THEIR HIGH METTLE. 201 



required a considerable outlay of whipcord on their 

 carcasses ; in short, from that time, they were ever 

 on the look-out for an escapade, and even after 

 being entered at fox, would break away from the 

 huntsman for any covert they took a fancy to, and, 

 l^y Jack's account, they kicked up the devil's 

 own row in some gentleman's park before he and 

 the other whip could get at them : but when they 

 did catch these young vagabonds, they were well 

 served out by Jack and Tom. 



It may be gathered from this that well-bred 

 fox-hounds are composed of very excitable mate- 

 rials, or high mettle, which, when brought to bear 

 on their legitimate chase, is of the very first im- 

 portance. The young hounds rnentioned as 

 having run the huntsman's horse were an unen- 

 tered draft from Lord FitzwilUam's kennel. The 

 most riotous puppies generally make the best 

 hounds when steadied by work, and on that ac- 

 count should never be allowed rest or respite until 

 that object is accomplished. There is, however, as 

 I have before mentioned, a great want of attention 

 to this practice in large establishments, where the 

 young hounds, when sent in from their walks, 

 are kept penned up within the kennel walls for 

 weeks together, without air or exercise. It is not 

 to be wondered at, therefore, that when first let 



