SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING. 153 



to be kept waiting half-an-hour even for his accus- 

 tomed meal. The fact is, that he is rather suffer- 

 ing at that time from irritability of stomach than 

 infirmity of disposition. As "hope deferred 

 maketh the heart sick," so dinner deferred niaketh 

 the stomach angry. Judging from our own 

 feelings, we may imagine those of animals when 

 similarly affected. By feeding our hounds with 

 the substantial meal about 3 o'clock P.M., in 

 moderate quantity, we calculated upon their not 

 being so lean as others fed so much earlier in the 

 day, and consequently better able to endure the 

 fatigue of hard work, bearing in mind Beckford's 

 observation, that a half-starved hound will never 

 kill an afternoon fox. 



Having mentioned some of the domestic duties 

 of a huntsman in kennel management, we must 

 now treat of his capabilities in the field a wide 

 field for the display of all the talents the cleverest 

 man may possess ; and since in all occupations or 

 possessions the power of mind becomes conspicuous 

 above others not so highly gifted, so will it prove 

 in this instance. A huntsman must possess intel- 

 lect of a superior order, or his career will never be 

 a brilliant one. As to voice, we think that of 

 secondary importance, or we might add, of no 

 importance at all, although the tones well modu- 

 lated ever fall pleasantly upon the ear. If hounds 

 understand the meaning of their master's language 

 it is enough ; and as they are supposed to find a 

 fox, there is no merit in his finding him for them. 

 Knowledge of country is of very great importance 



