THE TJFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



' " Hounds," he says, " should couibine strength with beauty, 

 and steadiness with high mettle. 



'" Perfection of shape consists in short I )acks, open bosoms, 

 straight legs, and compact feet. 



' " The first qualities of hounds are tine noses, docile tempers, 

 steadiness to their game, and stoutness in chase. 



' " If flagrant propensities discover themselves in a young 

 hound, hang him at once. 



' " Walk your hounds amongst riot (i.e. hares and deer) in the 

 summer, and liunt the woodlands, in which foxes are plenty, at 

 least two months before the regular season begins. 



' " Perfection in hounds in chase lies in their hard running 

 with a good scent, and patient hunting with a bad one, together 

 with invincible stoutness, when called for. 



' " The greatest faults are skirting, over-running the scent, and 

 babbling. Never breed from a hound that quits the line in 

 chase, however good in all other respects. The fault will surely 

 descend to his or her produce. 



' " Do not lift 3^our hounds when they are at fault, until you 

 are satisfied that they require it ; but encourage them to take 

 pains ; and keep your field aloof, so that the steam from the 

 horses may not destroy the scent. Let them be cast in two 

 lots — the head whipper-in taking hold of one, and the hunts- 

 man of the other. 



' " When a fox breaks cover, avoid too much hallooing ; it 

 makes hounds wild, and often mars sport. 



' " The more quietly whippers-in turn hoinids, the better ; if 

 they are too free with their rating and their whips, hounds will 

 not turn as short as they should do, from fear of the lash. 



' " When the hounds are going to cry, let them be encouraged, 

 not driven to do so, if it can be avoided. If a hound will not 

 go readily to cry, he had better be drafted at once. It is essen- 

 tial to sport that hounds should get quickly to cry, or a good 

 head cannot be carried by them in the burst, which renders 

 it imperfect, notwithstanding the pace may be good. 



' "If a fox hangs long in cover, leave him, rather than mob 

 him to death. He may have a reason for doing so, which 

 he will sooner die for, than forego ; and he may show good 

 sport at another time. 



' " Do not think too much about killing foxes, or of ' blood,' 

 as the term is. The wildest pack of hounds have been known 



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