CHAPTER VII. 



Of the Time of Meeting.— Of Blood.— The Opinion of 

 the late Mr. Meynell upon the Subject of Blood, as 

 well as on Homids and Fox Hunting. — Of Draiving. — 

 Riding to Hounds, and the Manageinent of the Run. — 

 Changing Foxes.— Hounds at Fault. — Of Halloos. 

 — Bag Foxes. — Of Fox Courts. — Treatment of Cubs. 

 — Digging Foxes. — Of Badgers. 



I have already made a few observations on the methods 

 of the ancient and modern schools of fox-hunting, in 

 which I have not forgotten to notice the difference of 

 the hour of meeting. It is not likely that any remarks 

 which I may offer upon this subject will have much in- 

 fluence upon what has become the general custom ; but, 

 it must be admitted that an early hour is most favourable 

 to sport. A fox is then more easily found than at a later 

 period, and the mol'ning is perhaps the time which gene- 

 rally affords best scent : blood is consequently more 

 easily obtained under such circumstances; which, ac- 

 cording to Beckford, constitutes the leading principle 

 and indeed the very essence of fox-hunting. He thus 

 expresses himself — " the whole art of fox-hunting being 

 to keep the hounds well in blood : sport is but a secon- 

 dary consideration with a true fox-hunter. The first is, 

 the killing of the fox — hence arises the eagerness of 

 pursuit and the chief pleasure of the chase. I confess 

 I esteem blood so necessary to a pack of fox-hounds, 



