SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING. 



177 



it in this way, and Jack, being once made acquainted 

 with the trick, they became inseparable friends ever 

 after. 



Some men have an idea that horses must be sent 

 with a certain impetus at all fences alike, and, so 

 far from slackening their pace when nearing them, 

 increase that impetus by the spur ; yet it is quite 

 evident that a horse so hurried cannot measure his 

 distance ; and, if making a mistake on taking off, 

 a rattling fall will be the consequence, which will 

 cause greater delay than if the horse had been ridden 

 at it more leisurely, enabling him to land safely on 

 the other side. We think that a little more powder 

 may be added when going at water ; but even then 

 we should prefer taking it with a brisk trot rather 

 than at full speed. We remember seeing three first- 

 flight men, one of whom was the late Lord Kintore, 

 riding furiously at a brook, each anxious to get the 

 lead, when the first horse, swerving on the brink, 

 being so close in the pace, all three went under 

 water. The most puzzling of all aquatic adven- 

 tures of this sort is when the banks are flooded to 

 some extent on both sides of the stream ; and even 

 then we have seen some men foolhardy enough 

 to gallop through it, supposing their horses could 

 distinguish where to take off. 



Now, if there is one thing more particularly to 

 be attended to in foxhunting, it is the state of the 

 ground from which your horse takes his spring; 

 never regard the lowest place in the fence, nor 

 that where the bounds have been lately mended. 

 Fresh ground is always the most safe where there 



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