HUNTING DIRECTORY. 127 



Young Hounds. 



advisable to couple them to old hounds rather than to 

 young ones. If the young hounds are particularly awk- 

 ward, they should be sent out by a few at a time. They 

 will thus soon become tractable and handy enough to 

 follow a horse. 



When they have often been walked out in the manner 

 just described, and have become obedient, a few should 

 be uncoupled at a tune, and such as oft'er to run sheep 

 or any kind of riot, should be chastised. The less, 

 however, the whip is used the better ; and if they stop 

 at the word, the whip should not be applied. If they 

 have tasted mutton, it will be much more difficult to 

 reclaun them — indeed they are to be viewed with sus- 

 picion ever after : not that there is much danger to be 

 .apprehended when hounds have been taken into the ken- 

 nel, and have undergone a regular course of disciplme, 

 as they are afterwards under proper care, and have few 

 opportunities of committing depredations, however well 

 they may be inclined for it. But accidents sometimes 

 occur. " My hounds (says Beckford) were near being 

 spoiled by the accident of a horse's falling. The whip- 

 per-in was thrown from his horse. The horse ran away, 

 and the whole pack followed him. A flock of sheep, 

 which were at a little distance, took fright, began to run, 

 and the hounds pursued them. The most vicious set on 

 the rest, and several sheep were soon pulled down and 

 killed. " I have sometimes observed even old hounds to 

 cast a sort of a longing eye when passing a small lamb. 

 Wlien hounds are taken out for air or exercise, it is 

 perhaps advisable to couple the young ones, as they are 

 prone to mischief. To air and exercise young hounds 



