412 SYSTEM OF KENNEL AND 



my lips are sealed as to our mutual object ; but thus 

 much I may say, without intending to say more, 

 I am a foxhunter by choice you are a game- 

 preserver ; yet, like my friend, you are also a master 

 of hounds." 



" A master of hounds, Fortescue ?" 



" Yes, sir. You are master of the choicest kennel 



of greyhounds I have seen ; and my friend H 



is a master of foxhounds. Yours run by sight his 

 by nose ; your game is abundant his scarce." 



" Well, then, you think, as brother masters of 

 hounds, I might spare a few hares to maintain his 

 foxes?" 



Fortescue was silent. 



" Ah ! I see ; silence gives consent. It shall be, 

 then, as you desire. I will protect foxes to this 

 extent in my home coverts, that if any one is caught 

 there in my keepers' traps, which are set alike for 

 all four-footed vermin J 



Our friend started nearly out of his chair at his 

 game being called vermin, which our host noticing, 

 said quickly 



" I meant no offence to you or your pursuit, 

 Fortescue ; but foxes in this neighbourhood are 

 considered vermin/' 



" Thank goodness, sir, they arc not so considered 

 in ours, or we should have little enjoyment of field 

 sports during the winter, and few friends to partake 

 of them. In our country foxhunting is dignified by 

 the name of ' The Noble Science / and we have one 

 of the choicest professors of it at its head, who 

 maintains a first-rate establishment at his own 



