74 HUNTING THE FOX 



proposition opens the door to the old question, 

 " What is genius ? " Whether or no it be really 

 the " infinite capacity for taking pains " is a matter 

 that will not be pursued here. But it can be 

 asserted without fear of contradiction that no 

 Huntsman has ever risen to eminence without 

 understanding the science and art of Fox-hunting, 

 and being fortified in his application of them by 

 the never-varying use of an intelligent and in- 

 telligible technique. The method and style of 

 handling Hounds both before and after finding the 

 Fox have already been dealt with. The proper use 

 of the horn and voice remain to be considered. 

 These are of primary importance, being the instru- 

 ments through which the Pluntsman expresses 

 himself to his Hounds, his men, and his Field. 

 They should both be used with the same purpose 

 and in the same manner. Their import should be 

 clear beyond all manner of doubt to all parties 

 concerned. Each phase of the Hunt has its appro- 

 priate dog-language and appropriate notes on the 

 horn, which should always be used at the proper 

 time — and on no other occasion. For instance, 

 any one who understands Fox-hunting should be 

 able to stand a mile down wind of the Huntsman 

 and tell by the ear alone exactly what he is doing 

 when he has unkennelled a Fox in covert. The 

 horn need never be usedjas a general rule until the 

 Fox is found, though, when approaching a small 



