THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 383 



upon it, when otherwise obtained. Kill a good fox when- 

 ever you can ; it will satisfy your hounds, yourself, your 

 field, and the farmers. Mob a bad one in a corner if you 

 like; neither he nor his produce will show you any sport; 

 but never dig out a good one, unless your hounds have 

 almost viewed him into the spout or drain, which he has 

 got into, and you can bolt him before the excitement of 

 your hounds subsides. Never break ground in a country 

 belonging to another pack of hounds, nor dig for a fox in 

 a main earth in your own. Many a vixen fox, heavy with 

 young, has been killed by this means, in the spring, instead 

 of the one that was hunted and marked into it by the 

 pack ; and be assured that sportsmen do not estimate the 

 goodness of a pack of foxhounds by the noses nailed 

 against their kennel-door. Lastly, keep your field back 

 from pressing on your hounds in chase, and still more 

 so when in difficulties, as much as in you lies ; but do 

 not suffer your zeal to carry you too far on this point. 

 Remember the apostolic precept Be courteous. Neither 

 approach too near the hounds yourself, when at fault, as 

 the steam from even one horse is perplexing to them. 



" Beckford says that, ' although it is not necessary that 

 a huntsman should be a man of letters, it is necessary that 

 he should be a man of understanding.' This also applies 

 to a whipper-in ; and I am bound to say, I never saw a 

 steady pack of hounds without at least one good and 

 efficient man at this post ; but I have seen many of those 

 red-coated youths, who might have been better employed 

 at the plough's tail who, after the manner of Cicero's 

 lawyer, belonged to the profession, but not to the science. 

 Beckford assigns to him the most important duties, and 

 leaves me but little to add. I merely recommend him, 

 when his huntsman is casting his hounds, to turn them 

 to him, when necessary, as gently as he can, compatible 

 with despatch, and with little noise ; by which means 

 they will draw towards him, trying for the scent as they 

 go ; whereas loud and repeated rates and cracks of the 

 whip make hounds fly to their huntsman at this time 

 with their heads up. When they are drawing properly 

 towards him, not another word need be said ; a whipper- 

 in merely riding outside of them will, or, at least, ought 

 to be sufficient. 



" It is scarcely necessary to observe that a whipper-in 

 to foxhounds, to be perfect, should be an accomplished 



