THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 175 



smile; may be miintelligible to those who view what we 

 term sport, as only the variety of certain means to the 

 same end ; but there is as much difference, in this respect, 

 in hunting, as there is between the family shot of the 

 pot-hunter, into the brown of the covey, and the skilful 

 selection of the marksman in the objects of his unerring 

 aim. It may be a pretty boast, to talk of having killed 

 ninety-nine out of a hundred foxes ; but the question 

 is, hozo they are killed — blood is essential to the courage 

 of the pack ; but the mischief done by unfair attempts 

 to attain it, far outweighs any benefit to be derived 

 from the acquisition. It is no very difficult matter to 

 ride down a half -hunted fox, or even one that has never 

 been pressed, if a man set about it as earnestly as I 

 have seen some miscalled huntsmen. By the aid of a 

 few telegraphic signals, at different points, added to a 

 knowledge of country ; by riding alongside leading 

 hounds, lifting them on, without suffering them to feel 

 a scent, leaving the body to follow as they best can, 

 with the help of the whippers-in, and as many of the 

 field as may consider their utility established by the 

 acknowledged importance of their hunting w^hips; by 

 clapping round to the opposite side of a covert through 

 which a fox has gone, in time to view him out, or per- 

 haps meet him, the sanguinary object may be fully 

 accomplished, and the scale of merit regulated by the 

 shew of noses on the kennel door. But can any ani- 



