132 THE HI NTING F^IELD 



brushes, scissors, towels, buckets, sponges, leathers, knee- 

 pails, and such like things. Warm water is a grand specific. 

 It is like the tongue of the dog to a wound. A little sharp 

 water is useful in cases of cuts and over-reaches. The follow- 

 ing is a good recipe taken from Mr. Smith's " Diary of a 

 Huntsman," and he recommends a Whipper-in carrying a 

 small phial of it, with a feather in the cork, ready for imme- 

 diate use : — 



8 drops of oil of thyme 

 10 drops of oil of vitrol 



I ounce of spirits of wine 



As an alterative medicine the following recipe was given us 

 b)- an old sportsman endorsed " an excellent medicine for 

 horses : " — 



4 ounces of nitre 



4 do. antimony 



4 do. cream of tartar 



4 do. sulphur 



Mix, and gi\e it once or twice a week in their corn, about a 

 tablespoonful at a time. 



Instead of inquiring into an ordinary working Groom's 

 scientific acquirements, his knowledge of " Taplin," the 

 " Gentleman's Recreations," ami so on, we would infinitely 

 prefer putting him into a loose box beside a dirty hunter, and 

 seeing him set to work. There is something about a work- 

 man, be he a joiner, painter, glazier, mason, or what not, that 

 proclaims itself e\'en to the uninitiated in the craft, and in no 

 case more strongly than in a strapper. Look at the poor, 

 miserable, feeble creatures that stare at 3'our horse as you 

 dismount at a third-rate London livery stable, or in an ill- 

 frequented country inn yard : see how they potter and dribble 

 and fistle about the animal, fearing as it were to tackle with 

 him, and when they do, most likely commencing with that 

 abomination of all abominations, whipping off the saddle, and 



