HUNTING DIRECTORY. 49 



Naming of Whelps. 



'* Young hounds are commonly named when first put 

 out, and sometimes indeed ridiculously enough ; nor is 

 it easy, when you breed many, to find suitable or har- 

 monious names for all ; particularly, as it is usual to name 

 all the whelps of one fitter, with the same letter, which 

 (to be systematically done) should also be the initial letter 

 of the dog that got them, or the bitch that bred them. 

 A baronet of my acquaintance, a literal observer of the 

 above rule, sent three young hounds of one litter to a 

 friend, all their names beginning, as he said, with the 

 letter G. Goivler, Govial, and Galloper. 



*' It is indeed of little consequence what huntsmen call 

 their hounds ; yet, if you dislike an unmeaning name, 

 would it not be as well to leave the naming of them till 

 they are brought home ? They soon learn their names, 

 and a shorter fist would do. — Damons and Delias would 

 not then be necessary ; nor need the sacred names of 

 Titus and Trajan be thus degraded. It is true there are 

 many odd names which custom authorises ; yet I cannot 

 think, because some drunken fellow or other, has 

 christened his dog Tipler, or Tapster, that there is the 

 least reason to follow the example. Pipers and Fidlers, 

 for the sake of their music, we will not object to ; but 

 Tiplers and Tapsters your kennel will be much better 

 without." 



In regard to the size as well as the colour of hounds, 

 it is not fikely that there should be an union of opinion ; 

 but if the matter be attentively considered, it will, I 

 think, be found that hounds of the middle size are the 

 strongest, and capable of enduring the greatest fatigue. 

 A good hound cannot be of a bad colour, it may be said : 



