CRITICISMS OF HIS FOLLOWERS 169 



instead of sending the puppies to the farms. Also, the 

 follower of hounds who consents to " walk a puppy " 

 must, unless he leaves the treatment entirely in the 

 hands of a servant, learn the rudiments of hound-lore, 

 though he may not be able to qualify as a scientific 

 breeder of hounds. Moreover, every hunting-man 

 should take an interest in the hounds which supply 

 him with his sport. According to the present custom, 

 the Master supplies the raw material in the shape of 

 whelps, and asks his followers to give him the finished 

 article in the shape of healthy young hounds. In 

 regard to this process of canine education I will now 

 quote three opinions. 



Peter Beckford, in Letter V. of his "Thoughts on 

 Hunting," writes: "The distemper makes dreadful 

 havoc with whelps at their walks, greatly owing, I 

 believe, to the little care that is taken of them there. 

 I am in doubt whether it might not be better to breed 

 them up yourself and have a kennel on purpose. You 

 have a large orchard paled in, which should suit them 

 exactly ; and what else is wanted might easily be 

 obtained. There is, however, an objection, that per- 

 haps may strike you, if the distemper once get amongst 

 them — they must all have it ; yet notwithstanding that, 

 as they will be constantly well fed and will lie warm, I 

 am confident it would be the saving of many lives." 

 Peter Beckford's plan has, however, been proved to be 

 impossible in the modern practice of hound-rearing. 



Mr. J. Otho Paget, who edited the last edition of 

 Beckford's "Thoughts on Hunting," published by 

 Methuen, 1899, says, in a foot-note : " Hounds, to be 



