SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING 227 



for which he was held responsible, and during the 

 winter months stopping the earths. Such a situa- 

 tion could not be considered a sinecure, for it 

 entailed upon him the worst of all work night 

 work ; as a reward for which, however, he had the 

 privilege of seeing his foxes found occasionally on 

 his rough pony, when not overtired with the 

 previous night's exertions in barring them out, 

 although not able ofttimes to see a run, unless of a 

 very slow character, in which from knowledge of 

 country and the line of foxes, he would sometimes 

 cut a conspicuous figure. 



In cub-hunting lay his chief amusement : first 

 stopping the earths and then awaiting the arrival 

 of the hounds at the covert-side about four o'clock 

 in the morning, and after being in at the death 

 of a cub or two, he returned to his breakfast, the 

 remainder of the day being at his own disposal. 

 The picture of this sporting character of bygone 

 days is still present to our mind, accompanied by 

 his rough terrier, with a spade thrown over his 

 right shoulder, and holding in the other hand a 

 lantern, the rein hanging loose on his pony's neck. 

 In this respect things are now greatly changed 



" Othello's occupation's gone." 



Gamekeepers claim the right of stopping earths 

 in the coverts over which they are appointed 

 protectors, and in non-preserved localities the 

 woodman has the same privilege ; in others of 

 small extent hedgers and ditchers employed on the 

 farm undertake the business. The latter class of 



Q 2 



