120 HUNTING TOURS. 



and we can scarcely conceive a more gracious 

 and popular feature, calculated, as it is, to 

 promote improvement in the future excellence 

 of a pack of foxhounds. This applies particu- 

 larly in subscription countries, where the 

 master is not blessed with an extensive com- 

 mand of walks, though indeed where that is 

 the case, these friendly mementoes are not 

 without their uses. They tend very greatly 

 to promote harmony, which is inseparable 

 from success in the hunting-field, and they 

 will often make converts of those who have 

 previously been indifferent, and instigate them 

 to zealous friendship. Many a farmer, who 

 may not be a foxhunter, is stimulated by the 

 hope of gaining a cup or other piece of plate, 

 and cheerfully keeps a couple of hounds in 

 the best possible condition — very probably is 

 eventually entered to the noble science — 

 breeds a hunter, and makes his appearance at 

 the covert side. But it goes further than that, 

 a silver teapot or cream -jug has charms in the 

 estimation of a wife or daughter, who regard 

 the rising generation of the canine race with 

 infinitely more sympathy and affection than 

 when there is nothing in perspective to gloss 

 over the little peccadilloes to which youth is 



