THE NOBLE SCIENCE, 181 



was to a race-horse, when he started for the St. Leger 

 — because they are not fit to go. The condition of 

 hounds is everything ; the art of attaining it is no less 

 difficult than that of training a horse. You cannot 

 make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, nor can you, by 

 the best condition, make bad hounds essentially better ; 

 but, without the best condition, good hounds may be 

 essentially bad, though their want of success will be attri- 

 buted to any but the real and prevailing cause ; many 

 bring out hounds in bad order, simply because they do 

 not know how to get them into better ; others, from 

 ill-judged economy, and want of proper method in the 

 internal regulation of the kennel department. Some 

 fail for want of work, others from the excess of it. In 

 short, there is no end to the arguments bearing upon 

 the state of the materiel upon which all sport depends ; 

 but, as it may be incorrect to sum up a chapter devoted 

 to a run, with an essay upon the condition which we 

 supposed to be perfect at its commencement, we will 

 leave the pack at their entrance to the kennel, and 

 hereafter consider what the huntsman and his people 

 have to do upon their return. 



