14 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



country, the answer would be " Nothing ;" that they 

 found themselves truly dislocated in a strange locality, 

 and were all abroad. Whether they would have done 

 nothing had they remained, is quite another question ; 

 my belief is that such a pack would have maintained its 

 superiority in any country ; though I still hold to my 

 opinion, that a hound which may be perfect in one 

 country, may be utterly useless in another; that the 

 greatest talents in a huntsman may be equally unavailing, 

 unless backed by an intimate acquaintance with all 

 peculiar circumstances with which he may have to 

 contend. 



It may be supposed that I have quoted a strong 

 case for my own purpose, and that the Hambledon 

 country might have been found impracticable for sport ; 

 but my case is confirmed by the sequel, in proof of 

 what may be done by that knowledge of country which 

 I hold so requisite, and by adapting the principles of the 

 noble science of fox-hunting to the hunting of the fox 

 wherever he is to be found. A good run is a good run 

 anywhere, and is, I beheve, at the present time, no 

 uncommon occurrence in that same province, although 

 beset by wood and bog on one side, and wood and 

 flint upon the other. But to my point, without further 

 digression. 



It was not, I think, more than two or three seasons 

 after Mr. Osbaldeston's brief sojourn in Hants, that 



