54 THE NOBLE SCIENCE 



given spot. Having said tliat he is, eventually, himself 

 to become a hmitsman, it is needless to make any repe- 

 tition of requisites enumerated as essentials in the last 

 chapter. His temper will be equally called upon. He 

 must never sulk, nor hesitate in obedience to any com- 

 mand received from the huntsman appointed over him, 

 who is answerable for all proceedings, right or wrong. 

 Towards hounds he must temper a firmness of resolu- 

 tion in the vigorous execution of his office, with mode- 

 ration, remembering that " there is reason in roasting 

 of eggs ; " and he is not to add to the punishment of 

 a hound, by giving vent to his own irritation at the 

 trouble he may have found in " getting at him.'' Dogs 

 will not, like Mrs. Bond's ducks in the song, " come and 

 be killed ; " they not only know when they are wrong, 

 and have incurred the lash, but are good physiogno- 

 mists, reading your intentions in your looks ; and it is 

 not surprising that a young hound, on hearing, " bless- 

 ings upon his carcass," accompanied by a fervent pro- 

 mise to " cut him in two " if he is to be got at, with 

 corresponding evidences of determination in perform- 

 ance, should endeavour to take the will for the deed, 

 and lead Mr. Jack or Bill a dance, which generally ends 

 in trebling the castigation in the long run, and not un- 

 frequently in being ridden over and left for dead. This 

 should not be ; hounds, if stmck, and we all know 

 that struck they must be, and severely too, should be 



