The FOX, when tamed and subject to nice inspection, is one of the most beautifully formed animals in the creation; and when that form is critically surveyed, the possibility of his persevering speed before such immense bodies of fleet pursuers, for so great a length of time, becomes matter of the greatest admiration. Foxes are in colour of a yellowish red, or rather yellow brown, having on the forehead, the shoulders, as far as the root of the tail, and the outside of the hind legs, a tinge of dirty white or ash colour: the edges of the lips, the cheeks, and the throat, are white; and a stripe of the same runs along the under side of the legs: the breast and belly are a lightish grey: the tips of the ears and feet (sportingly termed PADS) are black: the tail (called BRUSH) reddish yellow, with a blackish hue upon the surface; the tip itself pure white.

The fox in formation has great resemblance to the dog, but with some variations; his head is larger in proportion to his body; his ears are shorter; his tail thicker, and the hair longer: he has a broad flat forehead, narrowing to a picked nose; ears erect, and sharp at the point; eyes small, and fiery in aspect, by which are easily observed whether he is influenced by AFFECTION, ANGER, or FEAR. His sense of smelling is so instinctively exquisite, that he can wind either his prey or his enemy at a very considerable distance.

The sagacity of this animal, in the pursuit of his prey, as well as his various modes of obtaining it, are almost beyond description: his favourite objects are GAME of every kind, RABBITS, POULTRY without exception, BIRDS, and the smaller quadrupeds. In extreme hunger he will eat mice, frogs, snails, and insects: some kinds of fruits and berries also are not refused. Honey he is remarkably fond of; and, it is said, will even attack the HIVES, and hazard the event of a battle, rather than relinquish the chance of so luxurious and delicious a repast. The same sagacity regulates all his proceedings in respect to bodily safety: when laying above ground, it is generally in the most sequestered and unfrequented places, and the most difficult of access; when at earth, it is generally in the strong hold of hard ground, exceedingly deep, of which some BADGER has been dispossessed, (by the FOX'S cunning of depositing his excrement there,) or under the roots of trees, by the diverse ramifications of which he is shielded from every chance of extermination.

In his nocturnal depredations, he is in some degree systematic, frequently selecting for his concealment those small grassy-bottomed COVERTS near the small hovels and thatched cottages of the labouring poor, where his lurking-place is the least suspected. Here, in his recluse KENNEL, he enjoys the various cackling of the different kinds of poultry, and exultingly anticipates the intentional devastation. When unrestrained, and in a state of liberty, he seizes POULTRY with a rapturous eagerness, and ravenous rapacity, absolutely incredible; his joy in possession is demonstrated by the most inexpressible twistings and flirtings of the TAIL, with other wanton gesticulations, indicative of the highest possible gratification. The first and most pressing sensations of present hunger being satisfied, he prudently provides for the uncertainty of the future: after the annihilation (or safe deposit) of a first, he returns for the second; that safely secured, either in a hole dug for its reception, and covered with earth, or secreted in his kennel, he comes for a third, which is concealed in a similar manner, but not in the same place, well knowing the impolicy of placing all his treasure in ONE BANK, wisely recollecting, that should BANKRUPTCY happen in one place, it can prove no bad maxim to have EFFECTS in another.

Fortune not always favoring him at the same points, he has his ALTERNATIVES: as it is the misfortune annexed to his very NATURE to afford sport to others, so, with all the retaliation in his power, he frequently finds sport for himself. To the helpless, inoffensive LEVERETS, during the early part of the season, he frequently gives chase, particularly on moon-light nights, with too much success. In this pursuit he vents a sensation of pleasure, partaking more of a yelping whimper than a distinct bark: he seizes old HARES in their forms; perseveringly digs rabbits out of their burrows; is indefatigable in the search after, and discovery of, PHEASANTS and PARTRIDGES upon their nests, which he instantly destroys. The fatigue he undergoes by night in quest of prey, occasions him to sleep much, and sometimes exceedingly sound, by DAY: instances have been frequent of HOUNDS drawing up to, and killing them in kennel, without a drag; as well as of their being found sleeping in the sunny banks of hedge-rows, and shot by FARMERS, (basking as they lay,) without being previously disturbed.

The naturally rank and offensive smell of the FOX renders it a rich scent to HOUNDS, which they evidently evince when it lays well, and they are running BREAST HIGH; at which time the crows, magpies, and jays, (who consider him an invincible and cruel enemy,) give clamorous proofs of his presence, by hovering over him with their screams of exultation at his impending fate, so long as they can keep him in view. They copulate (or go to clicket, as it is called) in the winter, and produce cubs during the month of April, and the first week in May: they have but one litter a year; an OLD VIXEN frequently bringing from six to nine cubs; a VIXEN of the first or second year not so many. They are known to grow for eighteen months, and to live, even in a tame state, for fourteen or fifteen years.

Doubts have arisen, and opposite opinions have been strenuously supported, upon the question whether the FOX and DOG will generate an OFFSPRING to which the prolific powers shall continue in successive perpetuity: this seems to be positively ascertained in the AFFIRMATIVE, with one exception, which is, that the act of copulation will be effected only by the DOG FOX with a bitch of the CANINE SPECIES.

Instances of the extreme cunning, and innate sagacity, of FOXES, when hunted, and in returning twenty and thirty miles to the coverts where they have been first found, are upon record, and almost innumerable. Their COURAGE, as well as the strength of their jaws, are beyond conception: they defend themselves to the last extremity; no blows deter them from their hold: their bite is severe and dangerous, as they make their teeth meet through a strong and thick hand. When caught by the HOUNDS, they are silently resolute even in DEATH; for revengefully seizing upon the first assailant, their hold is never relinquished but with the last gasp.

FOX-HUNTING

—has been for time immemorial a favourite sport with the natives of this kingdom, particularly in the prime of life; the pleasing exercise, and bodily exertion, contributing greatly to the PRESERVATION of HEALTH; but the fatigue and danger render it but ill-adapted to the AGED, the INFIRM, and the VALETUDINARIAN. The persevering speed and fortitude of the GAME, the constantly improving high mettled excellence of the HOUNDS, the invincible spirit of the HORSES, and the unrestrained ardour of their RIDERS, have given it a decided superiority over every other FIELD SPORT ever yet known to the people of this country. Its salutary effect upon both the BODY and MIND, has established its enjoyment upon a basis too broad ever to be shaken, even by time itself: the superlative pleasure of every scene, the diversities of the aggregate, and the extacy with which the whole is embraced by its infinity of devotees, have reduced the sport to a system of perfection never before known; and in this some of the most LEARNED, the most EMINENT, and the most OPULENT characters are principally and personally engaged in nearly every county, from one extremity of the kingdom to the other.