SCIE^X'E OF FOXHUNTING. 65 



fact, no styptic can be applied at this moment, from 

 their constantly shaking their ears ; and a powerful 

 young foxhound, when loosed from the muzzle and 

 couples, smarting from pain, is not so easily 

 handled as a lady's lap-dog. The ladies will squeak 

 a little when denuded of part of these graceful 

 appendages, but the dog-hounds express their dis- 

 approbation of such unceremonious usage b}^ the 

 rising of the bristles, angry growls, and efforts to 

 fight — this species of auricular confession being the 

 reverse of agreeable to Tom the feeder, who has to 

 perform the part of father confessor on the occasion, 

 by placing liis hands on the hound's head, which is 

 then taken back to the extra lodging-room, well 

 littered down with straw, on benches and floor 

 also. With this last act, the stage of puppyhood 

 may be said to terminate. 



When the entry have thoroughly regained their 

 health and spirits, the business of foxhound life 

 commences, by training for cub-hunting. Until 

 within a month of their being first taken to the 

 woodlands, the young entry will do far better by 

 themselves in their airing and exercise, during 

 which, if properly treated, they ought to become 

 as handy and obedient to their huntsman as old 

 hounds. Professionals luill adhere to the old 

 nomenclature of language, which for generations 

 has been used for foxhounds, as if intelligible and 

 natural to them as whooping to owls. The unde 

 derivatuv of these curious terms would puzzle far 

 cleverer heads than that of the late Samuel 

 Johnson, LL.D. Pronounced they may be, and 



F 



