SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING. 203 



hounds, without any ill effects, although the "hark 

 halloa ! " system, if frequently pursued, would 

 soon inevitably spoil them, A spirt of this kind 

 at the end of a long day rouses the spirits of 

 hounds and horses, and the former knowing by 

 their master's cheer and manner, when riding at 

 their head, that the fox is in view before them, 

 strain all their energies to the utmost. By the 

 law, or custom rather, of foxhunting, one master 

 has no right to send a whipper-in forward to stop 

 his neighbour's earths ; when the hunted fox's 

 point is evidently to reach that place of refuge, he 

 must catch him before he can find sanctuary there, 

 which is held to be sacred ground ; neither has 

 he any right to disturb the earth by pickaxe or 

 spade. It is considered fair, however, to dislodge 

 him when running into a small pipe or drain, if 

 he can be bolted by a stick or terrier ; although 

 this is sometimes looked upon as a casus belli, calling 

 for reprisals on the other side, which, for the com- 

 mon cause, ought to be avoided ; and w r e think it 

 far better to avoid collision to do by our neighbour 

 as we should like to be treated ourselves ; and if 

 our hounds are running with a moderate scent for 

 one of his coverts, to stop them from entering it. 

 An act of courtesy like this jungit amicos servit- 

 que junctos. Masters are very sensitive upon this 

 point, and whatever they may say, they do not 

 like to hear of a fox being killed in their country 

 by another pack, although ever so fairly dealt with. 

 It is quite a different affair when hounds are on 

 good terms with their fox, and every prospect of 



