THE SOUND OF THE HOKN. 145 



attached to the master's saddle (particularly if a 

 young man), which is often productive but of one 

 result — confusion. The sound of the horn, when 

 in judicious hands, is like a word spoken in due 

 season, how good is it ! But I have known disas- 

 trous work with a young Master and young hunts- 

 man, each blowing apparently against the other, 

 to the annihilation of sport, and distraction of 

 the pack. To render the horn effective, it should 

 never be used except on particular or pressing 

 occasions ; hounds then know its meaning, and fly 

 to it eagerly ; but the perpetual toot, toot, toot, 

 one hears with some packs, recalls to mind the 

 fable of the boy and the wolf. Hounds care no 

 more for this continual tooting than for the bray- 

 ing of an ass. Two or three sharp twangs, when 

 the fox is found, and again when he breaks covert, 

 will get the pack well together and away ; but 

 beyond this the horn should be rarely handled. 



As I would concede to a huntsman in the field 

 full and free scope to display his talents and inge- 

 nuity, so should I expect a proper attention to 

 his duties in every other respect. What noblemen 

 and gentlemen have condescended to do, is cer- 

 tainly not to much too expect from a huntsman ; 

 and however tired and fagged he may be after a 

 hard day, he is bound to feed his hounds before 



