QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SCHOOLMASTER. 139 



very difficult, if not impossible, to define. We are not 

 aware that animals reflect so as to combine circum- 

 stances : now, more or less, a Huntsman does or ought 

 to do this, and this tells him where to make his cast. 

 The hound (and the higher bred he is the greater 

 would be the probability of his doing it) would, if left 

 to himself, most likely, on losing all scent, make a short 

 cast or two, and then, not succeeding, would trot quietly 

 home or wherever his fancy led him. I have come in 

 contact with many Huntsmen, and I think I can say 

 that, without exception, I have invariably found the 

 man of the best general information the best Hunts- 

 man, whether in the field or kennel. Some excel in 

 the one particular, others in the other, but very few 

 indeed in both. Still I must adhere to my opinion, 

 that a real good kennel Huntsman requires the most 

 head . The chief requisites of a Huntsman in the field 

 I conceive to be, a perfect knowledge of his country, 

 both as to locality and its scenting qualities ; the points 

 for which foxes in a general way make when found in 

 particular places and with particular winds, which 

 will generally be the same, except with strange foxes 

 in the clickitting season; and, further, a perfect know- 

 ledge of the qualifications of the different hounds in 

 his pack, and consequently how far they are to be 

 trusted. Some hounds, we all know, like some men, 

 will show, or rather commit, little peccadillos when in 

 covert and out of sight : they may, nevertheless, be 

 capital chase hounds, and perfectly steady where they 

 know they are watched ; for, reflect or not, they have 

 reflection (or a something else) enough to be quite 

 awake to this. Some hounds are capital finders, and 

 will work through every foot of the thickest covert : 

 others are dandies, and do not like tearing their skins 



