NOTITIA VENATICA, 97 



filled up with sucli stones and mortar as are proper and in keeping with the 

 strength of the fabric, and not plastered up with such perishable materials 

 as are inconsistent with the intention of the architect ; nor will any foolish 

 attempt be made to introduce that kind of flowery language so prevalent 

 in books of modern days, by which the reader may bo misled into a dif- 

 ferent kind of pleasure, quite foreign to that which is designed in the 

 present Avork. 



According to the acknowledged custom of fox-hunting the season 

 commences in November ; some establishments begin to advertise their 

 fixtures early in October, but the first Monday in November opens the 

 campaign in Leicestershire, invariably at Kirby Gate ; on that day may 

 be seen at this celebrated place of meeting most of the regular Melton, 

 men, and undoubtedly the finest display of horseflesh that can possibly 

 be exhibited in any country in the world. In humble imitation of the 

 great men in this metropolis of hunting, the numerous jjossessors of in- 

 ferior studs who flock to the various other minor hunting quarters, for 

 the sake of enjoying the pleasures of the chase, date the commence- 

 ment of their hunting season from this period. But it is quite another 

 thing with the master of a jiack of foxhounds ; his new year begins on 

 the very day after the last day of the l)ygone season, that is, if he hunts 

 till the 30tli of April his new season opens on the 1st of May ; and al- 

 though the following six are called the dead months by the generality 

 of fox-hunters, they are, perhaps, nearly as full of labour as the remain- 

 ing half year. From that day his whole attention must be taken up in 

 renewing his forces for the ensuing camj^aign, in weeding his ranks of 

 the disabled and vicious, and supplying their 2)laces with a new entry of 

 recruits, which may be either of his own breeding or from the drafts of 

 other kennels. The young hounds are generally sent in from their 

 quarters by the end of March ; few farmers being prevailed on to keep 

 them even to so late a period on account of their lambs and young poultry. 

 Sometimes they shut them up close in a small pigsty or outhouse, where 

 their limbs become deformed ; and, by constantly sitting on their hams 

 watching to escape, they grow sickle-hocked and weak in their quarters. 

 When a puppy is discovered to be treated in so brutal and unfeeling a 

 manner, the sooner he is rescued from his dungeon the better ; as by 

 good food, and being allowed the free use of his limbs, he may still re- 

 cover after coming into the kennel.* By the first week in April, how- 

 ever, we may conclude that they are not only all come in, but that out 

 of the whole body those which are to form the entry for the ensuing- 

 year have been selected to be " put forward" from those which, on ac- 

 count of their size not matching Avith the rest, or from infeiiority in 

 symmetry, power, colour, and general appearance, are drafted from the 

 kennel. The first thing to be done after the requisite number have been 



* The reason for confining puppies is sometimes on account of theii' hunting in the 

 fields and disturbing the neighbouring preserves ; this, however, may be easily pre- 

 vented by sending over a whipper-in to round their ears whilst at (juart?rs, which 

 will effectudllj put a stop to tleir rambling propensities for at least a month or five 

 weelis. 



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