260 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



other. In the first place, I condemn the fixed price set 

 upon each day's amusement, the extravagance of the 

 terms upon which hounds leave their kennel, as likely to 

 operate, at some time or other, seriously against bye 

 days ; and as an increase of contingent expense, which 

 might well be spared. Secondly, I assert that with all 

 the goodwill and support of the nobility, squirearchy, and 

 yeomanry, which is nowhere more liberally bestowed 

 than in Herts,* the master of hounds in this, or any 

 other country similarly circumstanced, is virtually 

 at the mercy of gamekeepers, and earth-stoppers. 

 For every fox that is found, from one end of the country 

 to the other, the sum of one sovereign is booked, 

 allowed, and regularly paid. The fees of earth-stoppers, 

 from half-a-crown, to ten or fifteen shillings, according to 

 the number of stops within the province of each, amount^ 

 on the average, to four pounds per diem. Thus, supposing 

 that the sport is limited to the finding of one fox, we 

 start with an expense of five pounds, as the smallest tax 

 upon the day — independent of all the inevitable wear and 

 tear." So long as these subordinates have as much 

 interest in foxes, as farmers have in their stock or any 

 kind of property, it is not to be wondered that the 



* The Mat-qiiis of Salisbury, who never hunts, munificently gives £200 ; 

 and Lord Verulani, who is also content to leave the representation of his former 

 prowess in the field to his sons, £100 to the liounds; besides the utmost exer- 

 tion of all the patronage and support which their extensive possessions aflbrd. 



