248 MANAGEMENT OF HOUNDS. 



premiums. These I would award somewhat after this 

 fashion — two prize goblets to the best two couples of 

 hounds, the first of £10, the second of £5; a silver 

 medal or two for others. I would also distribute £10 

 among the feeders. We have then £20 left for extra 

 expenses. 



A judge or judges should be appointed, to decide on 

 the merits of the hounds, and their awards to be given 

 after the dinner, and the prizes distributed. The annual 

 subscriptions forwarded to the Editor of BelVs Life, who 

 would, I have no doubt, receive them, and lend his able 

 assistance to the secretary to carry out the arrangements 

 about the dinner, prizes, &c. The formation of such a 

 club would be most desirable. By it all disputed points 

 might be settled as to hunting rights, &c., and good and 

 sound rules laid down. Something more than mere 

 custom has been long required, for seldom does a season 

 pass without some little emeute among masters of hounds 

 touching claims to coverts, which, were a club once esta- 

 blished, might be referred to its decision, and thus all 

 angry feelings be allayed. 



The formation of such a club would be a new era in 

 the sporting world. There might also be a fund esta- 

 blished for deserving huntsmen, whippers-in, and feeders, 

 when out of place or in reduced circumstances^ The 

 sight of twenty couples of the finest young foxhounds in 

 England would be worth travelling a good many miles 

 to witness, and would attract as many visitors nearly as 

 the Zoological Gardens. An admission fee might be 

 taken on one day, which would make up a fund for the 

 feeders. The dinner would render distant masters of 

 liounds better acquainted, and, " amid the feast of reason 



