62 Ikinas of tbe flDunting^jfielb 



consisted of three -year-olds and upwards, and no two- 

 year-olds were admitted, except a very high opinion 

 was entertained of their virtues and abilities. The 

 young hounds were hunted twice a week, as much in 

 woodlands as possible, and in the most unpopular coverts ; 

 the Young Pack had always a few couples of steady old 

 hounds with them. The Old Pack hunted the best 

 country ; when any bad faults were discovered, they 

 were immediately drafted for fear of contamination. 

 Skirting, overrunning the scent, and babbling, were 

 considered the greatest faults ; perfections consisted of 

 true guiders in hard running, and close, patient hunters 

 on a cold scent, together with stoutness. 



' Mr Meynell prided himself on the steadiness and 

 docility of his hounds, and their hunting through sheep 

 and hares, which they did in a most surprising manner. 

 He seldom or never attempted to lift his hounds through 

 sheep, and from habit, and the great flocks the hounds 

 were accustomed to, they carried the scent on most 

 correctly and expeditiously, much sooner than any 

 lifting could have accomplished. Mr Meynell was not 

 fond of casting hounds ; when once they were laid on to 

 the line of scent, he left it to them ; he only encouraged 

 them to take pains ; and kept aloof, so that the steam of 

 the horses could not interfere with the scent. 



' When a fox dwells in covert and will not go away, the 

 best plan is to leave him, and not kill him — another day 

 he will, perhaps, afford good sport. Blood was a thing Mr 

 Meynell was more indifferent about than most owners of 

 hounds. Murdering foxes is a most absurd prodigality. 

 Seasoned foxes are as necessary to sport as experienced 

 hounds. 



' Mr Meynell's hounds had more good runs than any 



