A few years since a hare was suddenly started at Finchingfield, in Essex, when the brace of greyhounds running at her came into contact with so much velocity, that both were killed on the spot. At Offham, in Sussex, a brace of greyhounds coursed a hare over the edge of a chalk-pit, and following themselves, were all found dead at the bottom. The high spirit, persevering speed, and invincible ardour, of the greyhound, not being universally known, (at least to those who have either few or no opportunities to partake of the sport,) it may not be inapplicable to introduce a singular circumstance which occurred in 1792. As LORD EGREMONT'S game-keeper was leading a brace of greyhounds coupled together, a hare accidentally crossing the road, the dogs instantly broke from their conductor, and gave chase, fastened as they were to each other: the pursuit afforded an uncommon and no less entertaining sight to several spectators. When the hare was turned, she had a manifest advantage, and embarrassed the dogs exceedingly in changing their direction; notwithstanding which, she was at length killed at Pikeless Gate, after a course of between _three_ and _four_ miles. In 1796 a similar occurrence took place in Scotland, where a brace of greyhounds, in couples, killed a hare after a course of a mile with intervening obstructions.
Endeavours having been made to acquire some degree of information upon the subject of comparative speed between a _greyhound_ and a RACE-HORSE of superior powers and celebrity, it was at length brought to a decision by absolute matter of chance. It having been previously submitted to the opinion of an experienced sportsman, which would prove to possess the greater portion of speed for _a mile_, or for a longer or shorter distance, he returned for answer, that, upon a flat, he had no doubt but a first rate horse would prove _superior_ to the greyhound; unless in a _hilly_ country, where he conceived a good greyhound would have the advantage. The information not to be acquired by any direct mode, was brought to trial by an incident which occurred upon the Course of Doncaster in 1800, and was precisely thus.
A match was to have been run between a horse and a mare for one hundred guineas. At the time appointed, the former not appearing, the mare started _alone_, to insure the STAKES; when, after having ran little more than a mile, a greyhound bitch (to the great admiration and entertainment of the company) took to her from the side of the Course, and continued racing with her the other three miles, keeping her regular line nearly _head_ and _head_, which produced a most excellent match; for when they reached the DISTANCE POST, five to four was betted upon the greyhound; when they came abreast of the stand, it was even betting; and the mare won by only _a head_.