152 NOTITIA VENATIOA. 



breeding : and amongst the numerous anecdotes related of the Squire 

 of Sundorn, the following is highly characteristic : — Having run a fox 

 to ground in the neighbourhood of Hampton coppice, at a place called 

 Olton End, the residence of two old maiden ladies of the name of 

 Spooner, who were inveterate card-players, Mr. Corbet requested to be 

 permitted to dig him out. This was peremptorily refused by the old 

 maids ; and as such an objection was exceedingly ill-natured, the mas- 

 ter of the pack of course felt much disappointed inconsequence. " Give 

 my compliments to the ladies," said Mr. Corbet, " and tell them I hope 

 they will never get spadille as long as they hve. " 



After the regular hunting season has commenced, a general physick- 

 ing will be needless where the pack have been propei'ly prepared, until 

 after Christmas, when the first opportunity of administering a mild dose 

 should never be lost sight of ; but as the endurance of frost is always 

 very uncertain, it should be of such a nature that the field may be taken 

 immediately, upon the sudden return of open weather ; but when hunt- 

 ing is fairly stopped by the extreme hardness of the ground, and the 

 chance of again going to Avork is undoubtedly gone for many days, the 

 attention of the huntsman must be awakened towards allaying the excess 

 of stimuli which a long continuance of hard work and high feeding have 

 produced. Those hounds Avhich may be down in their eyes, or such as 

 may have had fits, should have a little blood taken from them, and all 

 of them may have a little dressing rubbed on their arms, briskets, 

 flanks, elbows, and hocks, if required ; a moderate dose of salts may then 

 be administered, Avith which some mix syrup of buckthorn ; it is a very- 

 strong purgative, but I am convinced itis a thing Avhich the stomach is a long 

 time getting rid of, which is evident by the manner in Avhich hounds lap 

 Avater, Avhen out, for many days after, therefore no favourite of mine. 

 Strong exercise, after the effects of the physic have Avorked off, must be 

 given for at least six or seven hours daily. Perhaps I may be singular 

 in my opinion, and not so happy as to persuade others to imbibe the 

 same taste ; but I should prefer hunting the Avhole of the long frosts, 

 providing there Avas snoAv sufficient to counteract the concussion from 

 the hard ground. One anecdote I have recorded of killing a fox in the 

 snoAV Avhich Avas ankle deep ; and I can assure my readers, that I have 

 repeatedly gone out in lai-ge Avoodlands Avhen it lay much thicker on the 

 ground, and enjoyed excellent sport. Of coiu'se I am not trying to prove 

 that it is as practicable for a man to ride over a country in a deep snoAV 

 as in open weather ; but I am thoroughly convinced from experience 

 that hounds had much better be employed in rummaging the extensive 

 district of Avoods Avhich some hunting countries are blessed Avith, during 

 a long frost, providing the snoAV is sufficiently deep, than craAvling about 

 the lanes and roads in the immediate vicinity of their kennel for tAvo 

 short hours, and spending the rest of the day on their benches, Avhile the 

 men Avho have the care of them are getting rid of their extra leisure at 

 the nearest public-house.* There is very frequently a most excellent 



* During a hard frost the (;ourts and door-ways of the kennel should invarial)ly be 

 covered with straw, to prevent the hounds from slipping about and laming them- 



