MOBBING THE FOX 9 



would allow the feeder to drag him forth, much against 

 the inclination of his foster-mamma, who continued 

 Hcking his face as if he belonged to her family. Of course 

 the child got a good share of cuffs and smacks to counter- 

 balance these canine caresses, and an extra quantity of 

 soap and water, to cleanse him from the impurities with 

 which he came in contact. But all these failed to cure 

 him of his propensity to gambol with the tenants of the 

 kennel, since on another occasion he was found in the 

 midst of the pack, riding on the back of one of the largest 

 dog-hounds, licking him about the head with his tiny 

 whip, for which the hound cared no more than for the 

 blow of a rat's tail, and surrounded by the other hounds, 

 who appeared most anxious to obtain some little share of 

 the favours the child was lavishing on the honoured 

 individual. 



Mobbing, or hallooing a fox to death formed no part 

 of our system ; we were glad to give him a fair start, in 

 the hope of his giving us in return a good run, having 

 more reliance on our hounds' noses, speed, and power^ 

 to overhaul him at last ; and, to tell the truth, we were not 

 so over-burdened with the wily animals as to dispose of 

 them in the reckless manner adopted in the present day. 



The longitude and latitude of old fox-hunting countries 

 have been often severely commented upon, and yet the 

 evil still continues ; the generality of hunting countries 

 being still too extensive, and not sufficiently worked to 

 keep foxes in wind. Large coverts, especially, require 

 drawing once a week throughout the season, and I 

 remember a large wood called Southgrove, which, when 

 belonging to the Craven country, during Mr. Warde's 

 tenure of office, was of little use, save for cub-hunting ; 

 on being transferred to Assheton Smith, who met there 



Cf 



