Hot, a. Having the power to excite the sense of heat; fiery; ardent, vehement, eager.
Hough, s. The lower part of the thigh.
Hough, v. To hamstring, to disable by cutting the sinews of the ham.
Hound, s. A dog used in the chase.
The old English hound or Talbot. (Canis Sagax, Linn.)—This is undoubtedly the origin of those famous hounds for which Great Britain is celebrated above all other countries. In former times this dog was of a pure white, but is now generally of a white and black colour, and tanned over the eyes.
This majestic animal is distinguished by his great size and strength; his body is long, his chest deep, and his ears long and sweeping, with great gravity of expression. From the particular formation of his organs, or from the extraordinary moisture which always flows from his nose, or from some other unknown cause, he is endowed with the most exquisite sense of smelling, and can discover scent hours after other dogs have given up.
Although the talbot hunts with great certainty, yet he becomes tedious from the slowness of his motions; this, however, enables him to receive more distinctly the directions of the huntsman. And he can trace with a cold scent, which he is too apt to make so by his want of speed.
The talbot, in the “History of Manchester,” is stated to be the original breed of this island, used by the ancient Britons in the chase of larger kinds of game, with which the country at one time abounded. They were common in all parts of the kingdom, and were much larger than they are at present; and have been gradually declining in consequence of mixing them with lighter dogs for the purpose of increasing their speed. We have no doubt that, from this cause, the breed will eventually become extinct.
It is said, that the tone of his voice is peculiarly deep, sonorous, powerful, and mellow.