132 NIMROD'S HUNTING TOUR 



speaking of. The great treat of the day was a sight of this celebrated 

 pack, whose fame has long since reached every corner of the sporting 

 world. 



Experience is a great teacher : it is a professor that neither reasons 

 nor debates, but carries conviction and proof, which no one but a 

 madman can dispute. In the Duke of Beaufort's kennel, then, we 

 have it in full force and virtue ; and the benefit of Philip Payne's 

 experience — the result of twenty-three years — exhibits itself to the 

 admiration of every one ; as he is allowed, on all hands, to have 

 more skill in the breeding hounds than any other huntsman of his 

 day. Those who have observed him would almost imagine that he 

 were (what Mr. Beckford, perhaps justly, says a huntsman has no 

 occasion to be) a man of letters and a philosopher ; for more years 

 than he has spent in it have failed making others (and men of talent 

 too) proficient in his art ; and he may certainly be said to have 

 reached perfection. One would almost imagine that he had looked 

 into books, and found, that although the arts of man vary in every 

 age and in evei'y nation, the arts of animals are different. They 

 claim neither invention nor improvement ; but, like the bee, they 

 have their art by inspiration. They have the same talents and the 

 same qualities, but differ in the manner of possessing them ; and 

 Providence seems to have advanced to the very verge of possibility 

 in the extent of the instinct they possess. 



Philip Payne, however, I have reason to believe, owes his honours 

 to Heaven and to himself ; and his observation alone has taught 

 him, that for excellence in animals we have only to breed from those 

 which shew the peculiar qualities we require ; and which, when 

 combined with strength, activity, and symmetry — which we call 

 beauty — produce the perfect hound. On this principle then, Philip 

 has travelled much abroad for his blood, and the crosses he has 

 made have done infinite credit to his judgment. He has much of 

 very indifferent country to hunt over ; and the pace his hounds run 

 over it, and the head they carry, plainly indicate that he has at last 

 acquired what he sought for. 



It is said of Time that he is the only winged personage that cannot 

 fly backwards, and that his speed is but hurrying us to the grave. 

 It is to be wished, however, for the sake of the breed of fox-hounds, 



