These cannot even pretend, that their object is food, either
for themselves or others.
Neither is hunting, where foxes are the objects in view, pursued upon
the principle of the destruction of noxious animals. For it may be
observed, that rewards are frequently offered to those, who will procure
them for the chase: that large woods or covers are frequently allotted
them, that they may breed, and perpetuate their species for the same
purposes, and that a poor man in the neighbourhood of a foxhunter, would
be sure to experience his displeasure, if he were caught in the
destruction of any of these animals.
With respect to the mode of destroying them in either of these cases, it
is not as expeditious, as it might be made by other means. It is on the
other hand, peculiarly cruel. A poor animal is followed, not for
minutes, but frequently for an hour, and sometimes for hours, in pain
and agony. Its sufferings begin with its first fear. Under this fear,
perpetually accompanying it, it flies from the noise of horses, and
horsemen, and the cries of dogs. It pants for breath, till the panting
becomes difficult and painful. It becomes wearied even to misery, yet
dares not rest. And under a complication of these sufferings, it is at
length overtaken, and often literally torn to pieces by its pursuers.
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