Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-19
THE SLY FOX.
Is Old Reynard Losing His Proverbia'
Cunning2


call the fox cunning, and all children
are taught to think him so. But ac-
cOrding to a good deal of concurrent
testimony on the subject, Reynard Is
said to exhibit a considerable falling
off in this special attribute. OF course,
he remains the same game and staying
animal as of yore, while he is probably
faster than were his ancestors of a
hundred years ago. And when we
come to the evidence of his alleged
mental deterioration, 1t can only be
said that II would be more convincing
IL it were a little clearer and less con-
fiicting. Thus, we are told that the
fox is now so Over-educated that In
stead of being actively prepared fol
emergencies he is constantly dwelling
on those which seldom arise. He con-
sequently often falls victim to his
own excess of caution, induced by a
habitual distrustfulness. Doubtless
like other hunted animals, the fox
sometimes becomes too bewildered to
take the right course for his own safe
ty, a fact of which every hunting sea-
son affords some examples. On the
other hand 1t is argued that Reynard
is quite as artful and resourceful as at
any former period, which he may very
well be without being half as cunning
as he has been universally painted
For there is no question that the cum
ming of the fox has been as much ex-
aggerated as the stupidity of the ass.
And, at least in the matter Of seeking
his prey, it is doubtful whether the
former is a greater master OF artifice
than are many other rapacious crea-
lures, not excepting some of the crus-
taceans and even the larger predatory
insects.
| ITO recount all the perfidious knav-
cries of the fox" says an old Flemish
proverb, "all the cloth made at Client,
turned into parchment, would be in
sufficient" II we may judge, however,
from the immense amount Of matter
which has been written about the fox,
the ancient authors could have been at
no loss for parchment to apply to the
purpose in question. And, OF course,
every sportsman has his own particu-
lar stories of folklore, and chronicles
of runs" which all make for the con-
tention that Reynard is endowed with
quite an exceptional amount of cunning
| This naturally shows various degrees
of development, and perhaps only at
tains it's highest stage in one of those
| fine old customers" who, from time to
| time, find themselves growing honora-
bly, gray in the service. Young foxes,
indeed, are often mere simpletons, and
with them, as with their progenitors,
it is certainly true that only experience
teaches. Even the most seasoned
| foxes occasionally show an unaccount-
able lack of prudence and foresight,
and in modern hunting records we fire.
quently hear of animals who altogeth-
er failed to realize the danger they
| were in. A curious instance Of this
| occurred some seasons since, when
three foxes took up their abode In an
| ivy covered tree on the borders OF 4
covert. From this retreat-from which,
if discovered, the chances Of escape
seemed hopeless-the foxes were one by
one dislodged the first by good fortune
contriving to elude the hounds, to
which the other two at once fell VIC
tins. A similar instance recently oc-
CURED, and cases Of the same kind
OF miscalculation on the part Of the
fox are pretty frequent in contempor-
ary hunting records. AS against which
1t is only fair to recount an instance
of Reynard's adroitness which happen
ed a few days ago. While the hounds
were drawing a covert in Devonshire
fox was seen lying under ledge OF
rock about fifty feet from the ground.
He resisted every attempt made to dis
lodge him, remaining perfectly quiet
until a couple Of hounds managed to
crawl up to the ledge. Whereupon the
fox jumped to a neighboring tree, and
dropping from branch to branch, got
safely to the ground, and entirely out
whiting his pursuers. made good his
escape.
The question Of the comparative
cunning of the fox can obviously only
be decided by those versed in the art
Of wOodcraft That he is acutely cum
ming may be taken for granted, but the
how much more or less so than other
animals Is not so easily determined.
BY common consensus of opinion,
Reynard has long figured as the arch
type of duplicity, but this judgment
owes little or nothing to actual obser-
walton in the field. With few excep-
tions. the fabulists of nearly all ma
tions have elected him as the chief
representative Of cunning in their end
less diversity Of Apologies. Fables
have influenced mankind even more
than proverbs. and it is probable that
many of the attributes popularity as
signed to particular animals owe their
origin to those little comedies OF the
ancient world. They were obviously
composed with a distinct perception of
the dramatic, and the lion was granted
the position of the king or DeaSts,
simply because he best looked the part.
And for a similar reason the fox ap-
pears to have been constantly cast
for the knave of the piece, for which
he is already so admirably made up
ny nature But the contour OF his
mask, and his furtive, sidelong glance,
give him an appearance of cunning
which is perhaps not always justified
by the fact. Much of the apparent
suspiciousness of manner for which
the fox is notorious is now thought to
be due to the peculiar formation of his
eye. which really makes him a short
sighted animal. His hour of conf
dence is after nightfall. when many of
his furtive mannerisms are cast aside.
1t is rather curious to find that the
old fabulistS. to whom so much OF
| n. t,1 t;n,, fe dina