THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 251 



the sacrifice of the requisite sum as a necessary evil ; in 

 short, to make the best of a bad bargain. Having cited 

 Hertfordshire, as eminently under the influence of an 

 extravagance in expenditure, I am bound to state, that in 

 no other country can the subscription be better con- 

 ducted. Not only is a liberal sum subscribed on paper, 

 but (what is not always the same thing) it is most 

 regularly paid. The payment is guaranteed by a few 

 spirited members of the club, and by the indefatigable 

 exertions of another, who kindly undertakes the oflSce 

 of secretary to this committee, the funds are forth- 

 coming when due. In addition to a subscription of 

 £1450 towards the hounds (the actual expenses of 

 which I will hereafter transcribe), £100 are given by the 

 club towards the expenses of the country ; and all 

 casual contributions are applied to the same purpose. 

 It is especially incumbent upon me to avow, that in 

 no quarter of the globe can a master of hounds be 

 more generously supported than in this our provincial. 

 It is not against effects so much as causes, therefore, 

 that I inveigh, in denouncing the principle of high pay- 

 ment for that which should, and might, have been 

 obtained gratis, at the origin of the hunt. And when 

 we consider that the same money might be better 

 diverted into other channels ; that two or three hundred 

 pounds are no trifle in the calculation of expenses ; it is 

 well to warn the novice, anxious only for the end, and 

 reckless as to the means, against sowing the seed which, 

 when once rooted, cannot easily be exterminated. 

 " Prill cipiis obsta, sero medicina paratur." 



