306 SYSTEM OF KENNEL AND 



science of foxhunting is not called forth. There is 

 nothing to do or think about but riding ; and there 

 are many, very many huntsmen to foxhounds good 

 up to the throat — good horsemen, good riders to 

 hounds, and with good voices — yet without heads. 

 Racing a fox to death is not foxhunting. Perhaps 

 we had better attempt to elucidate our meaning by 

 bringing before our readers a slight sketch of a 

 hunting run, to show the working of a scientific 

 huntsman's brains upon such an occasion. The day 

 or month of the year is not of very great con- 

 sequence, nor the whereabouts. It may suffice to 

 say, that not even an old oak-leaf swung suspended 

 upon its branches when Will Headman^ with as fine 

 a lot of hounds as ever stepped over the flags of a 

 kennel, was seen approaching a beautiful fox covert, 

 containing about thirty acres of good fox lying. An 

 individual of rather aristocratic features rides down 

 to meet him. 



" A fine morning, Headman, and I hope a fine 

 scent.-'' 



" Don't often go together, my Lord." 



'^ Well — perhaps not ; but we shall be sure to find 

 a fox here, I suppose, and then you and your hounds 

 must make the best of him.'' 



" We must find him first, my Lord, and I'm not 

 very sanguine about that in these parts. There are 

 too many keepers to make sure of finding foxes." 



" You think they kill them, then. Headman ? 

 although to my certain knowledge they have orders 

 to preserve them." 



"I know all about it^ my Lord, or I have no 



