THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 19 



consider what stamp may be, from experience, pro- 

 nounced to be best calculated for our provincial district, 

 bearing ever in mind that our Bramingham is, to us, as 

 much or more than the Billesdon Coplow to the Melto- 

 nian ; that our Gaddesden and Kensworth Gorse are no 

 less estimable in our eyes than those of S egg's Hill, or 

 Catworth, in countries of higher repute ; and that if we 

 are more liable to that glorious uncertainty of scent, 

 upon our colder lands, than those blessed with richer 

 pastures, where scent can rarely fail, and where any 

 hound ought to run, we are no less imbued with a love 

 of the pace that kills, and it is, therefore, the more incum- 

 bent upon us to consult the cultivation of that odora 

 canum vis, and all the essential qualities of the animal 

 upon which we are the more dependant. 



There is a certain degree of luck in all things : making 

 a liberal allowance for the judgment which we are all 

 ready enough to take credit for, upon the success of 

 any scheme, it cannot be denied that there is good or 

 ill luck attendant upon their results ; and that one man 

 may be fortunate enough to attain in two years what 

 another may not accomphsh in twenty.* 



Thus, upon taking to foxhounds, I had the good 



* Mr. Barrett has afforded, in Hants, a practical illustration of this — liaving 

 succeeded to the command of the old H. H., on the death of his lamented 

 brother-in-law, Mr. Villebois — with every thing to provide de novo, his sport, 

 last season, exceeded that of many previous, and he has now a pack of hounds, 

 the sight of which will repay the trouble of a visit. 



