CHAPTER VI. 



Of the Huntsman and the Whippers-in, and their respec- 

 tive Duties. 



It very often happens, that the laborious or working 

 classes of the community foolishly repine at the situation 

 in which Providence has placed them, and are dissatis- 

 fied with the means by which they obtain a livelihood ; 

 to this, however, the huntsman is an evident, indeed a 

 very striking, exception. A huntsman's life cannot be 

 otherwise than happy, since he is liberally paid for doing 

 that which gives him the greatest possible gratification.* 



Beckford observes that a huntsman " should be young, 

 strong, and active, bold and enterprising ; fond of the 

 diversion and indefatigable in the pursuit of it; he should 

 be sensible and good-tempered ; he ought also to be 

 sober ; he should be exact, civil, and cleanly ; he should 

 be a good horseman and a good groom ; his voice should 

 be strong and clear, and he should have an eye so quick, 

 as to perceive which of his hounds carries the scent, 

 when all are running ; and should have so excellent an 

 ear, as always to distinguish the foremost hounds when 

 he does not see them. He should be quiet, patient, and 

 without conceit. Such are the excellencies which con- 

 stitute a good huntsman : he should not, however, be 



* The above remarks will also apply to the gamekeeper; but scarcely 

 perhaps to any other avocations in life— at least, in a manner so forcible 

 and striking. 



