2 MANAGEMENT OF HOUNDS. 



of the master himself, and his consequent dependence 

 upon servants, or a natural disposition to lavish expen- 

 diture. Some men will do as much with a dollar as 

 others would with a guinea. Let no one, however, 

 imagine that the mastership of a pack of foxhounds is a 

 trifling matter, or his position a very enviable one ; it is 

 attended with many expenses, great responsibility, and 

 imceasing exertion both of mind and body. 



To the young aspirant, then, for honours in the noble 

 science, I recommend the quotation at the head of this 

 letter. The best race-horse would make a sorry ap- 

 pearance at the winning post without training, and no 

 man should undertake the management of a pack of 

 foxhounds who has not been accustomed from early 

 youth to field sports. 



The first pony I possessed when a boy was given me 

 by my father, on the condition that after hunting I 

 should clean and dress him myself. In those days, 

 when clipping was not in fashion, this task was far 

 from being a pleasant one ; in addition to being pretty 

 well tired myself, and sometimes wet to the skin, I was 

 obliged to pull ofi" my coat and set to work in good 

 earnest ; rubbing and scrubbing a thick coat of hair, 

 matted with clay and dirt, I found no ver}' great relish 

 for after the novelty of the thing had worn off", and I 

 accordingly remonstrated and begged to decline any 

 further experiment in this line of business. My father's 

 reply, however, soon cut short any further rebellion : 

 **My law is the Maw of the Medes and Persians, which 

 altereth not;' if you don't like to clean your pony, 1 

 will sell him. I gave him to you on that condition, and 

 for a particular purpose ; that when you have servants 



