34 ANECDOTES. 



make manifest to us the extent of the reason they 

 possess." 



For the authenticity of the following anecdotes, I 

 think I may safely vouch ; the first I had from Thomas 

 Smith (kennel huntsman to Mr. Musters), a person 

 who was not only an eye-witness of the fact, but one 

 of the actors in this interesting performance, at the 

 time it took place, and since that I have had the 

 account confirmed by Mr. M. himself. With regard 

 to the second, I can assure my readers that it happened 

 at my own kennel, and, therefore, I can myself answer 

 for the truth of it. Almost all fox-hunters know, or at 

 any rate, must have heard, of Mr. Musters, of Colwick, 

 and all who have been gratified by the performance of 

 his celebrated pack, either in Nottinghamshire, or in 

 the Pytchley country, must be convinced, that he is 

 decidedly the most skilful amateur-huntsman that ever 

 cheered a hound, and can draw forth the hidden powers 

 and capabilities of that animal, on a bad-scenting day, 

 to a greater degree than any man in England* — the 

 attachment which his hounds always evince towards 

 him, when approaching them on a hunting morning, is 

 most particularly striking, and those who have so 



* Mr. Musters is deservedly placed at the head of the list of all huntsmen, 

 whether amateurs or professionals ; he has brought up and instructed more ser- 

 vants as huntsmen, whippers-in, and feeders, than all the rest of the masters of 

 hounds put together. Within these few years there were no less than five hunts- 

 men hunting crack packs of hounds at the same time, all of whom had learned 

 their first rudiments under this skilful performer. Mr. Musters has had many 

 imitators, but no rivals ; when working-, there is an indescribable communion 

 between him and his pack, which has been attained by no one else, and which 

 cannot be better explained than in the plain unvarnished v.ords of Will Price, 

 ■who was his first whipper-in previous to his entering the service of his Grace of 

 Cleveland. In describing to nie JNIr. Musiers's style of haD(ning his pack, he said 

 it put him in mind of a gentleman " coaxing some young gal, he did it so nice 

 and 'ticintr !" 



