THE NEW FOREST. 61 



which rain acorns upon them for an hour together, at the 

 sound of his horn. He then sends them again to sleep. 



" The following day he is perhaps at the pains of pro- 

 curing them another meal, with music played as usual. 

 He then leaves them a little more by themselves, having 

 an eye, however, on them in the evening hours. But as 

 their bellies are full, they seldom wander far from home, 

 retiring commonly very orderly and early to bed. 



" After this he throws his sty open, and leaves them to 

 cater for themselves; and from henceforth he has little 

 trouble with them during the whole time of their migra- 

 tion. Now and then, in calm weather when mast falls 

 sparingly he calls them together, perhaps by the music of 

 his horn, to a gratuitous meal, but in general they need 

 little attention, returning regularly home at night, though 

 they often wander in the day two and three miles from 

 their sty. There are experienced leaders in all herds, 

 which have spent this roving life before, and can instruct 

 their juniors in the method of it. 



" I would not, however, have it supposed that all the 

 swineherds in the forest manage their colonies with this 

 exactness. Bad governments and bad governors will every- 

 where exist, but I mention this as an example of sound 

 policy not as a mere Platonic or Utopian scheme, but 

 such as hath been often realized, and as often hath been 

 found productive of good order and public utility. The hog 

 is commonly supposed to be an obstinate, headstrong, un- 

 manageable brute ; and he may perhaps have a degree of 

 positiateness in his temper. In general, however, if he is 

 properly managed, he is an orderly docile animal. The 

 only difficulty is to make your meanings, when they are 

 fair and friendly, intelligible to him. Effect this, and you 

 may lead him with a straw. 



" Nor is he without his social feelings when he is at 

 liberty to indulge them. In his first migrations it is com- 

 monly observed that of whatever number the flock consists, 

 they naturally separate in their daily excursions into such 

 little knots and societies as have formerly had habits of 



