'2') A THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



therefore, necessarily more acquainted with country. 

 This plan would also obviate the risk of an occurrence 

 which, it is to be feared, is only too frequent, that of 

 stopping foxes under ground, by the laziness of the 

 earth-stopper — who, upon a dark winter's morning, will 

 not quit his bed— till the fox has returned to ground with 

 his breakfast. Moreover, foxes are notoriously indo- 

 lent, if not forced by hunger to exertion ; they are not 

 nice as to the freshness of their viands, rather approv- 

 ing, like some other foul feeders, of the high goiU, or 

 odour, of decomposition ; and when the pantry below is 

 well stored^ they are (especially in blustering weather) 

 in no haste to emerge into the blessings of daylight. If 

 compelled to the practice of that which was a military 

 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 suporintendance of huntsman or 

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



