192 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



hounds ; if any are missing, which the sound of the 

 horn has not reclaimed, the second whipper-in must 

 find them ; but they are all right, and have returned to 

 their kennel, not jaded, drooping, and spiritless. Stea- 

 dily as they have followed at the horses' heels, they 

 have that condition which would have enabled them, 

 had they been required, to perform exactly as well with 

 an afternoon fox, as they have done with the hero of 

 this morning ; not having been cowed, or unneces- 

 sarily overworked, they acquire those lasting powers of 

 endurance which will enable them to go through the 

 longest day, and beat the stoutest fox that ever wore a 

 brush. Mr. Smith, more than once, asserts his opinion, 

 that " there are foxes which, when fit to go, can beat 

 any hounds." This may be correct ; but, I think, some 

 few huntsmen of my acquaintance will share my desire 

 to meet with them — to let the mettle of each be fairly 

 tried on a good scenting day. I have seen many packs 

 of hounds which have not been a match for any good 

 fox, when they have left their kennel in the morning, 

 much less after an hour's work in covert. You may 

 bring out twenty couples of well-bred, well-shaped, and, 

 perhaps, if in good condition, good foxhounds ; but they 

 may be no more like a pack of foxhounds than Plenipo 

 was to a race-horse, when he started for the St. Leger 

 — because they are not fit to go. The condition of 

 hounds is everything ; the art of attaining it is no less 



