SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING. 155 



very meritorious manner, whereas he has just made 

 a hash of it — done what a steadier man would 

 have avoided. 



Two of the most necessary quahfications in a 

 huntsman to foxhounds are self-possession and deci- 

 sion ; he should never be in a hurry, although, when 

 emergencies arise, quick in deciding how to act. 

 A good eye and ear are also indispensables, to see, 

 when hounds are running, how far the leading 

 couples have carried the scent ; and the organ of 

 hearing perfect, to detect what is going on in covert 

 when he cannot avail himself of his eyesight. A 

 fine ear reveals to him at once whether his hounds 

 are running a stale or fresh scent ; and he can also 

 tell how near they may be to their fox, with as 

 much certainty as if he were an eye-witness of 

 their doings. Although the observed of all obser- 

 vers, he should never be thinking of what his field 

 may be thinking or saying about himself ; regarding 

 only his hounds and his business — et totus in illis 

 ^—he should shut his ears to all other things; and 

 we do not think the master should ever interfere 

 with him or dictate in the field, which would de- 

 stroy his self-confidence. Beckford has said that 

 he would prefer a first-rate whipper-in and a second- 

 class huntsman, as more likely to aff*ord sport ; and 

 we quite agree with him, that a stupid whipper-in 

 is the greatest drawback to the efiicient working 

 of the pack, since upon him so much depends. 



The first whipper-in may be said very often, if 

 not always, to hold the trump card in his hand, if 



