170 HUNTING DIRECTORY. 



The Steadiness of a Pack of Fox Hounds 



follow his hounds ; and consequently they have greater 

 scope to exert their genius, if they have any." 



There ai*e many sportsmen, however, who do not agree 

 in opinion with Beckford on the subject just quoted ; 

 nor can I help thinking that the success of the chase 

 depends more upon the genius of the huntsman, than 

 upon that of the first whipper-in. The making and 

 keeping the pack steady depends much upon him, as a 

 huntsman should seldom, if ever, flog a hound. When 

 a whipper-in is desirous to stop the head hounds, he 

 should, if possible, get to the head of them before he 

 attempts to stop them. Rating behind is often of little 

 use, and if they are in cover, it may prevent him from 

 ascertaining which are the culprits. When hounds are 

 running a fox, he should content himself with stopping- 

 such as are riotous, and should get them forward. " They 

 may be condemned on the spot, but the punishment 

 should be deferred till the next day, when they may be 

 taken out on purpose to commit the fault, and receive 

 the punishment." 



Sometimes a whipper-in will rate young hounds, when 

 he perceives them about to commit a fault ; this may 

 prevent them for that time; but will not deter them 

 pei'haps for the future, as they will bo very likely to do 

 the same again on the first opportunity which is presented 

 to them. He should let them alone till he has completely 

 ascertained what they would be at— and he may then 

 chastise them according to the degree of the offence. If 

 when a whipper-in rate a hound, the hound pays no at- 

 tention to it, he should take him up immediately and 

 give him a severe flogging. Whippers-in are too apt to 



