Radcliffe's Noble Science of Fox-Hunting. Fourth Edition. Edited by W.
C. A. Blew, M.A. (J. C. Nimmo.)—It is astonish- ing how much we have learnt about horses since the year in which Radcliffe's book was published. Our author records, as an instance of the advance since the time of 31eynell, how that great man hunted with a hundred couples of hounds, and compares to this the custom of his day. And if the actual science has not altered since Radcliffe's day, the treatment of hunters has under- gone a revolution. That is to say, in a great many establishments, and even in the more old-fashioned stables, much that was regarded as perfect in his day would be regarded as barbarous now. Hounds will furnish another example of alteration in fashions. Radcliffe would have them bathed in pot-liquor. The editor says : "I cannot call to mind any kennel in which this form of treatment is now
adopted." Let us try to imagine, if we can, the huntsmen'e faces at the suggestion of such a thing. Radcliffe penned a bitter invective against railways ; and they have spoilt many countries, but not in the way he dreaded. The farmer is the person best fitted to complain of railways which, after making much of his produce unsaleable by heavy rates, add insult to in- jury by bringing into the market the enormous contributions of outsiders. Mr. Blew has done his work very well ; indeed, his notes are admirable, particularly when they remind the reader of changes in hunting management, and on questions as to scent, &c., about which endless discussion has raged. On one point, the present generation will hardly agree with the author's views,— his preference of foxhounds to harriers for hare-hunting. That foxhounds are mostly used, is very often because the older broods cannot be obtained. Who has not heard sportsmen complain of the pace of the modern harrier ? and who does not regret the old Southern hound with his wonderful note ? This volume, we see,, has ten handsome hand-coloured engravings (the portrait of Loraine Smith is an excellent specimen), besides thirty-five woodeuts. No sportsman can possibly ignore it.
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