THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. I^t 



sa3% that where there is much riot, I prefer an excellent 

 whipper-in to an excellent huntsman. The opinion, I 

 believe, is new j I must, therefore, emleavour to explain 

 it. My meaning is this : That I think I should have better 

 sport, and kill more foxes, with a moderate huntsman, 

 And an excellent whipper-in, than with the best of hunts- 

 men without such an assistant. You will say, perhaps, that 

 a good huntsman will make a good v.'hipper-in j not such, 

 however, as I mean ; his talent must be born with- him, 

 My reasons are, that good hounds (and bad I w^ould 

 not keep) oftener need the one than the other j and 

 genius, which, in a whipper-in, if attended by obedience, 

 his first requisite, can do no hurt — in a huntsman is a 

 dangerous, though a desirable, quality; and if not ac- 

 companied with a large share of prudence, and, I may say, 

 humility, will oftentimes spoil your sport, and hurt your 

 hounds. A gentleman told me, that he heard the farnous 

 Will Dean, when his hounds were running hard in a line 

 with Daventry, from whence they were at that time many 

 miles distant, swear exceedingly at the whipper-in, saying 

 ^* fFhai business have you bereft — the man was amazed at 

 the question, " IVhy, don't you know^^ said l^e, *^ and he 

 «* d — d to you, tl^at the great earth at Daventry is openf''-^ 



