HORSES AKD HOUNDS. 



CHAPTER X, 



On the economical management of a pack of fox-lioimcls — The necessity of 

 early practical knowledge relative to kennel and stable exemplified- — Ne- 

 cessity of avoiding damp— Care taken of the New Forest hounds — 

 Eennels should be sm-roimded by a waU, if possible — Lodgiug rooms, 

 courts, &c. — Expense of construction. 



In tlie following pages it will be my endeavour to point out 

 how a fox-hunting establishment may be conducted, with a strict 

 view to economy in every department, consistent with respecta- 

 bility and eflaciency. Many ardent lovers of the sport are 

 deterred from taking the management of hounds in their own 

 country, by the generally received opinion of the enormous ex- 

 penses attendant on such an establishment — and enormous in 

 many instances they certainly are. These, however, arise chiefly 

 from the ignorance or inattention of the master himself, and his 

 consequent dependence upon servants, or a natural disposition to 

 lavish expenditure. Some men will do as much with a dollar 

 as others would with a guinea. Let no one, however, imagine 

 that the mastership of a pack of fox-hounds is a trifling matter, 

 or his position a very enviable one ; it is attended with many 

 expenses, great responsibility, and unceasing exertion both of 

 mind and body. 



To the young aspirant, then, for honours in the noble science, 

 I recommend the quotation at the head of this treatise. The best 

 race-horse M^ould make a sorry appearance at the winning-post 

 without training, and no man should undertake the manage- 

 ment of a pack of fox-hounds who has not been accustomed 

 from early youth to field sports. 



The first pony I possessed when a boy was given me by my 

 father, on the condition that after hunting I should clean and 

 dress him myself In those days, when clipping was not in 

 fashion, this task was far from being a pleasant one ; in addi- 

 tion to being pretty well tired myself, and sometimes wet to 

 the skin, I was obliged to pull off my coat and set to work in 

 good earnest ; rubbing and scrubbing a thick coat of hair, 

 matted with clay and dirt, I found no very great relish for 

 after the novelty of the thing had worn offj and I accordingly 

 remonstrated and begged to decline any further experiment in 

 this line of business. My father's reply, however, soon cut 

 short any further rebellion : " My law is the ' law of the Medes 

 and Persians, which altereth not;' if you don't like to cleaa 

 your pony, I will sell him. I gave him to you on that condition. 



