HUNTING THE FOX 15 



possibly be formed by keeping them in view. In 

 any case, a visit should be paid to the Kennel, not 

 forgetting the boiling-house. If the Kennel and 

 its inmates, both human and animal, are clean 

 and tidy, and the food thick, with not too much 

 soup in it — none would probably be better — then 

 the impression is favourable. 



Let us assume that the Huntsman is engaged 

 and has entered on his duties on May 1. Although 

 the M.F.H. is ultimately responsible for him and 

 should know what he is doing, there is such a thing 

 as the Master interfering too much in the details 

 of kennel management. When a man is engaged 

 for the important position of Huntsman, he is 

 worthy of a free hand to develop the condition of 

 the Hounds in his own way, and in modern phrase 

 it "is up to him to make good." His employer 

 should satisfy himself before engaging him that 

 he is likely to proceed upon sound principles with 

 regard to feeding and exercise, the breaking of 

 young Hounds, and the management of Whelps, 

 and then leave the execution of these principles 

 to the servant, who if he cannot be trusted to 

 produce his pack in the autumn fit to kill an after- 

 noon Fox, and well-broken enough not to need 

 the whip, had better make way for some one else. 

 The suggestion that the Master may be well advised 

 to leave the Huntsman to do his own work in the 

 Kennel is not meant to imply that he should neglect 



