150 MR. HALLS HOUNDS. 



a week may be divided from the very outset, which 

 is a most excellent plan. Five years since, being in 

 Somersetshire, in August, I had the pleasure of stay- 

 ing with Mr. Hall, who had then lately purchased 

 Mr. Codrington's hounds at a long price ; he hunted 

 his dogs and bitches separate, through the whole of 

 cub-hunting, his men-having plenty of horses for five 

 days a week, and what was of equal importance, 

 there was no lack of blood, forty-five litters of cubs 

 being known to be safe, besides other outsiders which 

 were not enumerated. This was as it should be, 

 I am also aware that many other masters of hounds 

 pursue the same plan from the very commencement 

 of the season. When the young hounds begin to 

 show an inclination to work, and to enjoy a scent, 

 and to be tolerably steady, about a fortnight before 

 the regular season, the two packs should be formed ; 

 they may then be allowed to work over the open, and 

 such as are noisy or cannot go the pace, or are guilty 

 of any flagrant vices, should be immediately put 

 back ; at this time it is the cystom in some kennels 

 to rest for a week, dress, and give a mild dose of 

 physic. I should consider a week spent in hard work 

 to have a much more salutary effect, as nothing is so 

 prejudicial as too much rest, particularly during the 

 autumn ; and by hunting three days instead of four, 

 it is a very easy thing to give each pack a mild dose, 

 which is all that is requisite. It is an excellent prac- 

 tice to stir up every cover before November, except 

 where the foxes are very shy of lying, and where 

 " the find" is always uncertain; it teaches them to 

 break sooner when they are regularly hunted; and 



