272 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



compelled to the practice of that which was a miUtary 

 offence in garrison, the constant " lying out o' nights," 

 they must be perpetually on the qui vive. In short, I 

 can discover, amongst the many advantages, not one 

 single objection to the obligations thus imposed upon 

 foxes, to adapt their habits in accordance to our wishes, 

 excepting the difficulty of carrying the project into ex- 

 ecution. After obtaining the consent of all proprietors, 

 and making some composition with the earth-stoppers 

 for the loss of their vocation, the process of smoking 

 out, and then securing the earths, must occupy no 

 inconsiderable portion of time and labour ; nor could 

 these operations be safely committed to any but most re- 

 sponsible persons, if, indeed, they could be at all effected 

 without the personal superintendance of huntsman or 

 whipper-in, at the time when they are busily engaged 

 in cub-hunting, &c. Where a great end is to be gained, 

 the trouble attending the means of accomplishment must 

 not be considered ; the stopping of a whole country is 

 proved to be practicable beyond a question, Mr. Smith 

 being himself evidence of the fact, and, as I have before 

 said, it is an example, doubtless, worthy of imitation. I 

 must, however, take leave to differ from him once more, 

 when he says, '^ that if every earth in the country was 

 done away with, it would be a benefit to fox-hunting, 

 even as respects the breeding of foxes ; for the vixens 

 would breed above ground in furze, or would find drains 



