SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING. 95 



for two reasons : first, that the value of the animal 

 has been considerably diminished, on the old score 

 that the supply is more than equal to the demand ; 

 and, secondly, that cheap articles being the order of 

 the day, and packs of foxhounds so multitudinous, 

 thistle-whipping masters won't give two guineas for 

 a bagman to turn out on high days and holidays 

 for the gratification of their supporters in green ; 

 consequently, the traffic in live foxes has diminished, 

 and the skins are now more in request than the 

 living carcases heretofore. For half a sovereign, 

 few men would lie down on the cold damp ground 

 through two or three nights, more surely committed 

 to catch the ague or rheumatism than to catch 

 their fox. Steel traps are more commonly used 

 now for old foxes ; but as every hunting country 

 has become pretty well stocked with this kind of 

 game, cubs scarcely pay for the trouble of catching 

 them. 



Grass countries possess many and great advan- 

 tages over corn -growing districts, and in some, one 

 vacation month only exists between the killing of 

 a May fox and a July cub. We may have too 

 much of any good thing ; and, fond as we are of 

 foxhunting, this short respite for hounds must and 

 does tell tales upon them, as it diminishes unneces- 

 sarily the tails of foxes. Game are allowed their 

 fence months, with the exception of hares and rab- 

 bits, which are without the pale of the law, simply, 

 we suppose, in consideration of their breeding eight 

 months out of the twelve, and, from their produc- 

 tiveness, likely to overrun the land. Foxes, still 



