WHIPS 265 



slang-like notoriety. A neat, light whip, with rather 

 a short thong, is the most consistent in the hand of a 

 sportsman. It may, perhaps, be objected that as a 

 gentleman who is a mere spectator is not about to act 

 the part of a whipper-in the thong is an unnecessary 

 and useless encumbrance : but that is not exactly cor- 

 rect; there are times when it is useful. When in covert, 

 for example, while passing along a ride hounds often 

 come suddenly very close to the heels of the horses, 

 which will occasion some to lash out. The whip being 

 held out, with the thong in a pendulous state, will act 

 as a caution and prevent an accident. The same thing 

 frequently happens in a road; and every gentleman 

 who goes out to enjoy a day's sport must feel ex- 

 'cessively annoyed if any little want of care and atten- 

 tion on his part should be the cause of injurj' to a 

 valuable hound. The appointments do not appear to 

 be complete unless there is a thong to the whip ; but 

 the application of it to the hounds by a stranger would 

 doubtless be an act of the most egregious impropriety. 

 I once saw an individual arrayed in pink — the only 

 insignia of the sportsman about him, I must observe — 

 as he was riding through a covert strike a hound most 

 vigorously with his whip. The hound was industriously 

 feeling for a cold scent ; and I could not avoid inquiring 

 the cause of such an indiscreet assault. The reply was 

 that he wanted to send the hound on to the others ; and 

 yet it was one of the leading hounds. If such an act 

 had been perpetrated in the presence of many masters 

 of hounds their benedictions would not have been 

 inaudible or their expressions restrained to the mildest 

 terms. Certainly persons who do not observe more 

 decorum in the use of their whips would do well to 

 leave the thongs at home. 



