or Cretans, save in the one point of speed.
It is good sport, if they kill but a single hare in the winter season, so much resting-time do they give her in the chase; unless, indeed, by being frightened out of her wits at the tumultuous uproar of the pack, she become an easy prey.
These dogs are called Segusians,[54] deriving their name from a Celtic people, amongst whom, I suppose, they were first bred, and held in repute. But[55] all that can be said about them has been anticipated by the elder Xenophon. For they manifest nothing different from others in their mode of finding, or hunting their game;—having no peculiarity, unless one were inclined to speak of their shape,Shape, &c. which I scarce think worth while, except merely to say, that they are shaggy and ugly; and such as are most high-bred are most unsightly. So that the comparison of them to mendicants on the highways is popular with the Celts. For their voice is dolorous and pitiful; and they do not bark on scent of their game, as if eager and savage, but as if plaintively whining after it.
About these, then, I do not think any thing memorable can be written. But the swift-footed Celtic hounds are called in the Celtic tongue Vertragi.οὐέρτραγοι;[56]—not deriving their name from any particular nation, like the Cretan, Carian, or Spartan dogs: but, as some of the Cretans are named διάπονοι[57] from working hard, ἰταμαὶ[58] from their keenness, and mongrels from their being compounded of both; so these Celts are named from their swiftness. Their Beauty.In figure, the most high-bred are a prodigy of beauty;[59]—their eyes, their hair, their colour, and bodily shape throughout. Such brilliancy of gloss is there about the spottiness of the parti-coloured, and in those of uniform colour such glistening over the sameness of tint, as to afford a most delightful spectacle to an amateur of coursing.
Chap. IV.[60] I will specify the indications of speed and good breeding in greyhounds,[61]Marks of Speed and good Blood. and by attention to what points ill-bred and slow ones may be distinguished from them.
In the first place, let them be lengthy from head to tail;[62] for in every variety of dog, you will find, on reflection, no one point so indicative of speed and good breeding as length; and on the other hand, no such mark of slowness and degeneracy as shortness. So that I have even seen dogs with numerous other faults, that have been, on account of their length, both swift and high-couraged. And farther, the larger dogs,[63] when in other respects equal, show higher breeding than small ones on the very score of size. But those large dogs are bad, whose limbs are unknit, and destitute of symmetry;[64] being indeed, when so formed, worse than small dogs, with an equal share of other faults attached to them.
Your greyhounds should have light and well-articulated heads;[65] whether hooked[66] or flat nosed is not of much consequence: nor does it greatly matter whether the parts beneath the forehead be protuberant with muscle.[67] They are alone bad which are heavy-headed, having thick nostrils, with a blunt instead of a pointed termination. Such then are well-headed hounds. Their eyes should be large, up-raised, clear, strikingly bright. The best look fiery, and flash like lightning, resembling those of leopards, lions, or lynxes.[68] Next to these are black eyes, provided they are wide-open and grim-looking; and last of all, grey:[69] nor are these to be considered bad, nor indicative of bad dogs, provided they are clear, and have a savage look.
Chap. V.For I have myself bred up a hound whose eyes are the greyest of the grey;[70] a swift,Episode on Arrian’s dog Hormé. hard-working, courageous, sound-footed dog, and, in his prime, a match, at any time, for four hares. He[71] is, moreover, (for while I am writing, he is yet alive), most gentle, and kindly-affectioned;[72] and never before had any dog such regard for myself, and friend and fellow-sportsman, Megillus.[73] For when not actually engaged in coursing, he is never away from one or other of us. But while I am at home he remains within, by my side, accompanies me on going abroad,[74] follows me to the gymnasium, and, while I am taking exercise, sits down by me. On my return he runs before me, often looking back to see whether I had turned any where out of the road;[75] and as soon as he catches sight of me, showing symptoms of joy, and again trotting on before me. If I am going out on any government business, he remains with my friend, and does exactly the same towards him. He is the constant companion of whichever may be sick;[76] and if he has not seen either of us for only a short time, he jumps up repeatedly by way of salutation, and barks with joy, as a greeting to us. At meals he pats us first with one foot and then with the other,[77] to put us in mind that he is to have his share of food.[78] He has also many tones of speech[79]—more than I ever knew in any other dog—pointing out, in his own language, whatever he wants.
Having been beaten, when a puppy, with a whip, if any one, even at this day, does but mention a whip, he will come up to the speaker cowering and begging,[80] applying his mouth to the man’s as if to kiss him, and jumping up, will hang on his neck, and not let him go until he has appeased his angry threats.[81]
Now really I do not think that I should be ashamed to write even the name of this dog; that it may be left to posterity, that Xenophon the Athenian had a greyhound called Hormé, of the greatest speed and intelligence,[82] and altogether supremely excellent.[83]
Let the ears of your greyhounds be large and soft,[84] so as to appear, from their size and softness, as if broken. Such are best: but it is no bad indication if they appear erect, provided they are not small and stiff.[85] The neck should be long, round, and flexible;[86] so that if you forcibly draw the dogs backwards by their collars, it may seem to be broken, from its flexibility and softness. Broad chests are better than narrow. Let them have shoulders standing wide-apart,[87] not tied together, but as loose, and free from each other, as possible—legs round, straight, and well-jointed—sides strong—loins broad, firm, not fleshy, but sinewy—upper flanks loose and supple[88]—hips wide asunder—lower flanks hollow—tails fine, long, rough with hair, supple, flexible, and more hairy towards the tip—haunches sweeping, and firm to the touch:[89]—with regard to their legs, if the hind ones are longer than the fore, the greyhound will run best up hill; if the fore legs are longest, down hill; but if both are equal, he will run best on a flat.[90] Since, however, it is more difficult to beat a hare on an acclivity, because she runs best up hill, those are deemed the better class of dogs, whose hind legs are longer than their fore ones.[91] Round and strong feet are decidedly best.[92]
Chap. VI.The colour of greyhounds is not of any importance;[93] nor does it matterColour of no importance. if they are perfectly black, red, or white; nor is a simple, uniform colour to be suspected as ferine. The colours, such as they are, should be bright and pure; and the hair, whether the dog be of the rough or smooth sort, should be fine, close, and soft.[94] The best dogs are such as are large and well put together, and resemble bitches in point of suppleness; and the best bitches are such as resemble dogs in spirit, and muscularity of body.[95]
Now if any one pays attention to these hints, as to the shape of greyhounds, they will fully supply him, in my opinion, with the indications of good blood for his kennel, and the opposite of the reverse.
Chap. VII.Nor will the temperIndications from Temper. of greyhounds afford fewer indications of good and bad blood to a careful observer.[96] Such hounds, in the first place, as are crabbed to all persons alike, are not of a generous breed. But if you find any cross to strangers, and good-tempered to their feeder, it is rather a favourable sign than otherwise.[97]
I once knew a greyhound, who was dull and sullen at home, and took no pleasure in any of the persons about him; but, when led out hunting, was beyond measure delighted, and showed, by smiling and fawning at every body that came near him, that he was vexed at staying at home. This may be held a good sign.
The best dogs, however, are those of most attachment to man, and to whom no human countenance is strange.[98] Such, on the other hand, as are afraid of people, and astounded at noise,[99] obstreperous, and often excited without cause, are senseless brutes of no pluck. Like men that are timid and frightened out of their wits, such dogs as these can never be deemed of generous blood.From obedience in the field. Those, too, are bad, which, when let loose from couples in a field, do not come back at the call of their keeper, but gallop away.[100] If you call them in mildly, they pay no attention to you;—if threateningly, they keep aloof from fear.
For when a greyhound has had his gallop, and has run about, he ought to come back to his keeper, even without a call,[101]—showing that he is under command at will; but, if the keeper does not choose to take him up, let him again bound away, and again return. Such dogs are well broken in as, at the voice of their keeper, crouch before him;[102] not from fear, but regard and respect for their feeder, cowering like the worshippers[103] of the Great King.[104] It is no good sign for a hound to stand still, when let out of couples on an open plain, unless he happen to be advanced in age,[105] for it shows sluggishness.
The most high-bred greyhounds have a prominent brow, and look proud.[106] Their tread is light, quick-stepping, on their toes; and they walk sideways,[107] extending their necks like horses curvetting.[108]
Chap. VIII.Some greyhounds eat voraciously, others with delicacy.[109] The latter From their mode of feeding.mode of feeding indicates a dog of better blood than the former.[110] Good dogs are not bad feeders, but fond of bread or gruel.[111] This kind of farinaceous food is most strengthening to them, and there is no fear of their gorging themselves too much with it. I prefer, however, their liking food quite dry;[112] and yet, if it be moistened with water, and they still relish it, it is no evil.
When a dog is sick, administer the broth of fat meat to him, or having roasted a bullock’s liver over some hot coals, and rubbed it abroad, sprinkle it like flour into the broth.[113] This is good also for puppies to strengthen their limbs, when they are first weaned from milk.[114] But milk is the best food for the support of puppies till the ninth month, and even longer; and is serviceable to the sick and delicate, both as drink and aliment. Fasting too is beneficial to a sick dog.[115]
Chap. IX.There is nothing like a soft and warm bed for greyhounds; but it is best for them to sleep withManagement of the Kennel. men:—as they become thereby affectionately attached—pleased with the Bedding.contact of the human body, and as fond of their bedfellow as of their feeder.[116] If any ailing affect the dog, the man will perceive it, and will relieve him in the night, when thirsty, or urged by any call of nature. He will also know how the dog has rested. For if he has passed a sleepless night,[117] or groaned frequently in his sleep,[118] or thrown up any of his food,[119] it will not be safe to take him out coursing. All these things the dog’s bedfellow will be acquainted with.
Nothing can be worse than for dogs to sleep with each other; and more especially so, if they touch one another in bed. For as all cutaneous irritation is removed by a man sleeping with them, so, when they sleep together, they generate every sort of foulness of skin by warmth and close contact, and are generally full of mange.[120] To which cause must be referred the very offensive and pungent stench on entering a kennel where many hounds are confined together.
Chap. X.Rubbing the whole bodyRubbing down. is of great service to the greyhound;[121] no less than to the horse.[122] For it is conducive to the firmness and strength of his limbs—renders his hair soft, and skin shining,[123] and cleanses it from all foulness.
The back and loins you should rub with your right hand, placing your left under the belly; lest the dog, being forcibly pressed down upon his knees, should suffer injury. The sides should be rubbed with both hands at once, and the haunches quite down to the feet, and the shoulders in the same way. When the dog seems to have had enough of it, lay hold of his tail, and lift him up by it; and then having drawn it through your hand, let him go. As soon as he is at liberty, he will shake himself, and show that he is pleased with the operation.
Chap. XI.It is a point of equal importance with any other, that greyhounds be Kennelling.confined during the day;[124] otherwise they will unavoidably become intractable, and, whenever fastened with a collar, will be impatient under the restraint, and whine, and gnaw the straps, so as even to require chains like malefactors. Besides, a hound that is at liberty must needs eat every thing that falls in his way;[125] and, from running about during the day-time, lose the acme of his speed. But, though generally at rest, they should still have their appointed times for walking out.
Chap. XII.Four times a day, at least, take your dogs out of kennel to a level and open field,Exercising. and there loose them from couples, to empty themselves, gallop, and run about.[126] But if they have quite ceased coursing, let it be done more frequently. Slip them in pairs, a brace at a time, so that by contending and playing with each other, they may enjoy their pleasure, and take their exercise together. But on no account let many loose at once, as they sometimes do great mischief by falling on each other.[127] Never slip a strong and full-grown dog with a puppy; for the old dog is an overpowering and distressing antagonist for the youngster, easily overtaking him in pursuit, and as readily running away from him, and leaving him behind; whereby the pup must of course be cowed and dispirited, having in either case the worst of the contest. And farther, such as are spiteful towards each other, never give these their liberty at one and the same time, lest they injure one another. For there are dogs, as well as men, with mutual antipathies, and others again with mutual attachments.[128] Those of the same sex are particularly inimical to each other, dogs to dogs, and bitches to bitches; and this generally from spiteful jealousy. These matters are not to be made light of.
Chap. XIII.In the winter season feed your dogs only once a day,[129] a little before evening;Feeding in winter and summer. for the days are short, and the greyhounds are to be so managed, that if you need their services for coursing till a late hour, they may be able to bear the necessary fasting. But in summer it is right to give them a little bread in addition,[130] that they may not be exhausted by the length of the day; and if thirsty, they will drink with less detriment after having eaten. To thrust down a dog’s throat a piece of salted suet is also found beneficial.[131] But if the weather be very hot, I would have you take an egg in your hand, open your dog’s mouth, and push it down, that he may swallow it at one gulp. This will be nourishment enough for him, will cherish his wind, and quench his thirst.[132]
Chap. XIV.
Seasons of Coursing.You may go out coursing frequently in spring and autumn,[133] these
seasons being attended with the least risk to your dogs—but rarely in
summer,[134] lying by, generally,[135]
when the heat is oppressive. For greyhounds are impatient of heat, and often, when pursuing a
hare with all their might, have been suffocated from a stoppage of
their wind.[136] To guard against which, a courser should carry eggs
with him, and administer them entire, if his hound’s breathing be
exceedingly distressed. For there is no better refrigerative, nothing
that appeases difficulty of breathing so much. It is not unattended
with danger for a dog, under these circumstances of distress, to drink
immoderately.
For the reasons given, then, be cautious of coursing in hot weather. Never go out in winter when the cold is severe, and, on no account, when the ground is frozen hard. For dogs bruise themselves in frost,[137] lose their nails,[138] lacerate the soles of their feet, and if very high-couraged, break even the bones of their toes against the frozen ground from running with excessive eagerness. Whereas the hare is light, with woolly and soft feet,[139] and trips along without injury in frost.
Chap. XV.[140]
Slipping law.
Whoever courses with greyhounds[141] should neither slip them near the
hare, nor more than a brace at a time;[142] for though the hare be
remarkably swift-footed, and have often beaten many dogs, yet being
just started from her form, she cannot but be fluttered at heart, and
terrified at the hallooing, and the hounds pressing close upon her:—and
in this way, many a noble hare has often ignobly perished without an
effort, showing no diversion worth mentioning.
Let the hare, therefore, creep away from her form as if unperceived, and recover her presence of mind. And then, if she be a racer,[143] she will prick up her ears, and bound away from her seat with long strides; and the greyhounds, having capered about as if they were dancing,[144] will stretch out at full speed after her. And at this time is the spectacle worthy indeed of the pains that must necessarily be bestowed on these dogs.[145]
Chap. XVI.
Hares.
Those are the strongest hares which have their forms in open and
exposed places;[146] for, from boldness, they do not conceal
themselves, but seem to me to challenge the dogs. When coursed, they do
not fly to the woods or groves, however near, for immediate liberation
from danger, but stretch away to the open country;[147] and during the
contest, if they are pursued by slow hounds, they moderate their own
speed according as they are pressed; but if their pursuers are fast,
they run with all their might.[148]
Often when they have turned aside to the champaign country, if they perceive a fleet dog following so close as to overshadow them, they throw him off by frequent ricks and turns, and again make for the woods, or wherever they know of a place of refuge; and this should be deemed a proof that the dog has beaten the hare. For coursers, such at least as are true sportsmen, do not take their dogs out for the sake of catching a hare, but for the contest and sport of coursing;[149] and are glad if the hare meet with an escape: if she fly to any thin brake for concealment, though they may see her trembling and in the utmost distress, they will call off their dogs,[150] and more particularly so, when they have run well.[151]
Often, indeed, when following a course on horseback, have I come up to the hare as soon as caught, and myself saved her alive: and then, having taken away my dog, and fastened him up, allowed her to escape.[152] And if I have arrived too late to save her, I have struck my head with sorrow, that the dogs had killed so good an antagonist.[153]
On this point alone I cannot agree with my namesake. I allow indeed that a man may forget every other object of which he is enamoured, when he sees a hare found, and pursued at speed;[154] but to see her taken is, I own, neither a pleasant nor striking spectacle; but disagreeable rather, and not at all likely to make us forgetful of other objects of attachment.[155] And yet we must not blame Xenophon, considering he was ignorant of greyhounds, if even the capture of a hare appeared to him a grand sight.
I am aware, (even if my instructions were opposed to it), how strong the inducement is to halloo, when following a course, and that even a dumb man might break forth, as is related of the son of Crœsus.[156]
Chap. XVII.
Cheering greyhounds.
It is proper sometimes to speak to the greyhounds; for they are pleased
at hearing their master’s voice,[157] and have the consciousness of
his presence, and of their brilliant running not escaping his notice,
as an encouragement and reward for their exertions.
There is no objection to your cheering your hound as often as you like in his first course; but in his second or third, when it is probable that he is fagged, I think it wrong to cheer him very often by name, lest from his ardour, and desire of pleasing his master, he exert himself beyond his strength, and suffer some inward rupture; an accident which has been fatal to many a high-bred greyhound. But he should be allowed to slacken his running as he chooses. For the contest is by no means equal between the hare and greyhound:[158] the hare runs where she likes, and the dog pursues; she shifts her course,[159] throws him off, and darts forward; and if thrown out, the dog is wide of the hare, and must again stretch away after her a-head, and recover what he has lost of the course by overshooting himself.[160]
Moreover, the natural difficulties of the country are more in favour of the hare, than the dog—such as rough and stony grounds,[161] steeps and inequalities of surface—both because she is light, and because her feet, from their woolliness, are not liable to be lacerated by the roughness of the ground;[162] and the running for her life, too, takes away all sense of difficulties.
Chap. XVIII.
Praising, &c.
When the greyhound has caught the hare, or been otherwise victorious
in the course,[163] you should dismount from your horse, pat him with
your hand and praise him, kissing his head, and stroking his ears,
and speaking to him by name—“Well done, Cirras!”[164]—“Well done,
Bonnas!”[165]—“Bravo, my Hormé!”[166]—calling
each hound by his name; for, like men of generous spirit, they love to be praised:[167] and
the dog, if not quite tired out, will come up with joy to caress you.
At this time, it is a good sign for him to roll himself on the ground,
as we see horses do;[168] for it shows that he is not done up with the
course, and, at the same time, rolling refreshes him.
Chap. XIX.[169]
Celtic mode of coursing with hare-finders.
The more opulent Celts,[170] who live in luxury, course in the
following manner. They send out hare-finders[171] early in the morning
to look over such places as are likely to afford hares in form;[172]
and a messenger brings word if they have found any, and what number.
They then go out themselves, and having started the hare, slip the dogs
after her, and follow on horseback.[173]
Chap. XX.
Without hare-finders.
But others, who have no hare-finders, go out on horseback, collecting
a large party of fellow-sportsmen together; and coming to likely
lying-ground, when a hare is started, they slip their dogs. While
others again, who are more of workmen at the sport, sally forth on
foot;[174] and if any one accompanies them on horseback, it is his
duty to keep up with the dogs.