126 HUNTING DIRECTORY. 



Management of 



pint and a half of syrup of buckthorn, for about forty 

 couple of hounds." I am induced to suppose syrup of 

 buckthorn alone will answer the purpose as well, if not 

 better, given in the proportion of a large table spoonful for 

 each hound. I have always thought, and still continue 

 to think, that the mode and manner of physicking hounds 

 partakes too much of parade and mystery, and that these 

 animals are sometimes (perhaps often) physicked, when 

 there is not the slightest occasion for such a process. 

 Of exercise, during summer, I would give them as much 

 as possible. 



" A regular course of whey and vegetables during the 

 hot months must certainly be wholesome (says Beckford, 

 in which I perfectly agree.) Every Monday and Thurs- 

 day my hounds go for whey till the hunting season begins ; 

 are kept out several hovu-s, and are often made to swim 

 through rivers during the hot weather." 



In writing to his friend, the same author observes, 

 " You little think, perhaps, how difficult it is to be a 

 good kennel huntsman, nor can you as yet know the 

 nicety that is required in feeding hounds properly. You 

 are not aware that some hounds will hunt best when fed 

 late ; others, when fed early : — that some should have 

 but little ; that others cannot have too much. I shall 

 only advise you, while you endeavour to keep your 

 hounds in good order, not to let them get too fat." 



As soon as young hounds are reconciled to the kennel, 

 they should be put into couples and walked out with 

 their attendants on foot — if amongst sheep, so much the 

 better ; and indeed amongst deer also. If any of them 

 happen to be very stubborn and troublesome, it will be 



