The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-09

ID all the more singular 1nasmucn as Great BRITAIN
Ii the only country in the world where coursing has
ever nourished. Indeed, it may be said that here
Alone the
GREYHOUND HAS ATTAINED HIS PRESENT FORM
and the sport has been put under the control OF a
BET of carefully prepared rules. 1t is somewhat
peculiar fact that the English people far less
in and acquainted with the matter'than
The Scotch and it may be seen from comparison
Of the results of the Waterloo Cup and the other
prizes associated with 1t that taking into account
tho respective populations of the three Kingdoms,
Scotland and Ireland have always played far
more prominent part than England. In Scotland,
where even up to the present day racing has only
fanguid and fartive existence coursing is carried
on with the greatest ardOr, and many Of the most
celebrated masters OF the art and some of the finest
greyhounds ever produced hail from the northern
part of this island. The literature OF the sport is
onderfully interesting, but as rule the writer's
who disc its origin leave US pretty much where
we WERE Still we do not find the
CLASSIC AUTHORS SILENT ON THE SUBJECT.
At remote period ia the literature OF Greece
and Rome references can be met with to the pur-
suit of wild animals by dogs, who kept them in
sight, and without the of scent, captured them
by speed. At later period the descendants Of
these hounds are described as being engaged in
of the very greatest authorities on cOursing and
Ovid Martial, Orphan and others mention 1t Incl
dentay. It disappeared along with many matters
but, on the revival OF learning we find many
writer's treating OF 1t with thorough knowledge
among them Comte de Folk, the Duke Of York.
Tuberville, the Gascoigne and many more. The
ORIGIN OF TIE GREYHOUND
and quarrels Of coursing pundtts only serve to
make darkness visible Even the derivation or
the word has been for ages a subject Of hot dis
day. Whether the progenitors Of the present
hare-er to grey" the early designation OF the
badger, or to gre signiiyi9g rank, we know
himself much. He is vastly more Interested in the
perfection Of the animals form, and that Is, I'M
doubtedly, due to natural and, In far greater
differ on points Of detail in describing the model
but as to the there
class Of animals has been brought to its
HIGHEST PITCH IN GREAT BRITAIN,
TnoWledpe are always brought to bear on The breed
ing of this peculiar class OF hounds the best which
can always command high prices. The head should
the neck long, round and flexible, to enable him to
lift the without risk OF falling; the eyes round,
ample attachnent to the muscles Of the limbs and
the respiratory MUSCLES without adding unneces-
sary weight, or unnecessary surface to resist the
legs well set on straight and bony, and resting
sTeund and cat-like feet;'' the back strong and
cately soft and fine; the color not matter Of i'm
portance; the tail long and tapering ITO assist
generally in the prspulsatory Efforts and more
The ' - wv
RULES OF CoURsING
were finally settled by the National Coursng CLUB,
which was founded in 1858; but by that time every
little club all over the country had its own state
Of matters which led to endless disputes. In the
decision OF q course the whole responsibility rests
on the shoulders OF the judge, who rides after the
dogs to see what they de. He estimates the value
unrld don Inv n md lriy H.,
superiority to that which does most towards kill
ing the hare, his estimate being formed on q bal
dogs only are started after each hare, and the
latter Is allowed, as rule, four or five score yards
law" or start according to the nature OF the
other by collars OF different coers, in order that
the judge may have no difiiculty in making them
Gated system Of belts called the slips,
se of .n aes ne no %ne in his nand
frees the hounds by simple contrivance, OF which
there are various FORMS, The field is generally
their sticks and "sohO" until a hare is started.
The dogs look towards the point whence the noise
them when .'puss" gets they are ioosed as
soon as he finds them bearing against the collar,
and away they &C. with their tremendous strides
when IL Is caught by the long nose and turned up.
Coursng is furnished with
VERY PECULIAR TECHNOLOGY,
the movements OF the dogs being described by
various terms and being assigned a certain vary
ing number OF points EACH the sum OF the points
deciding which of the two greyhounds has the
best of the course. Speed is q great criterion Of
merit, but is differently reckoned according as
or gains the lead in running the outer circle,
or outstrps his fellow after hanging In the slips or
sSsarting SLOW The turn Is where the hare Is
from her previous line, and II both dogs start
equally, and that which made the turn outruns his
starts 2 clear length behind the other, and yet
passes him length in the straight run, he is
hare from her line is Called wrench" The
value OF the "kilr' al depends on the style in
superior dash and Skill bears the hare whether he
picks ner up through any little accidental crcum-
stance favorng him, or whether she is actually
turned int his mouth, as 1t were, by the other
greyhound. 1t is on the sum Of number Of points
allowed each greyhound for all or some Of these
gives his decision, and it may be seen that his
The
GREAT WATERLOO MEETING
is held on the plains OF Atcar, about twelve miles
from Liverpool, and has occupied the past three
days The sixty-fOur gentlemen forming the Ma
tiona CoursiDg Club (ten OF whom retire by ballet
annually have the right Of nominating each dog,
ana, OF course, may run his own or friends:
animals That will take part in the contest until
close upon the time, though in many cases 1t is
torm." The meeting commences always on Wed
n,esday, put ON the previous night banquet s held
do sse r ndephi Hotel In Liverpool at which the
Tvps are drawn, by lots, into thirtytwo couples.
luis part oil the business Is always watched With
one utmost anxiety by owners ana spectators, be-
T az u iavorite is drawn against another favor
the o nnn, OF tnem mast beaten and retire from
sne contest whereas II he Ia drawn against
an inferior dog he is almost certain TO win his first
1e ,, ,.nougn that Is far from following always.
a'uea we 9raw on this occasion, Peasant Boy who
as e. mo ast year being beaten by Bed OF Stone
vas WIS ~ tne mead OF the quotations on the .1ong
euas Dettlngthat is, the betting on the chance OF
Gettlng safely through all the contests nd winning
the Cnp while Bed OF Stone was only fourth in