160 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



as I did not think, but knew, they had been for the pre- 

 ceding five minutes. The fanner good humouredly 

 remarked, that " seeing was not beheving," and he pro- 

 bably read a lesson that day, which may avail him, as a 

 fox-hunter, for the rest of his time. If you see hounds, 

 which you know are to be depended upon, running out of 

 sight or hearing of others, and have not time or oppor- 

 tunity of giving notice to huntsman or whippers-in, you 

 cannot do wrong in endeavouring to lift those which are 

 upon no scent, with a " go hark cry, hark forward, for- 

 ward hark !" capping them on, at the same time, to those 

 that are on the line ; and, again, after viewing a fox 

 away, you will never do otherwise than good in stopping, 

 or doing your best to stop, a single hound, or even two 

 couples, which may get a start too far in advance of the 

 body. The pack will never relish a scent while there is 

 anything between them and their fox upon the Kne, 

 which is the reason for the irreparable mischief caused 

 by sheep dogs, greyhounds, or any stray cur that may 

 have coursed a fox during a run, causing a sudden vari- 

 ation of scent, which is often irrecoverable. As there 

 are exceptions to every general rule, so are these cases 

 instances of distinction from the general and ruling 

 principle of non-intervention, on the part of the field. 

 All are equally ready to admit, that " too many cooks 

 must spoil the broth ;" but I am all for encouraging, on 

 the paii: of those who wish thoroughly to participate in 



