cially in the countries adjacent to England, there is a dog of marvellous nature, called the Suth-hound; because, when as he is certified by wordes of arte spoken by his master, what goodes are stolne, whether horse, sheepe, or neat, immediatly he addresseth him suthly to the sent, and followeth with great impetuositie, through all kinde of grounde and water, by as many ambages as the theeves have used, till he attaine to their place of residence: by the benefit of the which dog, the goodes are recovered. But now, of late, he is called by a new popular name, the Slouth-hound: Because, when as the people doe live in south and idlenesse, and neither by themselves, or by the office of a good herd, or by the strength of a good house, they do preserve their goods from the incursion of theeves and robbers, then have they recourse to the dog, for reparation of their slouth[1].
The slouth-hound is frequently mentioned in Barber's, Bruce, and Henry's Wallace. The latter, B. v. says,
A slouth-hound is of Gelder land.
Annandale, formerly Anandirdale, is still pronounced Annerdale by the peasants, and is probably the Ennerdale of the "Gallant Grahams." Here the blood-hound was used to a late period. The memory of the incursions of the Annandale and Liddisdale borderers is still preserved, not only in the Scotish and English border dis-
- ↑ Certayne Matters, &c. 1597.
