140 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



the horn, Avithout being inspired? Indeed it is 

 quite a source of regret whenever a clever hunts- 

 man has not naturally a pleasant, melodious voice, 

 instead of one probably that may be compared to 

 the grunting of a pig — which has been the case 

 before now. When this is the case, he should try 

 every method to improve it. It should be recol- 

 lected, that many men who go out with hounds have 

 no opportunity of enjoying the sport beyond the 

 find, which is, with the assistance of the voice, often 

 one of the best parts of the day's sport ; but to 

 make it so vox et prceterea nihil will not do, for 

 unless he has a soul for sport, even when most in 

 earnest he cannot cause such delightful sensations 

 to thrill through you as ought, and as always did, 

 by the voice of such a man as old Luke, huntsman to 

 the late Duke of Richmond, and Lord Egremont. 



To be perfect, a huntsman should possess the 

 following qualifications : health, memory, decision, 

 temper, and patience, a good ear, voice, and sight, 

 courage and spirits, perseverance and activity ; and 

 with these he will soon make a bad pack a good 

 one : if quick, he will make a slow pack quick ; if 

 slow, he will make a quick pack slow. But first, 

 to become a good one, he must have a fair chance, 

 and should not be interfered with by any one after 



