202 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



man, who fancies that a good bellyful of victuals is all 

 that can be needed for hounds, try, for one fortnight, the 

 effect of a change from oatmeal to barleymeal of the 

 best kind, or from good oatmeal to inferior; he will 

 need no further illustration of the proverb, that *^ the 

 proof of the pudding is in the eating," as far as can be 

 judged by effects, which, in dumb animals, are the only 

 attestations of its excellence. When you see that, in 

 addition to the fulness of muscle, and general appear- 

 ance of health and condition in a hound, 



" His glossy skin, 

 In lights or shades by Nature's pencil drawn, 

 Reflects the various tints — " 



you may judge that there is nothing amiss in the home 

 department; but, if you see him scratching a staring 

 coat which is nearly threadbare, if not quite out at 

 elbows, eagerly dashing, on his w^ay to covert, at every 

 pool to take a drink, which, by hounds of a better 

 regulated menage, would be disdained at such an hour 

 of the morning, rely upon it, that 



*' There's something rotten in the state of Denmark." 



Most huntsmen prefer feeding hounds precisely the 

 same all the year round, to making any change, varying 

 only the quantity ; but, during the heat of summer, less 

 of flesh and more of vegetable diet must tend to cool 

 the blood. Potatoes, and any greens coming under the 



