LETTER V. 



THE MEN, 



FTER the hounds and horses, I must at- 

 tempt some description of the men — ser- 

 vants, gentlemen, and others — whom I found 

 in Mr. Chute's field when first I began to 

 observe them. I reserve the master for a Letter to 

 himself; and therefore first in importance comes the 

 huntsman. George Hickson had been so long known, 

 as whipper-in, by the name of * George,' that when he 

 became huntsman he never attained to the dignity of 

 a surname, but was still called ' George.' He was a 

 light, neatly-made man, with a handsome counte- 

 nance, and a most melodious voice. He possessed 

 also, in a high degree, two very useful qualifications 

 for his office: a long sight, which could discern objects 

 at a great distance ; and, what was more important, 

 an accuracy of ear which enabled him to distinguish 

 the tongue of almost every hound in his pack. Yet, 

 with these natural advantages, he was far from being 

 a very good huntsman, at least after the fox was 

 found ; for up to that point, I do not know that I ever 

 saw a better. He brought out his hounds in faultless 

 condition, and drew a cover remarkably well : not 



