CUB-HUNTING 283 



deer-stalking and fishing may be claimed as auxiliaries. 

 The gay attractions of the metropolis have lost their 

 charms, and all who have the power have assuredly 

 the will to quit that murky atmosphere and feast their 

 appetite on rural pastimes. Cub-hunting usually com- 

 mences about the same period as grouse-shooting; but 

 it is a sport in which few of the present day are dis- 

 {xjsed to join. Does not this rather denote that our 

 grandsires were more devoted to sylvan pleasures than 

 the present generation, when the former would brave 

 the inclemency of a dreary, peradventure tempestuous, 

 ride to covert on a dark morning in December, in order 

 to commence operations at break of day ? Yet few will 

 now arise from their couch to greet the sun in all his 

 splendour on a beautiful autumnal morning. The truth 

 is that our habits have changed, and inclinations are 

 extensively subservient to habits. The avocations of 

 shooting and numerous other engagements afford 

 legitimate pretexts for the sportsman of 1853 not at- 

 tending to the tutelage of the merry pack during their 

 probationary course of cub-hunting. It must also be 

 observed that there is now a diversity of amusements 

 open to the enjoyment of all who are fortunate enough 

 to possess the means of paying for them. Yachting 

 ranks among the most attractive, and with fair 

 weather the month of September and part of October 

 may be passed agreeably on the sea-coast. 



There are several reasons why cub-hunting is not a 

 favourite amusement with every man who at a more 

 advanced season is devotedly attached to fox-hunting. 

 The most extensive woodlands are selected, for the 

 purpose of driving the foxes from their strongholds, 

 and by frequently disturbing them in those quarters 

 induce them to resort to the small coverts which, being 

 kept scrupulously quiet, are to be regarded as certain 

 places of finding when the season is more advanced. 

 Another object being that of killing the cubs, the old 

 foxes are permitted to break away, while the juveniles 

 are headed back. Such woodland pastime does not 



