14 OBSERVATIONS ON FOX-HUNTING 



steady ; and what makes it the more meritoriovis, 

 he is always obhgcd to enter a great number 

 of young hounds, the Forest laming so many 

 every season. Notwithstanding all these disad- 

 vantages, his hounds are capital and very effective. 

 His Bitch pack is most elegant, and what is of 

 more consequence, they are perfect at their work. 

 I am pleased to hear you have it in contemplation 

 to hunt your own hounds, but I would advise 

 you, not to attempt so great an undertaking 

 unless you can give your zvhole time to it ; at 

 all events, you should never leave your hounds 

 from the first day of Cub-hunting until the end 

 of the season. Allow me to observe that Cvib- 

 hunting is very necessary for many reasons ; you 

 will gain by it a thorough knowledge of your 

 pack ; and they will know you, obey you, and 

 when you want them, will also carry you through 

 many difficulties they otherwise would not. I 

 always considered the Cub-Hunting season the 

 time when a master of hounds never ought to 

 be absent, whether he hunts them himself or not ; 

 and, to a real sportsman, it is a great pleasure 

 to see his young hounds enter. 



When regular hunting begins, the laborious part 

 of a Huntsman's duty is o^■er, and the pack may 

 then be said to be formed. If he is satisfied with 

 their performance in covert, there is little doubt 



