306 SYSTEM OF KENNEL AND 



science of foxhunting is not called forth. There is 

 nothing to do or think about but riding ; and there 

 are many, very many huntsmen to foxhounds good 

 up to the throat good horsemen, good riders to 

 hounds, and with good voices yet without heads. 

 Racing a fox to death is not foxhunting. Perhaps 

 we had better attempt to elucidate our meaning by 

 bringing before our readers a slight sketch of a 

 hunting run, to show the working of a scientific 

 huntsman's brains upon such an occasion. The day 

 or month of the year is not of very great con- 

 sequence, nor the whereabouts. It may suffice to 

 say, that not even an old oak-leaf swung suspended 

 upon its branches when Will Headman, with as fine 

 a lot of hounds as ever stepped over the flags of a 

 kennel, was seen approaching a beautiful fox covert, 

 containing about thirty acres of good fox lying. An 

 individual of rather aristocratic features rides down 

 to meet him. 



" A fine morning, Headman, and I hope a fine 

 scent." 



" Don't often go together, my Lord." 



te Well perhaps not ; but we shall be sure to find 

 a fox here, I suppose, and then you and your hounds 

 must make the best of him." 



" We must find him first, my Lord, and I'm not 

 very sanguine about that in these parts. There are 

 too many keepers to make sure of finding foxes." 



"You think they kill them, then, Headman? 

 although to my certain knowledge they have orders 

 to preserve them." 



"I know all about it, my Lord, or I have no 



