194 THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 



smack of his lips. " My taste may be 

 depended upon in such important matters." 



"A great deal of one's comfort depends 

 upon the cook," I observed. 



" Beyond conception," emphatically re- 

 plied the old hound. " In addition to 

 which," he continued, " we can't perform 

 our duties unless properly kept. The meal 

 must be good and old, the flesh well but not 

 over-boiled, and the broth rich and sweet to 

 enable us to kill foxes handsomely. Our 

 strength, speed, and wind, depend upon the 

 feeding." 



" No doubt about it," coincided I. 



" I remember," resumed my friend, 

 " hearing a scientific opinion given on this 

 important subject to us from a thorough- 

 going sportsman of the name of Cecil. In a 

 few words I think more was never spoken." 



" If not too much trouble," said I, ** it 

 would gratify me to hear it repeated." 



* 'A pleased and patient listener, ' ' returned 

 Trimbush, " invariably renders me a willing 

 speaker." And after settling himself in a 

 position of the greatest ease, he commenced 

 the following philosophical dissertation on 

 catering for foxhounds : 



