24 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



of the highest rank amidst professors of the science), it 

 is but justice to add, that this would be no subject of 

 wonder to those who know Mr. Berkeley's devotion to 

 all appertaining to the breeding and management of 

 hounds. There were many in this pack coming up to 

 my notion of the heau ideal of a fox-hound, and it is 

 beyond dispute that, during the last season of Mr. 

 Berkeley's hunting the Oakley country, their perform- 

 ance left nothing to be desired.* Palmam qui meruit 

 ferat. I have, perhaps, a natural inclination, when I 

 see a pack well conducted, to give a full share of credit 

 to the master ; but I am strengthened in my observa- 

 tion upon Mr. Berkeley's knowledge in these matters, 

 and in attributing the excellence of these hounds to his 

 judgment, by the appearance of some letters upon his 

 " system," published not very long since in the " New 

 Sporting Magazine," under the signature, if I rightly 

 remember, of '' Skim," or something of that kind (but 

 of this I am not positive, not having them to refer to) . 

 I read them on the supposition that they were pub- 

 lished on authority, and can call to mind enough to 

 know, that if I attempted to give any description of my 

 own ideas upon the same points, I should find myself 

 insensibly betrayed into the use of the same language. 

 I shall think that 1 have reason to be satisfied with 

 any effort of my own pen, should it produce anything 



* At the time alluded to, there was no prospect of that which has since 

 taken place, the resumption of the country by its former legitimate pos- 

 sessor. The secession of the Marquis was altogether productive of 

 " wonderful work in the country." 



