Mr. Beckford, who was justly esteemed one of the best judges of dogs in Britain, endeavoured, as far as possible, to breed his harriers with much bone and strength within a small compass, and, at the same time, of a handsome make. These respective qualities he obtained; and his hounds ran remarkably well together, went fast, had all the alacrity that could be desired, and would hunt the coldest scent.
Although the harrier is the best adapted for hare hunting, yet there are situations where he is too weak, being ill-suited for swampy and marshy lands, such as those of Lancashire and Lincolnshire, and many other places. The large low southern hound seems best calculated for such localities. Harriers which are of a larger description, and crossed for the purpose of speed, are only superior in open countries, where, for want of covert, the hare will run five or six miles right out without a single turn. In such cases the pleasure of the chase may be compared to those of fox-hunting.
Harriers, in Mr. Beckford’s judgment, to be good, must be kept to their proper game. Hounds cannot be perfect unless used to one scent, and one style of hunting; to run fox with them teaches them to skirt, and is of great disservice to them. The high scent which a fox leaves, the straightness of his course, the eagerness of the pursuit, and the hallooing that usually accompanies it, all contribute to spoil a harrier.—Brown—Daniel.
Harry, v. In Scotland, signifies to rob, plunder, or oppress; destruction of game by birds of prey.
Hart, s. A he-deer of the large kind; the male of the roe.
Hartshorn, s. A volatile alkali, originally drawn from the horn of a stag, called by modern chemists subcarbonate of ammonia.
Haslet, or Harslet, s. The heart, liver, and lights of a hog, with the windpipe and part of the throat to it.
Hatch, v. To produce young from eggs; to quicken the eggs by incubation.
Hatch, s. A brood excluded from the egg; the act of exclusion from the egg; the half-door; in the plural, the doors or openings by which they descend from one deck or floor of a ship to another.
Hattock, s. A shock of corn. Provincial.