FOX-HUNTING. 755 



A good huntsman will always be as silent as possible 

 when his hounds go into cover ; and he cannot be too noisy 

 when they have emerged from it again ; and if circum- 

 stances render it necessary that he should turn back sud- 

 denly, he should prepare his hounds for it, by giving them 

 due notice, otherwise many will be left behind ; and should 

 he turn down the wind, he may not again see them that 

 day. 



It too frequently happens that when a fox is first found 

 people give vent to their delight, and consequently excite 

 the hounds too soon, which are always endowed with suffi- 

 cient enthusiasm to be easily restrained on finding. The 

 hounds should be fairly off in the pursuit before equestrians 

 attempt to shout or move. The huntsman should set off 

 with the leading hounds, which will prevent others i:om 

 slipping down the wind, and getting out of hearing. In 

 urging hounds forward, when the scent lies well, it is neces- 

 sary to guard against hurrying them beyond it, when it is 

 bad ; the huntsman should keep as close to them as possible, 

 so that he may observe how far they carry the scent ; and 

 without due attention to this he can never make a cast with 

 any degree of certainty. The huntsman ought always to be 

 on the alert, to direct the dogs, which when they are first at 

 fault is then most critical ; a foxhound at that moment will 

 exert himself most to re-find, and afterwards will become 

 very indifferent about it. Huntsmen who do not aid hounds 

 in this case are not up to their business, and can never hunt 

 a pack with advantage. 



When the scent is high let the hounds be pushed forward 

 with all possible speed ; screams from the followers keep the 

 fox forward, and the hounds together ; and halloos are very 

 serviceable when hounds are running up tJie wind, for then 

 none but the tail hounds can hear them ; but when running 



