BREEDING AND HUNTING OF FOXHOUNDS. 89 



iron, stone, nor wood, but living things, so far, 

 like himself, })Ossessed of affection and the most 

 careful study of their master's character as well, 

 he must give in to some of their peculiarities, 

 and cherish those points which tend to perfect 

 sport and brilliant running. Very few men have 

 brains or patience enough to make clever hunts- 

 men to hounds, and very few masters have firm- 

 ness enough, resolution, and patience, to rule their 

 field, protect their hounds, and keep their servants 

 in order. 



When I first began hunting, the words, ^^ Always 

 cast forward for a fox when the hounds check, 

 but behind you for a hare," were rung into my 

 ears by my elder brethren of the chase ; but a 

 change very soon came over that dream j and I 

 learned that a check depended on circumstances 

 — circumstances^ perhaps, no longer seen when the 

 hounds threw their heads up, but which, though 

 no lt)nger visible, might be in some way accounted 

 for by a careful huntsman who threw his mind 

 before his hounds, as it is sometimes said a man 

 should do by his heart, if he wanted to get the 

 other side of a ^ ^rasper.'' 



A clever huntsman's eye should not only always 



