A HUNTSMAN'S QUALITIES 3 



It may be objected, that the hunting of a pack of hounds depends 

 upon the huntsman ; and that the huntsman, generally speaking, is an 

 illiterate fellow, who seldom can either read or write this cannot well be 

 denied I must therefore observe, that it is impossible for the business of 

 a kennel to go on as it ought, unless the master himself knows something 

 of it. There must be an understanding somewhere ; and without it, no 

 gentleman can enjoy in perfection this noble diversion. 



It was the opinion of a great sportsman, that it is not less difficult 

 to find a perfect huntsman than a good prime minister. Without taking 

 upon me to determine what requisites may be necessary to form a good 

 prime minister, I will describe some of those which are essentially necessary 

 towards forming a perfect huntsman ; qualities which, I will venture to 

 say, would not disgrace more brilliant situations ; such as a clear head, 

 nice observation, quick apprehension, undaunted courage, strength of con- 

 stitution, activity of body, a good ear, and a good voice. 



There is not any one branch of knowledge, commonly dignified with 

 the title of art, which has not such rudiments or principles as may lead to 

 a competent degree of skill, if not to perfection, hi it ; while hunting, the 

 sole business of some, and the amusement of most of the youth hi this king- 

 dom, seems left entirely to chance. Its pursuit puts us both to greater 

 expense, and also to greater inconvenience, than any other ; yet, notwith- 

 standing this, we trust our diversion in it to the sole guidance of a hunts- 

 man : we follow just as he shall choose to conduct us ; and we suffer the 

 success, or disappointment, of the chase, to depend solely on the judgment 

 of a fellow who is frequently a greater brute than the creature on which 

 he rides. I would not be understood to mean by this, that a huntsman 

 should be a scholar, or that every gentleman should hunt his own hounds. 

 It is not necessary a huntsman should be a man of letters : but give me 

 leave to observe, that, had he the best understanding, he would frequently 

 find opportunities of exercising it, and intricacies which might put it to the 

 test. You will say, perhaps, there is something too laborious in the occu- 

 pation of a huntsman, for a gentleman to take it upon himself ; you may 

 also think it is beneath him : I agree with you in both ; yet I hope that 

 he may have leave to understand it. If he follow the diversion, it is a sign 

 of his liking it ; and if he like it, surely it is some disgrace to him to be 

 ignorant of the means most conducive to it. 



I find there will be no necessity to say much to you hi commendation 

 of a diversion which you professedly admire : it * would be needless, there- 

 passage less exceptionable, therefore, it may be better perhaps, instead of sportsman, to read 

 fox-hunter. 



1 Since the above was written, hunting has undergone a severe censure (vide Monthly 

 Review for September, 1781) ; nor will anything satisfy the critic, less than its total abolition. 

 He recommends feats of agility to be practised and exhibited instead of it. Whether the 



