HUMANITY IN THEIR CHASTISEMENT 51 



The objections that I have now made to the treatment of young hounds 

 by some huntsmen, though addressed, my friend, to you, are general objec- 

 tions, and should not personally offend you. I know no man more just 

 or more humane than yourself. For the disapprobation which you so 

 strongly marked in your last letter, of the severity used in some kennels, 

 the noble animal that we both admire is much beholden to you : your 

 intention of being present yourself the first time a hound is flogged, to see 

 how your new whipper-in behaves himself, is a proof of benevolence, which 

 the Italian author of the most humane book 1 could not fail to commend 

 you for. Huntsmen and whippers-in are seldom so unlucky as to have 

 your feelings ; yet custom, which authorises them to flog hounds unmer- 

 cifully, does not do away the barbarity of it. A gentleman seeing a girl 

 skinning eels alive, asked her ' if it was not very cruel ? ' ' Oh, not at 

 all, Sir,' replied the girl ; ' they be used to it ! ' 



1 Dei delitti e delle pene. (On faults and their penalties.) 



