392 HUNTING. 



in woodlands as possible, and in the most unpopular 

 districts." The present plan of mixing young and 

 old hounds together is far preferable to this, not 

 only as they can then take their turn in the good 

 and popular " districts,'' but, by having the as- 

 sistance of older hounds in chase, the younger ones 

 are less likely to do wrong. 



Mr. MeynelFs idea of perfection in hounds, in 

 chase, Mr. Hawkes says, " consisted of their being 

 true guiders in hard running, and close and patient 

 hunters in a cold scent, together with stoutness." 

 Their imperfections, " over-running the scent, and 

 babbling, were considered their greatest faults." 

 To all this every sportsman must assent. 



The following passage contains perhaps rather 

 more of enthusiasm than of fact, although a quali- 

 fication is given to it in the concluding sentence. 

 " Mr. Meyneirs hounds," says Mr. Hawkes, " were 

 criticised by himself and his friends in the most 

 minute manner. Every hound had his peculiar 

 talents, and was sure to have a fair opportunity of 

 displaying them (!) Some had the remarkable fa- 

 culty of finding a fox, which they would do, almost 

 invariably, notwithstanding twenty or thirty couple 

 were out in the same covert. Some had the pro- 

 pensity to hunt the doubles and short turns. Some 

 were inclined to be hard runners. Some had a re- 

 markable faculty of hunting the drag of a fox, which 

 they would do very late in the day. And some- 

 times the hardest runners were the best hunters ; 

 and fortunate was the year when such excellences 

 prevailed." 



