THE WHIPPKR-IN. 123 



them forth. He should let his hounds alone 

 whilst they can hunt, and he should have 

 genius to assist them when they cannot. 



With regard to the whipper-in, as you keep 

 two of them (and no pack of fox-hounds is com- 

 plete without), the first may be considered as a 

 second huntsman, and should have nearly the 

 same good qualities. It is necessary besides, 

 that he should be attentive and obedient to 

 the huntsman ; and as his horse will probably 

 have most to do, the lighter he is the better ; 

 but if he is a good horseman, it will suffici- 

 ently overbalance such an objection. He must 

 not be conceited. I had one formerly, who, 

 instead of stopping hounds as he ought, would 

 try to kill a fox by himself. This fault is 

 unpardonable : he should always maintain to 

 the huntsman's halloo, and stop such hounds 

 as divide from it. When stopped, he should 

 get forward with them after the huntsman. 



He must always be contented to act an under 

 part, except when circumstances may require 

 that he should act otherwise ;* and the moment 



• When the huntsman cannot be up with the hounds, 

 the whipper-in should ; in which case, it is the business 

 of the huntsman to bring on the tail hoiuids along with 

 him. 



G 2 



