220 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



There is, afterwards, a cry of scarcity of foxes. If you 

 kill one of a litter, it suffices to disperse the rest ; they 

 want no further notice to quit; but, when first dis- 

 turbed, they ring the changes so frequently, that, by the 

 time it is whoo-whoop with the first of the family, the 

 rest are half beaten, and it is easy enough to take 

 advantage of them. Very frequently a detachment of 

 the pack is at the same moment disposing of another in 

 a similar manner. Your county must be very full of 

 foxes to afford such prodigality. The best plan is to 

 visit every part of the county (excepting some parti- 

 cular pet places) before November; you may then be 

 able to render an account of every htter. I may, here- 

 after, offer some remarks upon the nature of foxes, 

 their preservation, &c., with opinions on the manage- 

 ment of country, which does not necessarily form a 

 part of the duties devolving entirely upon a master of 

 hounds. With the end of cub-hunting he is prepared 

 for public service, and must remember that, for better 

 or worse, he is responsible for all appertaining to the 

 establishment. If he is to have any of the merit, to 

 enjoy any share of credit for what is well done, he is 

 equally liable to blame for any and for all defects. It 

 is very certain that, whatever may be a man's own qua- 

 lifications for the office of a master of hounds, to that 

 level will he bring his estabhshment. If he commence 



