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HUNTING.

HUNTING DIRECTORY;

CONTAINING

A COMPENDIOUS VIEW

OF THE

ANCIENT AND MODERN SYSTEMS OF THE CHASE;

THE

Method of Breeding and Managing the various Kinds of Hounds, particularly Fox Hounds : their Diseases, with a certain Cure for the Distemper;

THE

PURSUIT OF THE FOX, THE HARE, THE STAG, &c. THE NATURE OF SCENT CONSIDERED AND ELUCIDATED :

ALSO,

NOTICES OF THE WOLF AND BOAR HUNTING OF FRANCE;

Together witii

A VARIETY OF ILLUSTRATIVE OBSERVATIONS.

BY T. B. JOHNSON,

AUTHOR OF THE SHOOTER'S COMPANION, &C. &C.

Better to hunt in fields for health unbought.

Than fee the doctor for a nauseous draught. Uryden.

LONDON: PRINTED FOR SHERWOOD, GILBERT, AND PIPER,

PATERNOSTER-ROW,

1830.

DEDICATION.

TO

Sir harry M. MAINWARING, Bart.

Sir,

In dedicating the present little

volume to you, allow me to observe, that I am actuated by no interested motive whatever ; but by an unqualified and sincere desire to express, in a distinguished manner, the high sense I en- tertain of your excellent character, as well as of yom* condescending and truly polite attention ; and in saying this, I am perfectly convinced, that I express, at the same time, the feelings of all those who have had the pleasure of attending your hoimds. As a genuine English Gentleman, there- fore, I dedicate this work to you ; which you will be pleased to accept as a token of sincere respect, fiom.

Sir, Your obedient humble Servant,

T. B. JOHNSON.

Liverpool, 1

Sept. «1, 1826.5

PREFACE.

- <» 1 -

Of all the sciences which have fallen under human contemplation, less, perhaps, has been written on the subject of Hunting than any other ; not that it is so cir- cumscribed as to admit of little elucidation, but because sportsmen, occupied by the practical business of the chase, have not sufficient leisure, or probably seldom feel the inclination, to bestow that labour which is indis- pensable to such undertakings. The sportsmen of old, who have bequeathed us their notions on hunting, are to be read more as matter of curiosity than as sources from which may be derived any practical utility, since the progress of time has, in a great degree, oblitera- ted the old system of field sports. Amongst the sports- men of what may be called modern days, Somervile has given us his opinion in an elegant poem ; and Beckford, more recently, published his volume of sen- sible Letters ; these, with trifling exception, might be said to constitute all that has been written (at least in modern days) on the subject of hunting ; if we except the late publication of Colonel Cook, which I have not

PREFACE. V.

yet perused : in fact, all the chapters of the present volume were put together before I saw the announce- ment of the Colonel's work.

However, as in a volume like the present, recurrence must necessarily be had to the opinions of preceding writers (Colonel Cook alone excepted), I have unhesi- tatingly quoted largely from Beckford and Somervile ; and indeed extracted whatever I thought worthy of notice from every other author, giving my own opinion where I happen to differ from them, and of course the reasons upon which such opinion is founded. Also, I have endeavoured to supply whatever appeared defec- tive, or had been altogether omitted, by those who have preceded me on the subject ; as well as noticed every recent improvement. I am, therefore, willing to hope, that the following pages will prove interesting and useful to the sportsman.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Introductory Observations. - Ancient British Sports- men, the Saxons, the Danes, the Normans. - Ancient Method of Hunting. - Sjiortsmen of the Old and Modern Schools 1 - 25.

CHAPTER II.

Of Forming and Building the Kennel. - Its Courts, Lodging Rooms, Boiling Houses, 8fc. . 26 - 32.

CHAPTER III.

Extraordinary Sliced of Fox Hounds. - Of the Origin of Hounds. - The Talbot or Blood Hound, the Stag Hound, the Southern Hound, the Beagle, the Fox Hound. - The Olfactory Organs of the Hound. - Of the Size, Colour, and Breeding of Hounds, ^-c.

33 - 53.

CHAPTER IV.

Diseases (f Hounds and Methods of Cure. 54 - 112.

CONTENTS. vii.

CHAPTER V.

Of the Naming of Hounds. - A List of Names. - Of the Feeder. - Of Boiling and Mixing the Meat, and the proper Food for Hounds. - The Method and Time of Feeding. - Of Bleeding and Physicking Hounds. - Of Entering Young Hounds. - Summer Hunting, Sfc. - Of Flogging Hounds. - Bedford' s System.

112 - 145.

CHAPTER VI.

Of the Huntsman and the Whippers-in, and their re- spective Duties 146 - 173.

CHAPTER Vn.

Of the Time of Meeting. - Of Blood. - The Opinion of the late Mr. Meynell upon the Subject of Blood, as well as on Hounds and Fox Hunting. - Of Draw- ing. - Riding to Hounds, and the Management of the Run. - Changing Foxes. - Hounds at Fault. - Of Halloos. - Bag Foxes. - Of Fox Courts. - Treatment of Cubs. - Digging Foxes. - Of Badgers.

174 - 207.

CHAPTER Vni.

Of Hare Hunting. - The Opinion of a Sportsinan of the last Century ttpon this Subject. - The Hoiinds best calcidated for Hare Hunting. -^Of the Hunts- man and Whipper-in to a Pack of Harriers. - Hare Finders. - The Doubles of the Hare. - Warren Hares. - Pedestrian Sjjortsmen. - Of Music and Speed 207 - 230.

viii. CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IX.

Stag Hunting. - Otter Hunting. . . . 231 - 239.

CHAPTER X.

Of Scent. - Influence of the Atmosj)here upon Scent. - Is different in different Animals. . . 240 - 256.

CHAPTER XI.

Wolf Hunting in France, with a Description of the Hounds and Equipage for that purpose. - A Wolf Chase 257 - 280.

CHAPTER XII.

Hoar Hunting. - Manner of Training or Entering Yomig Hounds in France. . . . 281 - 294.

CHAPTER XIII.

The Methods of pursuing the Chase in Engla?id and in France compared. - Anecdotes of an extraordi- nary Pedestrian Fox Hunter. - Observations on the Mischievous Propensities of the Fox ; and upon the Injury sustained by his Depredations. 295 - 307.

CHAPTER I.

IntroductoryObscrvntions.- - Ancient British Sportsmen, the Saxons, the Danes, the Normans. - Ancient Method of Hunting. - Sportsmen of the Old and Modern Schools,

In order to give a clear and somewhat comprehensive view of the present subject, it is my intention not to confine myself to the modern practice of Hunting, or the way in which it is now followed, but to give a retro- spective sketch of, or rapidly trace, its progress from the earliest periods to the present time ; and hence we shall perceive that the improvement which the chase, like all other sciences, has experienced, was the necessary consequence of circumstances ; that it resulted indeed from the different aspects which the country has, at various times, presented ; that hunting has, in fact, only kept pace with the progress of civilization, and the in- creased cultivation of the soil ; and that, therefore, the mode which at one period characterised it was by no means applicable to another. In saying that I shall trace its progress from the earliest periods, I do not mean to be understood as purposing to extend my observations to the most remote ages of the world, but merely to what may be called the earliest authenticated records of this country.

Hunting is so deeply interesting to the human heart, that it is ardently followed by the savage as well as by the

A

viii. CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IX.

Stag Hunting. - Otter Hunting. . . . 231 - 239.

CHAPTER X.

Of Scent. - Influence of the AtmospJiere upon Scent. - /* different in different Animals. . . 240 - 256.

CHAPTER XL

Wolf Hunting in France, with a Description of the Hounds and Equipage for that purpose. - A Wolf Chase 257 - 280.

CHAPTER Xn.

Boar Hunting. - Manner of Training or Entering Young Hounds in France. . . . 281 - 294.

CHAPTER Xni.

The Methods of pursuing the Chase in England and in France compared. - Anecdotes of an extraordi- nary Pedestrian Fox Hunter. - Observatiotis on the Mischievous Propensities of the Fox ; and upon the Injur?/ sustained hy his Depredations. 295 - 307.

CHAPTER I.

Introductory Observations. - Ancient British Sportsmen^ the Saxons, the Danes, the Normans. - Ancient Method of Hunting. - Sportsmen of the Old and Modern Schools.

In order to give a clear and somewhat comprehensive view of tlie present subject, it is my intention not to confine myself to the modern practice of Hunting, or the way in which it is now followed, but to give a retro- spective sketch of, or rapidly trace, its progress from the earliest periods to the present time ; and hence we shall perceive that the improvement which the chase, like all other sciences, has experienced, was the necessary consequence of circumstances ; that it resulted indeed from the different aspects which the country has, at various times, presented ; that hunting has, in fact, only kept pace with the progress of civilization, and the in- creased cultivation of the soil ; and that, therefore, the mode which at one period characterised it was by no means applicable to another. In saying that I shall trace its progress from the earliest periods, I do not mean to be understood as purposing to extend my observations to the most remote ages of the world, but merely to what may be called the earliest authenticated records of this country.

Hunting is so deeply interesting to the human heart, that it is ardently followed by the savage as well as by the

10' HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Ancient British Sportsmen.

civilized man ; and no doubt can be entertained, that the inhabitants of this island, prior to the invasion of Julius Caesar, followed the chase, as well for amusement, as for the means of subsistence ; but, as we are ignorant of the means which they adopted to accomplish their purpose, we must be content with the slender knowledge we pos- sess on the subject, and proceed for further information to periods when the chase was followed under what may be called a regular and well-authenticated form.

When the Saxons visited this country, hunting as- sumed an organized character ; and no sooner had the Danes attained the mastery, than they instituted laws for the protection of game, the increased severity of which marked the imperious sway of the Normans, and fixed an indelible stigma on the memory of William I. The Saxons were undoubtedly much attached to hunting - the same remark will equally apply to the Danes ; while the Normans manifested such an invincible passion for field sports, that the business of the chase was re- garded as one of the most important duties of life by the monarch and all the great men of the kingdom. Hence it is not surprising, that the science of hunting should have made considerable progress under such ardent sportsmen ; the services of that noblest of quadrupeds, the horse,* were called in to enhance the pleasures of the chase ; and the breeding of hounds seems, at this period, to have been well understood, and pursued upon syste- matic principles. It is true, the hounds used by the

- It is doubtful if the horse was used in the chase prior to the Norman Conquest.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 11

Hunting of our Ancestors.

Normans might be somewhat different from our modern stocks ; but they -were, no doubt, well adapted to the state of the country, and the mode of hunting then pursued ; and were, hi all probability, of the old Talbot kind, whence have sprung, I am inclined to think, all the various ramifications of the hound tribe which may be seen in various parts of the kingdom at the present day.

Somervile's ideas upon the subject of the hunting of our remote ancestors perfectly agrees with the opinion above expressed, as will be seen by the following quota- tion from his expressive and elegant poem: -

- - " Devotion pure,

And strong necessity, thus 6rst began The chase of beasts : though bloody was the deed. Yet without guilt. For the green herb alone, Unequal to sustain man's labouring race, Now every moving thing that liv'd on earth Was granted him for food. So just is Heaven, To give us in proportion to our wants. Or chance or industry in after time Some few improvements made, but short as yet Of due perfection. In this isle remote, Our painted ancestors were slow to learn. To arms devote, of the politer arts Nor skill'd nor studious; till from Neustria's coasts Victorious William, to more decent rules Subdu'd our Saxon fatlicrs, taught to speak The proper dialect, %vith horn and voice To cheer the busy hound, whose well-known cry His listening peers approve with joint acclaim. From him buccessive huntsmen leara d to join In bloody social leagues, the multitude Dispers'd, to size, to sort their various tribes,

a2

12 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Origin of Hunting Terms.

To rear, feed, hunt, and discipline the pack. Hail, happy Britain ! highly favor'd isle. And Heav'n's peculiar care ! to thee 'tis given To train the sprightly steed, more fleet than those Begot by winds, or the celestial breed That bore the great Pelides through the press Of heroes arm'd, and broke their crowded ranks, Which, proudly neighing, with the sun begins Cheerful his course, and, ere his beams decline. Has measur'd half thy surface unfatigu'd. In thee alone, fair land of liberty ! Is bred the perfect hound, in scent and speed As yet unrivall'd; while, in other climes, Their virtue fails, a weak degenerate race. Tn vain malignant steams and winter fogs Load the dull air, and hover round our coasts. The huntsman, ever gay, robust, and bold. Defies the noxious vapour, and confides In this delightful exercise to raise His drooping head, and cheer his heart with joy."

1 am inclined to think that many of our hunting terms at present in use may be traced to a Norman origin : halloo, for instance, immediately derived from a loup, seems to have descended from the source just mentioned.

The Normans went to the field, or rather perhaps to the forest, on horseback, armed with bows and arrows, and other weapons, and attended by a great retinue. The game was roused by the dogs, and shot at by the sportsmen, as often as opportunity offered ; a consider- able space was, on some occasions, encircled by toils or nets, and a sort of indiscriminate slaughter ensued of the Various .animals thus inclosed.

The stag, the wolf, and the wild boar, constituted the principal objects of pursuit ; and though there was no

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 13

Ancient Norman Hunters.

scarcity of foxes, yet these animals, which at present afford a species of diversion which leaves all other field sports at an immeasurable distance, were httle attended to by the sportsmen of the remote period now iinder contemplation : the reason is evident - the chase of the fox was not understood, nor yet adapted to the state of the country ; and though we now regard the pursuit of this animal as far preferable to any other chase, it is owing almost intirely to the different aspect which the face of the country presents, that it stands so deservedly high in the estimation of modern sportsmen. When the early Normans followed the chase in this country, the game, it is true, was roused and pursued by the hounds, as I have already observed ; but it generally received its quietus from the hand of the sportsman, either by means of the arrow, the spear, or other weapon with which he was prepared for the purpose. Under such a system of the chase, a fox would appear scarcely entitled to atten- tion ; nor would he indeed form a mark sufficiently con- spicuous for the arrow or the spear ; and therefore, upon a transient view of the subject, it will seem no way sur- prising, that he was little, if at all, sought after by the old Norman sportsmen.

A few illustrative observations, from an ancient writer, will show the irresistible propensity of the Normans for the chase, as well as the style and character in which they pursued it. - " In these days (says he) our nobihty esteem the sports of hunting and hawking as the most honourable employments, the most exalted virtues ; and to be conti- nually engaged in these amusements is, in their opinion, the summit of human ha})piness. They prepare for a

A 3

14 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Ancient Norman Hunters.

hunt with more trouble, anxiety, and cost, than they would for a battle, and follow the beasts of the forest with more fury than they do their enemies : by being con- stantly engaged in this savage sport, they contract habits of barbarity, lose, in a great measure, their feelings of humanity, and become nearly as ferocious as the beasts they pursue. The husbandman is driven, together with his innocent flocks and herds, from his fertile fields, his meadows, and his pastures, that beasts may roam there in his stead. Should one of these potent and merciless sportsmen pass your door, place before him, in a moment, all the refreshment your habitation affords, or that can be purchased or borrowed in your neighbourhood, that you may not be utterly ruined, or perchance accused of treason. The sam.e writer tells us, that the fair sex caught the predominant passion ; while we learn, from other sources, that the mitre deserted its functions, and the coiol quitted the quiet retirement of the monastery, to join in the transporting pleasures of the chase."

Walterus, archdeacon of Canterbury, who was pro- moted to the see of Rochester in 1147, totally neglected the duties of his sacred profession, and devoted his time entirely to hunting. At the age of 80, he is said to have been a keen sportsman, and he died at a very advanced period. Reginaldus Brian, bishop of Worcester in 1332, was distinguished for his attention to field sports ; and in an epistle of his (now extant) to the bishop of St. David's, he reminds him of a promise he had made to send him six couple of excellent hunting dogs. He de- clares his heart languishes for their arrival, and observes > - " Let them come, then, oh ! reverend father ! without

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 15

Ancient Hunters.

delay ; let my woods re-echo with the music of their cry, and the cheerful notes of the horn ; and let the walls of my palace be decorated with the trophies of the chase !" Some of these clerical sportsmen, however, contrived to blend amusement and business, as it were ; and in their visitations through their dioceses, they were attended with such numbers of horses, hounds, huntsmen, and falconers, that the religious houses were frequently very much distressed to provide for so numerous a retinue. About the year 1200, the prior and canons of Bridlington in Yorkshire, presented a formal complaint to the pope (Innocent III) against the archdeacon of Richmond, who, when he made his visitations, brought such a prodigious number of attendants, that the complainants declared, that his suite consumed more provision in one hour than would serve the whole community a long time. The pope, in consequence, despatched a bull, forbidding such scandalous and oppressive visits in future.

The monasteries also produced their mighty hun- ters ; and William de Clowne, who is celebrated as the most amiable ecclesiastic of his time, and who filled the abbacy of St. Mary, in Leicestershire, is no less distin- guished for his p: ofound skill in the science of the chase, which is numbered amongst his excellent qualities ; and that his kennel might always be well supplied with hounds, the king granted him the privilege of holding a fair or market, for the sole purpose of dealing in dogs.

It would appear from ancient records, that the Anglo- Saxons pursued the wild boar and wolf on foot ; while the Normans improved upon this method by introducing the horse, and directed their attention, for the most part,

16 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Progress of Hunting.

to the pursuit of the stag, the roe-buck, the fox, the hare, &c. nor do they appear to have depended entirely on their dogs, as they were excellent marksmen and made a very liberal use of the bow - thus William Rufus lost his life.

Edward I. may be justly enumerated among the ori- ginal fox-hunters ; and his wardrobe book, for the 28th year of his reign, contains an item of the number and expense of his kennel, which it seems consisted of twelve hounds, and their annual expense amounted to twenty- one pounds, six shillings.

Hunting, indeed, about this period, appears to have been reduced to a regular science ; and several treatises were written on the subject, containing instructions for juvenile sportsmen, as well as rules for the various offices in the forest, the stable, and the kennel. A curious performance on this subject, in Norman-French, is still extant. It was written in the beginning of the fourteenth century, by William Twice, grand huntsman to Edward II. and an ancient translation of it may be found among the Cottonian manuscripts. After all, it is very clear that the oppressive severity of the forest laws was not sufficient to restrain the yeomanry from a diversion to which they were so passionately attached. Many of them, taking advantage of that relaxed state which the feudal system naturally produced, retired into the recesses of the large forests, which, at this period, covered a con- siderable part of the kingdom, and, forming themselves into a sort of banditti, pursued their favourite sport almost without restraint. Hence the tradition of Robin Hood and Little John ; whose deeds are related in num-

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 17

Old Method of Fox-hunting.

berless old songs, which still continue great favourites with the vulgar.

But such a state of things was found incompatible with the progress of civilization, and consequently gave way to a different system : as the cultivation of the soil proceeded, the wolf and the wild boar continued to retire from the face of man, till at length they could no longer shelter themselves, and were thus ultimately extermi- nated. The stag, however, long maintained his ground against the cultivators of the soil ; or rather, he might be said to be taken under especial protection, and con- tinued to animate and adorn the various forests, which are not, even at the present day, entirely disafforested, though little remains to remind us of their former appear- ances.

The stag constituted the principal object of chase after the extirpation of the wild boar and the wolf, and stag- hunting has continued the favourite pastime of royalty to the present period. As the country was progressively cleared of its useless woods and morasses, missiles were laid aside in the pursuit of this animal, it being dis- covered that his powers of speed and contrivance enabled him to afford far superior diversion, when the exertions of the hounds were unassisted by the use of those wea- pons which had hitherto been employed on the occasion. But, though the stag was regarded as the noblest chase, the pursuit of the fox occupied the attention of the sportsman, and the manner of it is thus described by a writer of the seventeenth century: - "The fox is taken with hounds, greyhounds, terriers, nets, and gins.

I« HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Old Method of Fox-hunting.

" Of terriers there are two sorts - the one is crooked- legged and commonly short-haired, and these will take earth well, and will he very long at fox or badger; the other sort is shagged and straight-legged, and these will not only hunt above ground as others, but also enter the earth with much more fury than the former, but cannot stay in so long by reason of their great eagerness.

"The entering and fleshing them may be done several ways; in the first place, thus: when foxes and badgers have young cubs, then take your old terriers and enter them in the ground, and when they begin to bay, you must then hold every one of your terriers at a sundry hole or mouth of the earth, that they may listen and hear the old ones bay. Having taken the old fox or badger, and that nothing remains within but the young cubs, then couple up all your old terriers and put in the young in their stead, encouraging them by crying to him, to hinii to him ! and if they take any young cub within the ground, let them alone to do what they please with him, and forget not to give the old ones their reward, which is the blood and hvers, fried with cheese and some of their own grease, shewing them the heads and skins to encourage them : - before you reward them, wash them with soap and warm water, to clear their skins from earth and cjlay that is clodded to the hair, other- wise they are apt to be mangie.

*' Now, to say the truth, there is not much pastime or pleasure in hunting a fox under ground ; for as soon as that subtle creature perceiveth the terriers, if they bay hard, and lie near unto them, they will bolt out imme- diately, unless it be when the bitch hath youn§ cubs,

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 19

Old Method of Fox-hunting.

then they will sooner die than stir. - They make their earths as near as they can in stony ground, or amongst the roots of trees ; and their earths have commonly but one hole, and that is straight a long way in before it comes at their couch : sometimes craftily they possess themselves of a badger's old burrow, which hath variety of chambers, holes, and angles. When a good terrier doth once bind the fox, he then yearns and defends him- self very notably, but not so strenuously as the badger, nor is his biting half so dangerous.

** Of fox-hunting above ground. - To this purpose you must draw with your hounds about groves, thickets, and bushes near villages ; a fox will lurk in such places to prey on young pigs and poultry ; but it will be neces- sary to stop up his earths, if you can find them, the night before you intend to hunt, and the best time will be about midnight, for then the fox goeth out to seek his prey : you may stop his holes by laying two white sticks across before them, which will make him imagine it is some gin or trap laid for him ; or else you may stop them up close with black thorns and earth together.

" The best hunting a fox above ground, is in January, February, and March, for then you shall best see your hounds hunting, and best find his earthing ; besides, at those times the fox's skin is best in season. Again, the hounds best hunt the fox in the coldest weather, because he leaveth a very strong scent behind him ; yet, in cold weather, it chills fastest. At first, only cast off your sure finders, and as the drag mends, so add more as you dare trust them. Shun easting off too many hounds at once, because woods and coverts are full of sundry

20 HUNTING DIRECTORY*

Draper, the Fox-hunterj -

chases, and so you may engage them in too many at one time. Let such as you cast off first, be old staunch hounds, which are sure ; and if you hear such a hound call on merrily, you may cast off some other to him; and when they run it on the full cry, cast off the rest, and thus you shall complete your pastime. The words of comfort are the same which are used in the other chases, attended with the same hoUowings and other ceremonies. Let the hounds kill the fox themselves, and worry and tear him as much as they please : many hounds will eat him with eagerness. When he is dead, hang him at the end of a pike-stafF, and hollow in your hounds to bay him : but reward them not with any thing belonging to the fox, for it is not good."

The greyhovmds employed in the pursuit of the fox were strong, wire-haired animals, placed in situations where it was expected the fox would make his appear- ance, and they were slipped at him as he passed. Thus, when the fox had been driven from his kennel by the hounds, he had to encounter a succession of greyhounds which were placed in relays for the purpose.

It is difficult to trace the progress of hunting, and of fox-hunting in particular; but yet, I am inclined to think, what may be called its next stage may be tolerably well conceived from the following : - " In the old, but now ruinous, mansion of Berwick Hall, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, once lived the well-known William Draper, Esq. who bred, fed, and hunted the staunchest pack of fox-hounds in Europe. Upon an income of only 700/. per annum he brought up^ creditably, eleven sons and daughters; kept a stable of excellent hunters, a kennel

HUNTING DIREGTGJIY. 2\

And bis Daughter.

of true-bred fox-hounds, besides a carriage with horses suitable, for the convenience of my lady and her daughters. He lived in the old honest style of his county, kiUing every month a good ox of his own feeding, and priding himself on maintaining a substantial table, but with no foreign kickshaws. His general apparel was a long dark drab hunting coat, a belt round his waist, and a strong velvet cap on his head. In his humour he was very facetious, always having some pleasant story, both in the field and in the hall, so that his company was much sought after by persons of good condition, and which was of great use to him in the subsequent advancement of his children. His stables and kennels were kept in such order, that sportsmen observed them as schools for huntsmen and grooms, who were glad to come there without wages, merely to learn their business. When they had obtained proper instruction, he then recom- mended them to other gentlemen, who wished for no better character than Squu-e Draper's recommendation. He was always up, during the hunting season, at four in the morning, mounted on one of his nags at five o'clock, hunself bringing forth his hounds, who knew every note of their old master's voice. In the field he rode with judgment, avoiding what was unnecessary, and helping his hounds when they were at fault. His daughter Di, who was equally famous at riding, used to assist him, cheering the hounds with her voice. She died at York in a good old age, and, what was wonderful to many sportsmen who dared not follow her, she died with whole bones, in her bed.

22 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Hugh Meynell, Ksq.

"After the fatigues of the day, which were generally crowned with the brushes of a brace of foxes, he enter- tained those who would return with him, and which was sometimes thirty miles distance, with old English hospi- tality. Good old October was the liquor drank ; and his first fox-hunting toast, was ' All the brushes in Christendom.' At the age of eighty years this gentleman died, as he chiefly lived, for he died on horseback. As he was going to give some instructions to a friend who was rearing up a pack of fox-hounds, he was seized with a fit, and dropping from his old favourite pony, he ex- pired ! There was no man, rich or poor, in his neigh- bourhood, but lamented his death ; and the foxes were the only things that had occasion to be glad that Squire Draper was no more."

The foundation of the present system of fox-hunting was unquestionably laid by the celebrated Hugo Mey- nell, Esq. who for many years conducted the Quorndon establishment, and whose ideas upon the subject I shall notice repeatedly in the course of this work.

When fox-hunting had assumed something of its modern form, the chase was followed by a slow, heavy hound, whose exquisite olfactory organs enabled him to carry on the scent a considerable time after the fox had passed, as v/ell over greasy fallows, as hard roads, and other places where the modern high-bred fox-hound would not be able to recognise it. Thus the chase conti- nued for double the duration which it at present occupies, and hence may be seen the reason why the old Enghsh hunter, so celebrated in former days, and so great a favourite witli sportsmen of the old school, was enabled

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 83

Ancient and Modern Hour of Meeting.

to perform those feats which are exultingly bruited in his praise. The fact is, that the hounds and the horses were very well calculated for each other : - if the latter possessed not the speed of the Meltonian hunter, the hounds were equally slow ; and though the pursuit was not carried on with that impetuous velocity, which forms the leading feature of its present highly-improved state, still the superior olfactory nerves of the old hound enabled him to bring the business to a more certain, though a more protracted, conclusion.

Sportsmen of the old school, it would appear, com- menced their operations at a much earlier period than the moderns : - it is recorded of 'Squire Draper, for instance, who has been already noticed, that "he was always up at four in the morning, and mounted on one of his nags at five ;" and the question which naturally suggests itself to the mind, on reading such a statement, is, - how far had he to ride to cover ? for, unless the distance was much greater than usual, he would, during the best part of the hunting season, arrive at the appointed spot several hours before day-light ; and I cannot induce myself to believe, that fox-hunting can be very pleasant diversion in the dark ! However, I have no hesitation in supposing, that the sportsmen of the old school met at an earlier hour than the modern fox-hunter thinks necessary ; that they met, in fact, as soon as day-light would enable them to observe the motions of the hounds, and this circumstance gave them decided advantages : - in the first place, there would be less difficulty in finding, and in the next, the fox would be less calculated for maintaining the contest, in consequence of having to run upon an overgorged

M HUNTING DIRECTORY.

stomach : yet, notwithstanding all this, the runs were frequently of very long duration ; and if commenced at a later period of the day, according to modern custom, would, perhaps, rarely have ended vnth the death of the fox. It may be truly remarked indeed, that while the old fox-hunters ran down their game, the sportsmen of modern days run up to it ; and this, in a few words, constitutes the essential difference between what may be called the old and the modern school of fox-hvmting. For the former, as I have already observed, a heavy tender-nosed hound was used, which would follow on the line of the fox under very adverse circumstances of atmosphere and country ; and was thus enabled at last to run down the chase : while the modern fox-hound pos- sesses sufficient speed to run well up to the fox ; and, by blowing or distressing him at the commencement of the struggle, he is generally not able to get far ahead ; the business is thus finished in a much shorter period, with little or no interruption, accompanied by all that dash, that maddening impetuosity, which constitutes the supreme delight of fox-hunting. At the same time, it must be admitted, that the modern high-bred fox-hound cannot, generally speaking, hunt a cold scent ; if the atmosphere be unfavourable, he cannot hunt ; if he cannot run well up to the game, he soon loses it alto- gether - his nose is not sufficiently tender to enable him to recognize the scent, when the chase is far before him. There are fox-hounds still to be met with which are able to hunt what may called a cold scent ; in Yorkshire, fox-hounds of this description are to be found. In the year 1825, I noticed many in Lord Harewood's pack

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 25

Fox Hounds.

which partook much of the old school ; the same remark is equally applicable to the fox-hounds of Sir Tatton Sykes, to the York and Ainsty, as well as to the Bads- worth, though not in so great a degree, and may perhaps extend to others which have not fallen under my obser- vation. The country hunted by the hounds just enu- merated, would appear to render tender-nosed hounds indispensable, since extensive fallows are of frequent occurrence, and also other circumstances equally unfa- fourable to scent. The case is different in Leicester- shire, which is chiefly a grazing county, and where, of course, a high-bred hound is afforded an opportunity of exhibiting his powers under every possible advantage. In the month of November of the year 1824, I saw a fox found, by the Duke of Rutland's hounds, in a cover called Holywell Mouth, near Melton ; the hovmds went away close at his brush, and killed him very handsomely in two and twenty minutes ! such a circumstance could rarely, if ever, occur, with hounds of the old school. The Cheshire hounds (those of Sir Harry Mainwaring) are as fleet as the hounds used in Leicestershire, though the country is not so favourable for hunting ; but the inclosures are, for the most part, small ; and thus a judi- cious huntsman, when he comes to a fallow or other ground, where his hounds cannot recognize the scent, will immediately lift them to the next fence, where it seldom fails to be hit off again.

CHAPTER II.

Of Forming and Building the Kennel. - Its CourtSj Lodging Rooms, Boiling Houses, ^c.

In the establishment of a pack of hounds, the first consideration that obviously presents itself is the Kennel, upon which the poet of the chase thus beautifully ex- presses himself: -

" First let the kennel be the huntsman's care. Upon some little eminence erect, And fronting to the ruddy dawn ; its courts On either hand wide opening to receive The sun's all-cheering beams, when mild he shines. And gilds the mountain tops. For much the pack (Rous'd from their dark alcoves) delight to stretch And bask in his invigorating ray : Warn'd by the streaming light, and merry lark, Forth rush the jolly clan : with tuneful throats They carol loud, and, in grand chorus join'd. Salute the new-born day. O'er all let cleanliness preside, no scraps Bestrew the pavement, and no half-pick'd bones To kindle fierce debate, or to disgust That nicer sense, on which the sportsman's hope, And all his future triumphs, must depend. Soon as the growling pack, with eager joy. Have lapp'd their smoking viands, morn or eve. From the full cistern lead the ductile streams, To wash thy court well pav'd, nor spare thy pains, For much to health will cleanliness avail. Seck'st thou for bounds to climb the rocky steep,

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 27

Two Kennels lecommended.

And brush th' entangled covert, whose nice scent O'er greasy fallows, and frequented roads. Can pick the dubious way. Banish far oflF Each noisome stench, let no oflFensive smell Invade thy wide enclosure, but admit The nitrous air, and purifying breeze."

Beckford is very particular in his instructions respecting the kennel ; and as he very judiciously observes, its size must be suited to the number of its inhabitants ; but, he continues, " I make no doubt, there are many better kennels than mine ; some of which, I think, you should see before you begin to build." No better advice can be given ; and it is highly advisable for any person who contemplates building a kennel, in the first place, to visit several of the principal fox-hunting establishments, from which he will not fail to derive much useful information^, as well as obtain the best possible guide for his own con- templated structure. It is not easy to convey the requi- site directions on paper for this purpose ; and, after all, a little personal inspection of a few of the kennels which are already reared, would convey much better and more lucid ideas to the mind, than a bulky volume written on the subject. The author of the " Thoughts on Hunting," speaking of his own kennel, observes : - " I think two kennels absolutely necessary to the Avell-being of the hounds : when there is but one, it is seldom sweet ; and when cleaned out, the hounds, particularly in winter, suffer both whilst it is cleaning, and as long as it remains wet afterwards.

*'The floor of each lodging-room should be bricked, and sloped on both sides to run to the center, with a

b2

28 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Interior of the Kennel.

gutter left to carry off the water, that when they are washed, they may be soon dry. If water should stand through any fault in the floor, it should be carefully mopped up ; for as warmth is in the greatest degree necessary to hounds after work, so damps are equally prejudicial.

" I also wish that, contrary to the usual practice in building kennels, you would have three doors ; two in front, and one in the back, the last to have a lattice window in it, with a wooden shutter, which is constantly to be kept closed when the hounds are in, except in summer, when it should be left open all the day. This door answers two very necessary purposes : It gives an opportunity of carrying out the straw when the lodging- room is cleaned, and as it is opposite to the window, will be a means to let in a thorough air, which will greatly contribute to the keeping of it sweet and wholesome. The other doors will be of use in drying the room, when the hounds are out, and as one is to be kept shut, and the other hooked back, (allowing just room for a dog to pass) they are not liable to any objection. The great window in the centre should have a folding shutter; half, or the whole of which, may be shut at nights, accord- ing to the weather ; and your kennels by that means, may be kept warm, or cool, just as you please to have them. The two great lodging-rooms are exactly alike, and as each has a court belonging to it, are distinct ken- nels, and are at the opposite ends of the building ; in the centre of which, is the boiling-house, and feeding-yard ; and on each side a lesser kennel, either for hounds that are drafted off; hounds that are sick or lame ; or for any

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 29

Interior of the Kennel.

other purposes, as occasion may require. At the back of which, as they are but half the depth of the two great kennels, are places for coals, &c. for the use of the kennel. There is also a small building in the rear for hot bitches. The floors of the inner courts, like to those of the lodging- rooms, are bricked and sloped to run to the centre, and a channel of water, brought in by a leaden pipe, runs through the middle of them. In the centre of each court is a well, large enough to dip a bucket to clean the ken- nels ; this must be faced with stone, or it will be often out of repair. In the feeding-yard, you must have a wooden cover.

'*The benches, which must be open to let the urine through, shovdd have hinges and hooks in the wall, that they may fold up, for the greater convenience of washing out the kennel ; and they should be made as low as pos- sible, that a tired hovmd may have no difficulty in jmnping up ; let me add, that the boiler should be of cast-iron.

*' The rest of the kennel consists of a large court in front, which is also bricked, having a grass-court adjoin- ing, and a little brook running through the middle of it. The earth which was taken out of it, is thrown up into a mount, where the hounds in summer delight to sit. This court is planted round with trees, and has besides a lime tree, and some horse chesnut trees near the middle of it, for the sake of shade. A high pale incloses the whole ; part of which, to the height of about four feet, is close ; the other open : tlie intex'stices are about two inches wide. The grass-court is pitched (paved) near the pale, to prevent the hounds from scratching out.

b3

30 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Appendages to the Kennel.

"At the back of the kennel is a house, thatched and furzed up on the sides, big enough to contain at least a load ^f straw. Here should be a pit ready to receive the dung, and a gallows for the flesh. The gal-lows should have a thatched roof, and a circular board at the posts of it, to prevent vermin from climbing up.

"A stove,* I believe, is made use of in some kennels; but where the feeder is a good one, a mop, properly used, will render it unnecessary. I have a little hay- rick in the grass-yard, which I think is of use to keep the hounds clean and fine in their coats ; you will find them frequently rubbing themselves against it : the shade of it also is useful to them in summer. If ticks at any time should be troublesome in your kennel, let the walls of it be well washed ; if that does not destroy them, the walls should then be whitewashed.

* I cannot agree with Beckford that stoves are unnecessary ; on the contrary, as nothing is more conducive to the health of hounds than ' w-armth, so the introduction and use of stoves in newly-built or damp tennels must be of the most essential utility. In the year 1825, Sir Bel- lingham Graham's hounds took possession of 3 new kennel built near Shrewsbury ; many of them soon afterwards became lame in the shoulder, and continued to get worse in defiance of the application of various means for their restoration : the disease spread - it might justly be called an epi- demic; the progress of which was ultimately arrested by the introduction of stoves. - This lameness in the shoulder is by no means a new disease ; it has frequently shewn itself, and indeed occasionally made considerable havock ; yet. upon investigation, 1 am inclined to think, that it has seldom, if ever, been known in dry, warm kennels. Like the rheumatism in the human subject, it is brought on by humidity or cold, or both ; and, like that disease, is only to be removed by the administration of heat But, as a preventative is preferable to a cure, so, therefore, are stoves to be recom- mended as a certain method of obviating lameness in the shoulder, which, to say the least of it, renders a hound completely useless.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 31

The Quorndon Kennel.

" In the summer when you do not hunt, one kennel will be sufficient ; the other then may be for the youug hounds, who should also have the grass-court adjoining to it. It is best at that time of the year to keep them separate, and it prevents many accidents which otherwise might happen ; nor should they be put together till the hunting season begins. If your hounds are very quarrel- some, the feeder may sleep in a cot, in the kennel adjoin- ing ; and if they are well chastised at the first quarrel, his voice will be sufficient to settle all their differences afterwards. Close to the door of the kennel, let there be always a quantity of little switches ; which three narrow boards, nailed to one of the posts, will easily contain.

" My kennel is close to the road-side, but it was un- avoidable. This is the reason why my front pale is close, and only the side ones open ; it is a great fault : avoid it if you can, and your hounds will be the quieter."

Beckford's remarks are evidently characterized by good sense, and no doubt can be entertained that his knowledge on the subject was not only extensive, but even accurate, to speak by comparison ; yet, as the human genius is continually at work, so the kennel may be said to have shared the benefits arising from its labours. Improvements have unquestionably been made upon the plan of Mr. Beckford. The kennel of the first fox- hunting establishment in the world (the Quorndon, at present under the direction of Mr. Osbaldeston) is suffi- ciently extensive to accommodate about one hundred couple of hounds. It consists of two very spacious grass courts, without either mount or brook, with several lodg- ing-rooms, (four, if my memory be correct) some of which

32 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Duke of Rutland's Kennel.

are circular, and have not only a very pretty appearance, but are preferable even on the score of utility : the stage upon which the hounds repose in these circular lodging- rooms is also circular, placed in the centre of the apart- ment, sufficient space being left to walk round it, and thus the hounds may be said to be placed out of the reach of damp walls - the superiority of this plan is obvious at the first glance. The boiling-house and feeding-room are conveniently contrived, and placed of course near the lodging-rooms. Mr. Osbaldeston's house is situated close to the kennel, a door from which may be said indeed to open into one of the grass courts. The stable, capable of containing about thirty hunters, is situated on the same side of the kennel, and also joins the mansion. The huntsman's house is at the opposite corner, the door of which opens into the kennel close to the lodging-rooms. The feeder sleeps close to the lodging-rooms also. - The boiling-house, lodging-rooms, &c. may be said to form the top of the kennel, an entrance from which leads into a circular covered ride, where the horses are exer- cised in wet weather. At a short distance is situated another kennel for the young hounds, the court of which is of considerable extent.

The kennels of his Grace the Duke of Rutland are worthy of attention, as well as several others in various parts of the kingdom. More on the subject of the kennel seems unnecessary.

CHAPTER III.

Extraordinary Speed of Fox Hounds. - Of the Origin of Hounds - The Talbot or Blood Hound, the Stag Hound, the Southern Hound, the Beagle, the Fox Hound. - The Olfactory Organs of the Hound. - Of the Si%e, Colour, and Breeding of Hounds, Sfc.

The kennel being prepared, its tenants of course form the next subject for consideration. The breeding of hounds demands the utmost attention of the sportsman ; and I am incHned to think, that, up to the present period, it has not been thoroughly understood : I am of opinion that we have not reached the acme of perfection in this respect, although I am aware that extraordinary hounds have occasionally made their appearance, whose perform- ances are to be found recorded in several pubhcations, and who have therefore obtained a triumphant immor- tahty through the medium of the press. For instance, two hounds belonging to the late Mr. Barry, (then master of the Cheshire hounds) Bluecap and Wanton, became celebrious for micommon speed : they are said to have run a drag "from the Rubbing House at New- market-town-end, to the Rubbing House at the starting- post of the Beacon course, in a few seconds more than eight minutes," beating two capital hounds belonging to the late Mr. Meyncll. Merkin, a fox-hound bitch, bred by the late Colonel Thornton, ran a trial of four miles,

34 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

The Talbot,

which she performed in seven minutes and half a second. Madcap was another famous hound belonging to the same gentleman; as also Lounger, who was supposed to be the best fox-hound of his time. " Madcap, at two years old, challenged all England for 500 guineas. Lounger, brother to Madcap, did the same at four years old ; the challenge was accepted, and a bet made for 200 guineas, to run Mr. Meynell's Pillager ; the parties were also allowed to start any other hound of Mr. Meynell's, and Lounger was to beat both ; but, upon Lounger being seen at Tattersall's by many of the first sportsmen, his bone and form were so capital that it was thought proper to pay forfeit, which was done by giving Colonel Thorn- ton a pair of gold couples." These, however, are instances merely of extraordinary speed, which is certainly highly necessary in a fox-hound ; yet, there are other qualities, and superior olfactory organs in particular, which ought to be considered as equally indispensable.

All the ramifications of the hound which we at present possess sprung from one and the same source, namely, the Talbot, or old English blood-hound.* These dogs are noticed by our immortal bard, who represents them as " crook-kneed and dewlapt, like Thessalian bulls." Shakespeare, it is well known, was prosecuted for deer-

* A very different animal from the blood'bound employed by the Spani- ards in the West Indies, to hunt the runaway negroes. The Spanish blood-hound is a large ferocious animal, with small pointed cars, and very inferior olfactory organs ; so much so indeed, that in all intricate cases they are accompanied by a smaller dog, called a ^nrfer. For a further illustration of this subject, we refer the reader to Dallas's Historij of the Maroon War.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 35

Or okl English Blood-hound.

stealing, by Sir Thomas Lucy ; and as the Talbot, or something nearly allied to the Talbot, was used at this period by deer-stealers, he must have been well ac- quainted with them. Crook-kneed is not a flattering recommendation in a hound, nor is such a circumstance noticed by Somervile, who thus describes the Talbot : -

" But if th'amphibious otter be thy chase,

Or stately stag, that o'er the woodland reigns.

Or if t'harmonious thunder of the field

Delight thy ravished ears, the deep-flew'd hound

Breed up with care, strong, heavy, slow, but sure;

Whose ears down hanging from his thick round head

Shall sweep the morning dew, whose clanging voice

Awake the mountain echo in her cell,

And shake the forests : the bold Talbot kind,

Of these the prime as white Alpine snows,

And great their use of old."

It is very probable that neither Shakespeare nor Somervile was so intimately acquainted with the Talbot, as to render either of their descriptions perfectly accu- rate. As to the dewlap noticed by the former, we see a striking approach to this in many of the deep-mouthed hounds of the present day ; which an old sporting friend was wont to denominate, significantly enough, " throaty dogs."

Those specimens of the Talbot, or at least of a near approach to the Talbot, which have fallen under my observation, were animals of great size, in height about twenty-seven inches, bony and powerful. Their heads and ears were very large, with much loose skin or leather about the mouth, and the nose much more obtuse than

36 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

The Talbot,

pointed. Their countenances were expressive of a solemn sagacity, which rendered them highly interesting and even majestic. Voice very deep and sonorous. In colour they were inclining to what may be called the dark tan, though Somervile seems to think (I believe erroneously) that white was the distinguishing colour of the prime Talbot.

The stag-hounds, which, about forty years since, were used by George III. manifested a considerable degree of affinity to the Talbot. In many of what are called the southern-hounds, we have a tolerable picture of the Talbot, only that the animal is much smaller. Mr. Charlesworth, who keeps the Black Swan Inn, Shude Hill, Manchester, has, at this time, (1826) a hound, which in height measures twenty-seven inches, and every way answers the description of the Talbot as nearly as pos- sible.

Something of the Talbot kind was in use amongst the Greeks, as may be gathered from the following descrip- tion of the dog of Ulysses : -

*« He knew his Lord, he knew, and strove to meet ; In vain he strove to crawl and kiss his feet; Yet all he could, his tail, his ears, his eyes, Salute his Master and confess his joys. O had you seen him vigorous, bold, and young, Swift as a stag, and as a lion strong : Him no fell savage on the plains withstood, None scap'd him bosom 'd in the gloomy wood. His eye how piercing, and his scent how true, To wind the vapour in th« tainted dew. This dog, wliom fate thus granted to behold His Lord, when twenty tedious years had roirri,

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 37

Or old English Blood-hound.

Takes a last look, and having seen bim, dies.

So closed for ever, faithful Argus' eyes.

Then pity touched the mighty Warrior's soul,

And down his cheek a tear unbidden stole." - Pope.

As I have already hinted, there is strong reason to believe the Normans first introduced the Talbot or blood- hound into this kingdom ; and some centuries afterwards they were used on the borders of England and Scotland, Avhich were then much infested by robbers and also by murderers. The dogs were maintained by a tax upon the inhabitants, though individuals were no doubt pri- vately possessed of them. In Scotland, a law existed, that no person should deny entrance to these dogs when in pursuit of stolen goods upon pain of being deemed an accessary. Persons called Moss Troopers were pursued by hounds of this description. These robbers generally retired with their plunder through mosses (morasses), bogs, and sloughs, which were passable only to those acquainted with the various intricate paths by which alone these places could be crossed by a human being. This peculiar pursuit was distinguished by the name of Hot- trod, and the dogs were sometimes called slough-hounds and .s/<??/^^-hounds, as well as blood-hounds.

" Upon the banks

Of Tweed, slow winding through the vale, the seat

O war and rapine once, ere Britons knew

The sweets of peace, or Anna's dread commands

To lasting leagues the haughty rivals aw'd.

There dwelt a pilfering race, well train'd and skill'd

In all the mysteries of theft, the spoil

Their only substance, feuds and war their sport:

38 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

The Talbot. !

Veil'd in the shades of night, they ford the stream.

Then, prowling far and near, whate'er they seize j

Becomes their prey j nor flocks nor herds are safe, j

Nor stalls protect the steer, nor strong-bart'd doors (

Secure the favourite horse. Soon as the morn j

Reveals his wrongs, with ghastly visage wan '

The plunder'd owner stands, and from his lips

A thousand thronging curses burst their way : i

He calls his stout allies, and in a line {

His faithful hound he leads, then with a voice j

That utters loud his rage, attentive cheers :

Soon the sagacious brute, his curling tail i

Flourish'd in air, low bending plies around I

His busy nose, the steaming vapour snufFs i

Inquisitive, nor leaves one turf untried, '

Till, conscious of the recent stains, his heart

Beats quick ! bis snuffling nose, his active tail, \

Attest his joy ; then with deep opening mouth.

That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims \

Th' audacious felon ; foot by foot he marks j

His winding way, while all the listening crowd j

Applaud his reasonings. O'er the watery ford, I

Dry sandy heaths, and stony barren hills.

O'er beaten paths, with men and beasts distain'd, '

Unerring he pursues ; till at the cot i

Arriv'd, and seizing by his guilty throat \

The caitiff vile, redeems the captive prey ; (

So exquisitely delicate his sense !"

i

The chieftains and great men who resided on or near j

the borders of the two kingdoms some centuries ago, !

encouraged, rather than repressed, the depredations j

which were here committed ; and in which, indeed, j

themselves occasionally joined. «

Admitting, therefore, that the Talbot was the source j

whence have sprung all our present varieties of the hound |

HUNTING DIRECTORY* 39

Of various Hounds.

tribe, we may regard as the first remove that large dog used a century ago in the pursuit of the stag, and which it is well known, would perseveringly continue the chase of the hunted deer in defiance of any obstacle, and even through a herd of the same animals.

The southern-hoimd is smaller than the doe: last noticed ; but retains as much, if not more, of the Talbot blood ; in fact, what is called a thorough southern- hoimd, may be regarded as a smaller kind of Talbot. The first remove from the southern-hound is the kibbley many of which may be seen in Lancashire, particularly in the neighbourhood of Manchester. The Ashton (a few miles from Manchester) pack of harriers is composed of hounds of this description, and there are few, if any, better harriers to be found in the kingdom. The Roch- dale harriers are of the same description, as well as several other packs in the same neighbourhood.

In some parts, beagles are used in the pursuit of the hare ; and these may be divided into two classes - the large and the lap-dog beagle. These dogs appear like dwarfs in the hound tribe, and are distinguishable by their short legs and elongated bodies.

There are many hounds to be met with resolvable to none of the classes above enumerated, but which appear to be a mixture of the whole ; nothing, indeed, is more common than an union of the large harrier and the beagle for the pursuit of the hare ; and homids thus bred, are well calculated for the purpose just mentioned. As the stag hound already noticed, constituted the first remove from the Talbot, and was nearly the same height, but not so heavy, it may be supposed, that the

40 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

The Fox-hound.

large lurcher or something of the greyhound kind, was employed in his production. It will be more difficult to account for the immediate origin of the southern-hound, unless, indeed, we suppose, that accident produced a few Talbots of a smaller kind, and hence they were pro- pagated. The same sort of reasoning may be applied to the beagle, while the fox-hound of the present day is evidently a mixture of the whole ; and as the crosses for the production of this animal have been directed by the different opinions of a number of individuals, so we may perceive the reason of that great variety in these animals which cannot have escaped the notice even of the most indifferent observer. Yet, generally speaking, sufficient reflection has not been exerted in the production of the fox-hound - speed has been the principal object of con- sideration, and on this account fox-hounds have been produced with such inferior olfactory organs, that they were utterly incapable of pursuing the chase unless the atmosphere was as favourable to scent as possible.

It became the fashion also to consider a small head in the fox-hound as indispensable to the beauty of his appearance, which is utterly incompatible with exquisite sense of smell. - It is a very well-known fact, that the sense of smell varies very much in dogs ; or, to speak as a sportsman, some of them possess better noses than others. In dogs with broad heads, the os aethmoides, or sive bone, is much larger than in narrow headed dogs ; the laminae cribrose, or the sive itself, is therefore more capacious, and contams more openings ; so that the olfac- tory nerves, which pass through it, are more numerous, and are divided more minutely, and thus that exquisite

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 41

Sense of Smell.

acuteness of smell is produced, which is found to obtain in the Talbot, and all dogs with broad heads : this excel- lence or superiority of the olfactory organs is further assisted by the largeness and flexibility of the lips and skin about the nose, which thus admit of a much greater extension of the olfactory nerves, and render them more susceptible of external impressions. The olfactory nerves resemble a bunch of small white cords, one end of which is connected with the brain, while the other, descending the head, spreads into numerous ramifications, reaching to the edges of the lips as well as to the extremity of the

nose.

Hence the inferiority of the greyhound's sense of smell will be easily perceived : his head is narrow, while his lips are thin and compressed ; and in consequence of this inflexibility, and the contracted structure of the head, the requisite breadth and extension of nerve are inad- missible ; and to make up, as it might seem, for the defect, nature has endowed limi with a celerity which is not to be met with in any other species of the dog.

All dogs, therefore, with broad heads, must possess superior organs of smell ; but it does not appear that a narrow or sharp nose presents any obstacle, as the main bulk of the olfactory nerves is situated in the head. The wolf and the fox appear to have sharp noses ; but their heads are remarkably broad and capacious : - their olfac- tory organs are vmquestionably exquisite.

Somervile seems to have been completely ignorant respecting the cause of the dog's sense of smell. Beck- ford was equally so. The following epistle, however, throws a flood of light upon the subject, of which it is

c

42 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Sense of Smell.

also a very strong and admirable illustration. Will. Deane, in writing to Lord Fitzwilliam, his master, observes, " that he could not guess at Lord Foley's dis- like to the hound called Glider, then sent, which was of the best blood of the country, being got by Mr. Mey- nell's Glider out of Lord Fitzwilliam's Blossom, and was moreover the most promising yovmg hound he had ever entered, unless his Lordship took a distaste to the large- tiess of his head ; but he begged leave to assert, although it might appear a trifle out of size, there was a world of serious mischief against the foxes contained in it." - Glider proved himself a first-rate hound ; his superiority indeed was so manifest, that he became a favourite stal- lion hound, " notwithstanding the magnitude and inele- gance of his head."

Wlien Mr. Hay hunted the country in the neighbour- hood of Newcastle-under-lyme (at present hunted by Mr. Wicksted), I recollect noticing the exertions of a hound (Gaoler, I believe, he was called) whose head was con- sidered out of proportion, but who was, nevertheless, the best hound in the pack ; and I make no doubt, should these remarks fall under the observation of Mr. Hay, that he will have a perfect recollection of this hound, and, for aught I know, he may still be in possession of him.

The Quorndon pack, though it has frequently changed masters, has always stood deservedly high in the estima- tion of the fox-hunter. These hounds are uncommonly fleet, and, as I observed some pages back, are calculated for Leicestershire. The Duke of Rutland's are of the same description, and hunt a similar country. Lord Lonsdale's hounds, though they hunt the neighbourhood of Melton, differ from the two former packs both in ap-

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 43

Various Hounds.

pearance and in their style of hunting : they are, for the most part, large, leggy clogs, and are neither so quick in drawing, nor so fleet in the chase. The Cheshire hounds (Sir Harry Mainwaring's) are much like the Quorndon and the Duke of Rutland's ; and, as far as I am able to form an opinion from considerable observation, are equal to any fox-hounds in the kingdom, a circumstance indeed which I have already noticed in the earlier pages of this volume. Mr. Wicksted's hounds, when they fell under my notice, presented the appearance of being calculated for business, but it was his first season ; he had not had sufficient time to render them complete as a pack, though from what I noticed of this gentleman, I am persuaded that every exertion will be made to render them so as soon as possible. I might extend similar ob- servations to many other packs which I have followed, but it is no way necessary ; those who are disposed to breed and improve, if possible, fox-hounds, will find ample materials for the purpose ; nor have I the least doubt, that they are still susceptible of improvement, which will require some little time to accomplish, and can only be brought about by a variety of crosses.

The best fox-hounds, perhaps, that were ever seen, were those bred by the late Colonel Thornton ; and this gentleman, to accomplish his purpose, resorted to the method I have just mentioned. Madcap and Lounger, two of his most celebrated fox-hounds, could scarcely be considered as thoroughly English, since, on the side of the sire, they were of Continental extraction. Colonel Thornton, however, was never possessed of many fox- hounds - about sixteen or twenty couple, if I correctly

44 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Speed of the Fox-hound.

understood Sir Edward Smith Dodsworth, as we rode together towards the town of Pontefract, after a long and distressing run with the Bads worth, in the month of November, 1825, was the extent of his pack.

As far as relates to speed, the fox-hound may be re- garded as perfect ; but the same remark will not apply to his olfactory organs, or powers of smell : if the perfection of these two quaUties could be united, nothing more could be desired. I am aware that the Talbot, so celebrated for his exquisite sense of smell, was slow in the pursuit ; this observation is equally applicable to the southern hound ; and the question is, whether or not it would be possible to unite the olfactory organs of the southern hound to that speed and dash which renders fox-hunting so superior to every other species of the chase. That such a desirable object is susceptible of accomplishment, little doubt can be entertained ; and indeed, the instance already noticed of Glider and Gaoler, seem to place the matter beyond a doubt.

Of late years, speed has been the principal object of consideration in the breeding of hounds. In 1824, I happened to visit Knowsley, near Liverpool, the resi- dence of the Earl of Derby, where his lordship's hounds are kept in smnmer. Of course I visited the kennel, when Jonathan, the huntsman, earnestly directed my attention to a bitch, which, he exultingly remarked, coidd " run four miles in less time than a greyhound !" - Lord Derby's hounds exhibit the appearance of fox-hounds, though used for the pursuit of the stag.

At all events, whenever a sportsman determines upon breeding hounds, the individuals selected for the purpose

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 45

Breeding Hounds.

should be distinguished for some good quality, or indeed for as many good qualities as possible. On this subject, I will quote the opinion of Beckford ; and also the notions of Somervile :

*' Consider (says the former) the size, shape, colour, constitution, and natural disposition of the dog you breed from ; as well as the fineness of his nose ; his stoutness, and method of hunting. On no accovmt breed from one that is not stout ^ that is not tender-nosed, or that is a skirter. - Somervile enjoins still further :

" Observe with care his shape, sort, colour, size : Nor will sagacious huntsmen less regard His inward habits ; the vain babbler shun, Ever loquacious, ever in the wrong ; His foolish ofTspring shall offend thy ears With false alarms, and loud impertinence. Nor less the shifting cur avoid, that breaks Illusive from the pack ; to the next hedge Devious he strays, there ev'ry meuse he tries, If haply then he cross the steaming scent, Away he flies, vain-glorious j and exults As of the pack supreme, and in his speed And strength unrivall'd. Lo ! cast far behind His vcx'd associates pant, and lab'ring strain To climb the steep ascent. Soon as they reach Th' insulting boaster, his false courage fails. Behind he lags, doom'd to the fatal noose. His master's hate, and scorn of all the field. What can from such be hop'd, but a base brood Of coward curs, a frantic, vagrant race ?"

" It is the judicious cross that makes the complete pack. The faults and imperfections in one breed, may be rec- tified in another ; and if this is properly attended to, 1

c3

46 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Breeding Hounds.

see no reason why the breedmg of hounds may not improve, till improvement can go no farther. If ever you find a cross hit, always pursue it. - Never put an old dog to an old bitch. - Be careful that they are healthy which you breed from, or you are not likely to have a healthy offspring. - Should a favourite dog skirt a little, put him to a thorough line-hunting bitch, and such a cross may succeed : my objection to the breeding from such a hound is, that as skirting is what most fox-hounds acquire from practice, you had better not make it natural to them.

" The feeder should watch over the bitches with a cautious eye, and separate such as are going to be proud, before it is too late. The advances they make frequently portend mischief as well as love ; and, if not prevented in time, will not fail to set the whole kennel together by the ears, and may occasion the death of your best dogs : 'care only can prevent it. -

Mark well the wanton females of thy pacli, That curl their taper tails, and frisking court Their pyebald mates enamour'd ; their red eyes Flash fires impure ; nor rest, nor food they take, Goaded by furious love. In sep'rate cells Confine them now, lest bloody civil wars Annoy thy peaceful state. Somervile.

"It is advisable to breed early in the year : January, February, and March, are the best months. Late pup- pies seldom come to much ; if there are any such, put them to the best walks. - When bitches begin to get big, they should cease to hunt : it frequently proves fatal to the whelps ; sometimes to the bitch herself; nor is it safe for them to remain much longer in the kennel. - If "pne

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 47

Treatment of Wheliis.

bitch has many puppies, more than she can well rear, you may put some of them to another bitch ; or if you destroy any of them, you may keep the best-coloured. They sometimes will have an extraordinary number.

" I have known (says Beckford) an instance of one having fifteen ; and a friend of mine, whose veracity 1 cannot doubt, has assured me that a hound in his pack, brought forth sixteen, all alive. When you breed from a very favourite sort, and can have another bitch warded at the same time, it will be of great service, as you may then save all the puppies. - Give particular orders, that the bitches be well fed with flesh; and let the whelps remain till they are well able to take care of themselves. They will soon learn to lap milk, which will relieve the mother. - The bitches, when their whelps are taken away from them, should be physicked ; I generally give them three purging balls, one every other morning. If a bitch brings only one or two puppies, and you have another bitch that will take them, by putting the puppies to her, the former will soon be fit to hunt again ; she should, however, be physicked first; and if her dugs are anointed with brandy and water, it will also be of service. The distemper makes dreadful havock with whelps at their walks; greatly owing, I believe, to the little care that is taken of them there. I am in doubt whether it might not be better to breed them up yourself, and have a ken- nel on purpose. You have a large orchard paled in, which would suit them exactly ; and what else is wanted might be easily obtained. There is, however, an ob- jection which perhaps may strike you : - If the distemper once gets amongst them, they must all have it ; yet, not-

48 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Treatment of Whelps.

withstanding that, as they will be constantly well fed, and will lie warm, I am confident it would be the saving of many lives. If you should adopt this method, you must remember to use them early to go in couples ; and when they get of a proper age, they must be walked out often ; for should they remain confined, they would neither have the shape, health, nor understanding they ought to have. When I kept harriers, I bred up some of the puppies at a distant kennel ; but having no ser- vants there to exercise them properly, I found them much inferior to such of their brethren, as had the luck to survive the many difficulties and dangers they had undergone at their walks ; these were afterwards equal to anythhig, and afraid of nothing ; while those that had been nursed with so much care, were weakly, and timid, and had every disadvantage attending private education. *' I have often heard as an excuse for hounds not hunt- ing a cold scent, that they were too high bred.

I confess, I know not what that means :* but this I know, that hounds are frequently too ill-bred to be of any service. It is judgment in the breeder, and patience afterwards in the huntsman, that make them hunt.

* The term " toe high bred " is, however, in general use among Sports- men, by whom it is very well understood, and is, beyond all question, suffi- ciently expressive. It is applied to light, fleet hounds, with small heads, (and consequently very inferior noses) which are only able to pursue under the most favourable circumstances, er when the scent is breast high. Sir Harry Mainwaring's, Mr. Osbaldeston's, and the Duke of Rutland's are all as highly bred perhaps as is consistent with the nature of the business ; they can, however, both hunt and run; but of all fox-hounds which have fallen under my observation, those of Mr. Mcynell, of Hoarecross Hall, Staflbrdshirc, appealed the highest bred, and were, in my opinion, rather too highbj bred.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 49

Naming of Whelps.

'* Young hounds are commonly named when first put out, and sometimes indeed ridiculously enough ; nor is it easy, when you breed many, to find suitable or har- monious names for all ; particularly, as it is usual to name all the whelps of one fitter, with the same letter, which (to be systematically done) should also be the initial letter of the dog that got them, or the bitch that bred them. A baronet of my acquaintance, a literal observer of the above rule, sent three young hounds of one litter to a friend, all their names beginning, as he said, with the letter G. Goivler, Govial, and Galloper.

*' It is indeed of little consequence what huntsmen call their hounds ; yet, if you dislike an unmeaning name, would it not be as well to leave the naming of them till they are brought home ? They soon learn their names, and a shorter fist would do. - Damons and Delias would not then be necessary ; nor need the sacred names of Titus and Trajan be thus degraded. It is true there are many odd names which custom authorises ; yet I cannot think, because some drunken fellow or other, has christened his dog Tipler, or Tapster, that there is the least reason to follow the example. Pipers and Fidlers, for the sake of their music, we will not object to ; but Tiplers and Tapsters your kennel will be much better without."

In regard to the size as well as the colour of hounds, it is not fikely that there should be an union of opinion ; but if the matter be attentively considered, it will, I think, be found that hounds of the middle size are the strongest, and capable of enduring the greatest fatigue. A good hound cannot be of a bad colour, it may be said :

50 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Form of the Hound.

but a diversity of colour in a pack, has at least an inter- esting and beautiful appearance. Of the form of the hound, there will not be much difference of opinion :

" His glossy skin, or yellow-pied, or blue.

In lights or shades, by nature's pencil drawn,

Reflects the various tints : his ears and legs

Fleckt here and there, in gay enamel'd pride.

Rival the speckled pard ; his rush-grown tail

O'er his broad back bends in an ample arch ;

On shoulders clean, upright and firm he stands ;

His round cat foot, straight hams, and wide-spread thighs,

And his low dropping chest, confess his speed,

His strength, his wind, or on the steepy hill,

Or far-extended plain ; in every part

So well-proportion'd, that the nicer skill

Of Phidias himself can't blame thy choice.

Of such compose thy pack. But here a mean

Observe, nor the large hound prefer, of size

Gigantic; he in the thick-woven covert

Painfully tugs, or in the thorny brake,

Torn and embarrass'd, bleeds ; but, if too small,

The pigmy brood in every furrow swims;

jMoil'd in the clogging clay, panting they lag

Behind inglorious; or else, shivering creep,

Benumb'd and faint, beneath the sheltering thorn.

For hounds of middle size, active and strong,

Will better answer all thy various ends,

And crown thy pleasing labours with success."

It has been observed by Beckford, that "it is the judiciqus cross that makes the complete pack ;" and in this I perfectly agree with him ; but in writing to his friend, he further remarks : - " A very famous sportsman has told me that he frequently breeds from brothers and sisters : as I should be very unwilling to urge any thing

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 51

Breediii" in and in.

in opposition to such an authority, you had better try it." Such a system I cannot recommend for the following reasons :

In the first place, I would wish it to be fully impressed upon the mind of the sportsman, that, whenever, by judicious crosses or otherwise, he has obtained hounds of first-rate excellence, he must, nevertheless, in order to preserve such excellence, call in the assistance of other breeds of repute ; smce, if he confine the propa- gation to the same family, the strain will degenerate, and m the thu'd or fourth generation will become literally good for nothing. - Relationship should be as much as possible avoided in breeding, nor can any better plan be adopted than procuring either the dog or bitch from a distant part of the country.

The ill consequences of breeding in and in, to use a sportsman's phrase, are now tolerably well known, and the remark is not confined to hounds only, but would seem to apply equally perhaps to the whole circle of nature. The judicious farmer, aware of the evil, spares neither expense nor pains in crossing his horses, cows, and sheep ; his pigs and poultry. Even the human species, by the intermarriages of famihes, strikingly exemplifies these observations - degeneracy of mind as of body is thus produced ; scrofulous diseases are the certain result ; and hence scrofula is less frequent in large towns ; but is uniformly found to prevail in all secluded villages, where the continued intercourse of thesame families has existed for a few generations.

If, therefore, the object of the sportsman be to pro- cure and maintain a good breed of hounds, let him have

52 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Treatment of Young Hounds.

recourse to other breeds of undisputed merit, if from a distant part the better perhaps ; but if his neighbour's dogs stand in no degree of affinity, he need not be at the trouble of seeking for greater strangers.

The foregoing remarks are not exclusively appUcable to animated nature, but may be very justly extended to the vegetable world : hence the farmer never sows corn on the land where it was produced ; and hence seed potatoes grown in Scotland are imported into Lancashire, where this useful vegetable attains the utmost possible perfection.

A bitch will become proud very frequently before she is twelve months old, the first symptoms of which are the red appearance and sweUing of the vulva; but she will not, for some days, suffer the dog to ward her : however, as the heat advances, she will play and dally with him, and manifest every inclination to copulate. But as these animals grow generally till they are two years old, they ought not to be suffered to breed before that period. Nor is it a little remarkable, that, if you suffer a bitch to receive several dogs, such as a terrier, a greyhound, a bulldog, &c. she will frequently produce puppies of all the different kinds.

Young hounds should be tied up or confined as little as possible, as it spreads their feet, and they become out at the elbows, and bandy-legged. The same effects will be produced in a full-grown dog, but in a much less degree. Dogs of all ages should have free access to good clean water, a clear stream if possible.

The period of gestation in the bitch is about sixty- three days. The young are brought forth blind : the

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 53

Dog's Age.

two eye-lids are not merely glued together, but shut up with a membrane, which is torn off as soon as the muscles of the upper eye-lids acquire sufficient strength to over- come this obstacle to vision, which generally happens about the tenth day. At this period the young annuals are extremely clumsy and awkward. The bones of the head are not completed ; the body and muzzle are bloated, and the whole figure appears ill-designed. Their growth, however, is rapid ; and in about six weeks they acquire the use of all their senses. When four months old, they lose their teeth, which are quickly replaced, and are never afterwards changed.

A dog's age may be tolerably well ascertained by the appearance of his teeth. A young dog's teeth generally look clean and white ; - at an early period of his existence, his front teeth are serrated, and as he increases in age, this saw-like appearance gradually wears out. At four years old, or perhaps sooner, it is no longer observable : the teeth turn yellow, ftide, and drop out as the animal grows old ; and if he be fed principally on bones, his teeth become short and blunt at an early period. A dog, if worked hard, will turn grey at eight or nine years of age, and exhibit every symptom of decay - such as bad sight, loss of hearing, &c. Fourteen years is the general period allotted for the life of a dog ; but if he be kept to hard labour each season, he will seldom live so long.

CHAPTER IV.

Diseases of Hounds and Methods of Cure.

Young hounds should be put out to quarters, as soon as they are fit to leave the bitch ; and, if there are suffi- cient quarters for the whole of them so much the better. They will of course be taken into the kennel towards the spring of the following year : sometimes it will happen, that young hounds manifest a disposition to chase, and ultimately to worry, sheep, on which account, it becomes necessary to take them into the kennel at an early period.

" When young hounds are first taken into the kennel, they should be kept separate from the pack ; and as it will happen at a time of the year, when there is little or no hunting, you may easily give them up one of the ken- nels, and grass court adjoining. Their play frequently ends in a battle ; it is therefore less dangerous, when they are all equally matched. What Somervile says on this subject is exceedingly beautiful. -

'- But here with watchful and observant eye. Attend their frolics, which too often end In bloody broils and death. High o'er thy head Wave thy resounding whip, and with a voice Fierce-menacing o'er-rule the stern debate, And quench their kindling rage ; for oft in sport Begun, combat ensues, growling they snarl. Then, on their haunches rear'd, rampant they seize E^ch other's throats, with teeth, and claws, in gore Besmcar'd, they wound, they tear, till on the ground,

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 55

Quarrelsome Hounds.

Panting, half dead, the conquer'd champion lies : Then sudden all the base ignoble crowd Loud-clam'ring seize the helpless worried wretch, And thirsting for his blood, drag different ways His mangled carcass on th'ensanguin'd plain. O breasts of pity void ! t'oppress the weak, To point your vengeance at the friendless head, And with one mutual cry insult the fallen ! Emblem too just of man's degenerate race."

'* If you find they take a dislike to any particular hound the safest way will be to remove him ; or it is very pro- bable they will kill him at last. When a feeder hears the hounds quarrel in the kennel, he halloos to them to stop them. He then goes in amongst them, and flogs every hound he can come near. - How much more reason- able as well as more efficacious would it be, were he to see which wei"e the combatants, before he speaks to them. Punishment would then fall as it ought, on the guilty only. In all packs there are some hounds more quarrelsome than the rest ; and it is to them we owe all the mischief that is done. If you find chastisement cannot quiet them, it may be prudent to break their holders ; for since they are not necessary to them for the meat they have to eat, they are not likely to serve them in any good purpose.

** Young hounds should be fed twice a day, as they seldom take kindly at first to the kennel-meat, and the distemper is very likely to seize them at this time. It is better not to round them till they are thoroughly settled ; nor should it be put off till the hot weather, for then they would bleed too much."

Beckford says, "if any of the dogs are thin over the back, or any more quarrelsome than the rest, it will be

56 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Worming Puppies.

of use to cut them : I also spay such bitches (says he) as I think I shall not want to breed from ; they are more useful, are stouter, and are always in better order : be- sides it is absolutely necessary, if you hunt late in the spring ; or your pack will be very short for want of it. It may be right to tell you, that the latter operation does not always succeed ; it will be necessary therefore to employ a skilful person, and one on whom you can depend ; for if it is ill done, though they cannot have puppies, they will go to heat notwithstanding."

I must confess I am no strenuous advocate for the practise of reducing hounds to the tieuter gender, or at least depriving them of the power of procreation ; nor can I help thinking, that, with the loss of this power, hounds suffer a diminution of strength also - they are certainly more easily kept in condition ; in fact, they are apt to become too fat. If, however, it be determined to resort to spaying, it is advisable to have the operation performed at an early period, when the iuiimal is only a few months old, for instance.

Worming puppies is a ridiculous operation ; - it will not have the effect, which is erroneously attributed to it, namely, of rendering the animal incapable of biting when labouring under paroxysms of hydrophobia How it ever could be supposed that extracting a sinew which runs longitudinally under a dog's tongue Avould have the above effect, is a matter of surprise ; and I blush at my own thoughtlessness in adopting in several instances the fool- ish idea, the offspring of ignorance, cind putting an animal to pain, where no possible benefit could ever be reason- ably expected.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 57

Diseases of Hounds.

Dogs, and young ones in particular, should be kept in the country. If when a whelp be taken from its dam, it is fed upon light food, such as potatoes and buttermilk, with a little oatmeal, &c. and seldom or never indulged with carrion, or flesh of any kind, it will scarcely ever be attacked with the distemper, a disease which has been long known in this country, and which makes frightful havock amongst dogs bred in towns, highly fed, and which have little exercise : - exercise in particular is a very es- sential requisite to the health of young dogs.

Hounds are subject to all the disorders to Avhich dogs in general are liable, and there are several diseases which would appear peculiar to them, which will be pointed out in their proper place in the course of the following pages.

Young hounds, however, placed at good quarters, are little liable to disease ; but are much more subject to ill- ness when taken into the kennel. I shall give a list of the diseases to which hounds are hable whether in or out of the kennel ; in which, I am sorry to say, I shall be able to derive little, if any, assistance from Beckford ; since his notions on the subject are crude, and his method of treatment, in a great degree, erroneous.

Wild animals reclaimed from a state of nature and do- mesticated, are susceptible of great change and variety in form, colour, and character ; and owing no doubt ta being thus compelled to assume in some degree, an arti- ficial mode of life, they are rendered more liable to dis- orders. Animals in a state of nature are little subject to disease : and though the wild dog subsists on flesh and carrion, it is more than probable he is never troubled,

D

58 HUNTING. DIRECTORY.

The Distemper.

with what is distinguished by the appellation of the dis- temper, or with any of that long catalogue of disorders, to which he is rendered obnoxious after having become the companion of man.

T/te Distempei: - The distemper frequently attacks a hound before he has attained his first year. As a pre- liminary observation, it may be remarked, that the same membrane which lines the nostrils extends down the wind-pipe into the lungs ; and the distemper, in the first instance, may be regarded as an inflammation of this membrane ; which, if not timely removed, extends down to the lungs, where suppvu*ation will soon be produced ; when the animal's eye will become dull, accompanied by a mucous discharge, a cough, and loss of appetite. As the disease advances it presents various appearances, but is frequently attended with twitchings about the head, while the animal becomes excessively weak in the loins and hinder extremities ; indeed he appears completely emaciated, and smells intolerably. At length, the twitch- ings assume the appearance of convulsive fits, accompanied with giddiness, which cause the dog to turn round : he has a constant disposition to dung, with obstinate cos- tiveness or incessant purging.

On the first appearance of the symptoms which I have described, I should recommend the dog to be bled* very freely and his body opened with a little castor oil or syrvip of buckthorn : this will generally remove the disease altogether, if apphed the moment the first symp-

* The quantity of blood taken to be regulated by the age and size of the dog.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 59

Kemedies for the Distemper.

toms appear. If, however, this treatment should not have the desh'ecl effect, and a cough ensues, accompa- nied with a discharge at the nose, give him from two grains to eight of tartar emetic (according to the age and size of the dog) every other day. When the nervous symptoms ensue, which I have ah'eady described, ex- ternal stimulants (such as sal-ammoniac and oil, equal parts) should be rubbed along the course of the spinal marrow, and tonics given internally, such as bark, Sec.

Of the various remedies, the following was given with success to a dog, so afflicted as to be scarcely able to stand : -

Turbeth's mineral, six grains

mixed with sulphur, and divided into three doses, one given every other morning. Let a few days elapse, and repeat the course. Another :

Calomel, one grain and a half rhubarb, five grains

given every other day for a week. Another :

Antimonial powder, sixteen grains powdered fox-glove, one grain

made into four bolusses with conserve of roses, and one given at night, and another the next morning for two days.

I have known whitening administered for the distem- per, a table spoonful every morning, with a little opening physic occasionally.

I have uniformly found a complete cure effected from copious and repeated venesection in the early stage of the

i-j: D 2

€0 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Description of

distemper, accompanied with a little opening medicine, syrup of buckthorn, for instance. In the kennel of Sir Harry Mainwaring, the distemper generally swept away a third of the young hounds at least. In the present year (1826) my system of treating the distemper was adopted, and a single whelp has not been lost ; in fact, not one has been seriously affected. Head, the huntsman, bled them freely on the first indication of the disease, and admini- stered an opening dose, which effectually answered the purpose.

The following scientific description of the distemper and its mode of treatment, cannot fail to be highly inter- esting :

" A little black spaniel, six months old, very fat and playftd, gradually became listless and irritable ; his eyes suffiised with water, his drooping ears, tenesmus, rough coat, dyspnoea, and frequent cough, announced that the disease called the Distemper was at hand. In this state he ran about for several days, when the difficulty of breathing increased. His flanks beat violently, and he shewed signs of feeling great pain when his sides were pressed upon. Soon after he became slightly convulsed, and by his continual and melancholy cry, both day and night, proved that he was suffering from severe bodily pahi. The convulsions increased and became incessant ; his debility and emaciation were daily more apparent, and at the expiration of three weeks he died.

For four days before his death, he lay in a supine quiet state, perfectly conscious of what was passing near him ; and it was only a few hoiu-s previous to his dissolution, that he became comatose, and perfectly insensible. Dur- ing the whole period of his illness, there was no aber-

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 61

the Distemper.

ration oi' mind ; he was irritable, snapped at tliose who approached him, foamed at the mouth, but did not refuse the small quantities of broth, milk, and other liquids which were occasionally offered him.

" Dissection. - The carcass was lean, but on opening the abdomen, the omentum, intestines, and other viscera were loaded with fot. The liver was of a dark dull red colour congested with blood, the gall bladder distended with greenish bile, the stomach and intestines were dis- coloured with viscid yellow bile, some of which was con- tained in the stomach.

"The kidneys were free from disease, and the urinary bladder was full of urine.

*' Thorax or chest - no preternatural adhesions or symptoms of inflanniiation of the pleura costalis existed. The lungs were highly inflamed and of a dark brown co- lour, i-endered heavy and solid by the effusion of coagu- lable lymph. On cutting into their substance numerous drops of white purulent matter escaped from the bronchise, and on a careful examination they were found completely full and choaked up with matter.

" The trachea Avas inflamed, and contained a good deal of pus of the same nature.

*' The heart and large blood vessels adjoining were distended with dark, black, coagulated blood ; the sub- stance of the heart itself was much inflamed ; and a small quantity of serum was observed in the cavities of the pleura and pericardium.

" A young fox-hound having died of the Distemper, I proceeded to ascertain the causes of his death and com- menced with an examination of the nervous system. For

d3

62 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Appearances of the Distemper

this purpose a considerable portion of the cranium was removed, by first sawing through the frontal sinuses transversely, and continuing the instrument laterally and downwards through the occipital bone : the bony pro- cesses peculiar to carnivorous animals, which assist in forming the falx major, were taken away, and the brain fairly exposed to view.

" The frontal sinuses were filled with a thin, white fluid, resembling pus, which flowed out freely from the opening made by the saw.

" The dura mater was perfectly healthy.

"The veins of the pia mater covering the left hemi- sphere of the cerebrum were more dilated with blood than those on the opposite side. The substance of the brain was firm, and bore no appearance of disease ; nor was there any iilteration in the structvu-e of the ventricles. The origins of all the nerves were clear and distinct. The olfactory pair were extremely large, and looked more like processes of brain than nerves. The pineal gland was present in the form of a small pellucid speck, and was seen in its usual situation at the posterior ex- tremity of the third ventricle.

" The cerebellum, the pons varolii, and the medulla obl^gata were healthy ; on dividing the latter, a little serum was found in the base of the cranium, and on hold- ing the dog up by the hind legs about two drachms more issued from the sheath of the spinal marrow.

"The lateral and cavernous sinuses were filled with dark purple blood.

" Examiiiation of the Spinal Marroiv. - An incision being carried from the occipital bone down to the sa-

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 63

on Dissection.

crum, the muscles were dissected back on each side ; and by several applications of the saw, the medulla was laid bare throughout its whole length. The spinal marrow, narrow at its origin, gradually increased in size as it des- cended to the joints. The dura mater was very firm, thin, and rather opaque. It could easily be separated from the medulla, which was of a beautiful white colour, con- sisting of two columns, each again divisible into several others ; so that there was no appearance of disease to be discovered in the spinal marrow or its membranes ; but as the vertebral veins were traced up the spinal canal, they became turgid and more full of blood, and when they had reached the middle of the cervical vertebra they were greatly distended, and must by their pressure on the spinal marrow have influenced its fiuictions.

" Having now completed the dissection of the brain and spine, the thorax and abdomen became the subjects of inquiry.

" The trachea was very large, and contained a puru- lent fluid ; its mucous coat was inflamed and corrugated. " The lungs presented a very peculiar appearance, es- pecially the left, a large portion of which was converted into a substance of a yellowish brown, covered with dark black spots, and divided from the remaining healthy part, which was of a florid red colour, by a complete and dis- tinct line of separation.

" The discoloured lobes, on being cut into, were solid, and evidently impervious to the admission of air. The bronchial tubes were full of the same thick white pus noticed in my former dissection, and which exuded in large drops.

64 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

" The right hmg was entirely changed into a dark brown mass. The internal jugular and subclavian veins together with the venae cavae, were distended with blood. The heart was enlarged, and the pericardium drawn tight over ii. The left auricle and ventricle contained blood, but the right auricle and ventricle were literally gorged to their utmost extent with dark grumous coagu- lated blood. There were no marks of preternatural adhesions or inflammation of the pleura costalis, nor was there more than one ounce of serum within its cavity.

"'Abdomen. - There was a good deal of viscid yellow- ish bile in the stomach ; its villous coat was inflamed and corrugated.

" The liver was of a dark red colour congested with blood.

" The gall bladder was full of a greenish bile. ^* The urinary bladder contained a straw coloured urine.

" The kidneys, omentum, and peritoneum, were in a healthy state ; but the intestines seemed to have sufl^er- ed from the acrimony of the bile.

" Remarks. - From the preceding dissections it must be evident that the Distemper is an inflammatory disor- der, more particularly affecting the mucous coats of the bronchial tubes, and that the great congestions of blood found in the heart and other vital organs must arise from the obstruction it meets with in its passage through the lungs. The particular time at which the disorganisation commences must depend on the violence of the symp- toms ; and it does appear that the disease can be divided into three natural stages : -

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 65

the Distemper.

" 1st. The stage offerer and general excitement.

" 2nd. The deposition of coagulable lymph into the substance of the lungs : and

" 3rd. The effusion of matter into the bronchial tubes.

" In drawing this view of the complaint, the liver is not to be overlooked ; and it would seem as if this organ was, by a general irritability of the system, excited to a state of unusual activity, and that thus, by the presence of an increased and vitiated state of the bile, the stomach and bowels were brought into a disordered condition, and their villous coats inflamed.

" Upon the epidemic, contagious, or other causes pre- disposing to the Distemper, it is not now my intention to oifer any remarks ; but I shall proceed to the treatment which appearances after death would indicate.

" It is necessary for me to add that I have no experi- ence of its efficacy, nor do I pretend to say that it will be successful. Indeed the object of this paper is rather to induce those who may have daily opportunities of be- coming acquainted with the complaint, by observing its causes, symptoms, and progress, to form an idea of its nature ; and lastly, by the operation of remedies and frequent dissections, to arrive at some certain conclusions.

" Treatment. - At the commencement of the symptoms, or during the first stage of excitement, the dog should be bled freely, according to his age and strength. After wliich an emetic of tartarised antimony or ipecacuanha should l)e administered, and its operation promoted by mild bland fluids ; moderate doses of calomel, opium, and antimony, should be given every three or four hours, and the excess of bile removed by occasional doses of

6& HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Treatment of

castor oil. The dog should be immersed for twenty minutes in a warm bath, rubbed dry, and placed in clean warm straw ; the temperature of his apartment should be moderately warm, taking great care to exclude the cold air, which must necessarily irritate the lungs. - Having continued this plan for forty-eight hours, a mix- ture, consisting of nitre, fox-glove, and ipecacuanha, should be given three or four times a day until the urgent symptoms have subsided. Stimulants should never be given but when the animal appears much exhausted, and after the preceding measures have been adopted : a little white wine might then be put into the gruel, which should constitute his food from the primary attack. When recovering, little more than bread-and-milk or nourishing broths will be necessary.

'* It occasionally happens that the irritability of the stomach is such that no medicines can be retained. In- jections in these cases havebeen attended with beneficial effects ; and therefore a solution of starch with laudanum should be thrown up several times in the course of twenty- four hours : a blister also should be applied to the region of the stomach.

"With regard to the treatment of the second and third stages, when the first has been violent and neglect- ed, very little can be expected from medicine. Bleeding would be highly injurious; and calomel, opium, and antimony, combined with expectorants, would most pro- bably offer the greatest prospect of success. Strength should be carefidly supported by a nutritious diet, but all strong cordials ought to be avoided.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 67

the Di6temi>er.

" Although it is hkely the fever accompanying the distemper has a pecuhar character, I am decidedly of opinion that there is no specific remedy against this com- plaint : and it is better to point out the indications of cure, than to enumerate a long list of medicines with their respective doses, the selection of which must depend on the circumstances of each individual case.

Richard Williams, Surgeon."

Aberystwith, June 10, 1825."

I am not aware of any other remedies worth notice, though a great number might be added, if we could give credit to the stories retailed by dealers in dogs, as well as gamekeepers and huntsmen. Much will be foimd to depend on good nursing, and particularly to prevent the animal from taking cold. - From what I have witnessed of Blaine's medicine, I should not recommend it.

It is very advisable to inoculate for the distemper. If you can nleet with a dog already afflicted, take a little mucous from his nose, and insert it up the nostrils of your whelp, after having prepared him by a dose or two of syrup of buckthorn ; if the animal does not take the disease, repeat the operation. By inoculating for the distemper, the disease will be as much less severe, as the inoculated small pox compared to what is called the natural mode of taking it.

A dog rarely, if ever, has the distemper twice ; nor does it often attack him after he has attained the age of two years ; but frequently makes its appearance before the animal has reached his twelfth month. A notion be-

68 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

The Cow Pock.

came prevalent a few years back, that by inoculating a dog with the cow pock, the distemper would be pre- vented.

The Coiv Pock. - Dr. Jenner has asserted that by inoculating dogs for the cow pock, a " disease similar to that which is called the dog's distemper is produced, but in a very slight degree. What is most remarkable, (adds Dr. Jenner) this inoculation renders them afterwards unsusceptible of that affection." Dr. Jenner is certainly no mean authority : but, having tried the experiment a number of times, from what I have witnessed, I can as- sert, that unless much more than ordinary pains are taken in the operation, no disease whatever will be produced ; and when at length, pustules have been raised, they have not been attended with symptoms any way resembling what is called the distemper.

The catalogue of dog diseases is extended in some publications to a puzzling length, where the various rami- fications or different stages of each disease receive a new name, in direct violation of that clearness and perspicuity so preferable, indeed so essentially requisite, in a state- ment of cases, many of which are frequently doubtful even to the skilful and experienced. Young dogs are very subject to worms, and appearances thus produced are too often mistaken for other disorders, receive various appellations, and are treated in the most injudicious manner. I have been informed that the following will cure the distemper ; but I have never tried it ; and am rather sceptical as to the fact : -

One clove of garlic given every or every other day, or accord- ing to the violence of the disorder.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 69

Worms,

Worms. - Dogs, like liuinan beings, are subject to worm diseases of various kinds. A disorder, generally distinguished by the appellation of lank madness, is pro- duced by short thick worms, which occasionally breed in the animal's stomach and intestines. This, and what is denominated sleeping madness, appear to be merely two names for the same disease. When a hound is thus afflicted, he will become lean, though he will feed vora- ciously ; as the disorder increases, his appetite in a great degree forsakes him ; his eyes appear dull and drowsy, and he will manifest an almost continual inclination for slumber, without being able, however, to sleep soundly -

Take of calomel, six grains

common soap, two scruples

made into two bolusses, one of which to be given at night, and tlie other the following morning : after two days, the same to be repeated, and in four days more, give the following :

Extract of coloquintida, two scruples

made into three bolusses, and one given every morning ; on the fourth morning, give the animal a table spoonful of syrup of buckthorn. If the worms should not be entirely destroyed, in a little time repeat the course.

Hounds are often troubled with large worms, which, without medicine, are occasionally voided singly or in clusters. Their existence may be known by the dog's voracity and leanness. The best remedy is the preced- ing, though the following may probably answer the purpose :

Calomel, three grains

jalap, twenty grains

golden sulphur of antimony, four grains

70 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

mixed up with butter or lard into one dose. Three of these doses to be given - one every other morning.

A table spoonful or two of linseed oil, given the first thing in a morning, will frequently bring away a quantity of worms : but it can never be depended on as an effec- tual remedy, for the following reason : - upon the linseed oil being swallowed, those worms with which it comes in contact, that are not fastened on the intestines, but loose as it were, in expectation of food, will be brought away ; but such as are fast to the intestines (and many will be found so situated) stick like leeches, and thus prevent the effects of the oil. There is nothing so effectual as calomel. Calomel administered externally, in tolerable plenty, upon the human subject, will destroy Avorms in the stomach. - If the worms are situated near the anus, the calomel may be so completely absorbed, when taken inwardly, as to lose its effect before it reaches that part ; some tobacco smoke blown up the anus (which may be easily done by inserting the thin end of a pipe) will most completely destroy these noxious vermin, and they will be voided, most likely, in prodigious numbers.

The remark which was made on the last article would equally apply in this place, respecting the numerous remedies prescribed for the same disease. What are mentioned throughout are such as will be found to answer the purpose ; and to give a number of doubtful and inef- fectual recipes, for the sake of making a long list, or giving a false air of importance to the subject, would be as perplexing to the reader as it would be contemptible and even dishonest, in the writer.

However, for worms, generally speaking, the following

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 71

Convulsions or Fits.

may be regarded as a sovereign remedy, and there are few cases which it will not effectually cure - take

Linseed oil, half a pint

oil of turpentine, two drachms*

repeat the dose, if necessary.

Convulsions or Fits. - Complaints of this nature are sometimes caused by an accumulation of worms in the stomach, which in the first stage create giddiness, and end in violent convulsive paroxysms. When the com- plaint is to be attributed to worms, the animal will have an itching at the nose and fundament, and will sneeze frequently. In this case, the best treatment is what has been already prescribed for worms. When convulsions proceed from other causes, which may be generally known by a wild appearance in the animal's eyes, frothing at the mouth, when labouring under the most violent paroxysm of convulsion, the dog may be recovered by being thrown into the water, perhaps a bucket of water thrown over him might answer the purpose : but this is merely a temporary relief ; and to eradicate the disease, recourse must be had to something more effectual. In the first place, the animal should lose a few ounces of blood ( from three to six ounces, according to his size and strength) when the following should be administered : -

Jalap, one scruple

cream of tartar, half a dram

water, one ounce

mixed ; half taken the morning after the dog has been bled ; the other half in two hours after, well shaken : -

* I am supposing for a full-grown dog.

72 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Megrim.

a rowel should afterwards be put in the neck, and kept open for a considerable time : the following should then be given : -

Peruvian bark, half an ounce water, half a pint

boiled for a few minutes and strained ; then add, sweet spirit of nitre, one dram : a table spoonful to be given every two hours, the animal afterwards to be kept on a mild nourishing diet.

Wlien convulsions arise from indigestion, the following has generally been found efficacious : - from two to eight grains of tartar emetic (according to the age and size of the dog) and in tAvo days after, give the following : -

Calomel, six grains Barbadoes aloes, half a dram

Divide into six doses, and administer one every, or per- haps every other, morning, as you may judge the patient can bear it ; when you may give tonics, as recommended under the head Distetnper.

What is called the megrim or giddiness in the head is a species of fit, and may be removed by bleeding. The same disease is, by some, &ex\ovi\\naiedi falling madness, (a ridiculous name certainly) from, I suppose, the animal occasionally falling from giddiness. When thus afflicted, the dog will frequently rub his feet against the sides of his mouth, and appear as if he had a bone in his throat. Any of these symptoms will give way to the treatment just described : and where the disorder is not very vio- lent, it may generally be removed by bleeding ; which, as it has formed a principal feature for the last few pages.

HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Bleeding.

it may not be amiss to say a word or two on the best mode of performing the operation under a distinct head.

Bleed'mg. - In speaking on this subject, I am not sup- posing that the huntsman is a member of the medical profession in any of its branches, but sufficiently skilled in anatomy to know a vein from an artery, which is all the knowledge requisite for performing the operation of bleeding a dog. A vein* may be distinguished from an artery by its having no pulsation ; if an artery of any consequence should be divided, the blood will flow in irregular gushes, it will be difficult to stop, and may cause the death of the dog. However, there is little danger of such an unpleasant circumstance happening, and an ordinary degree of attention is quite sufficient to obviate it. The most convenient, and the best place to bleed a dog, is to open a vein (the jugular vein) longitudinally, in the side of the neck, round which a cord should be first tied ; and if the huntsman is not expert at handling a lancet, he may purchase a fleam at any of the shops where surgical instruments are sold, which, by means of springs, is so contrived that the greatest bungler need be under no apprehension. Those who sell this instru- ment will describe the method of using it, which indeed is so obvious at first view as to render elucidation super- fluous in this place.

If, after the vein is opened, the animal should not bleed freely, pressure a little below the orifice will cause the blood to flow. When sufficient Ijlood has been

* An artery brings the blood from the heart ; a vein carries back the blood to the heart.

74 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Cold and Cough - Formica.

taken, (eight ounces, if a strong dog) the bleeding will generally subside ; should this not be the case, a little fur from a hat will stop it ; or, the lips of the orifice may be drawn together with a needle and thread.

The vein should be opened longitudinally, as I have already observed ; as, if opened in a transverse direction, it may be difficult to stop the bleeding, owing to the cir- cimfistance of the incision opening every time the dog holds down or stretches out his head.

Caustic or hot iron will stop bleeding, even when an artery is divided ; or it may be sewn up.

Cold and Cough. - A cough arises from an irritation of the lungs, and may be produced by a cold or other- wise ; it is generally the effect of cold, and may be re- moved by

Antimonial powder, five grains calomel, four grains

made with honey into two bolusses, and given in the evening for two nights successively.

If a hound should be afflicted with a cough, in the first place, examine his throat, in order to ascertain if any' pieces of bone are lodged there, as such a circumstance will cause a dog to cough for weeks. If the cough arises from cold, administer a dose* or two of syrup of buck- thorn. Should the cough still continue, give tartar emetic as described under the head Distemj^er.

Formica, Scab in the Ears. - A little mercurial oint- ment rubbed upon the affected parts every two or three days, will very soon effect a cure.

* A table spoonful is a dose for a common sized hound.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 75

Canker, Swellings, ."ic.

Canker i.>. the hips. - Rub the aifected parts with alum-water two or three times a day :

Or, rub with bole ammoniac and burnt alum two or three times a day.

Swellings in general. - See Liflammation, page 78.

Films in the Eye. - Bathe the affected part twice a day with water in which a little vitriol has been dissolved, (the size of a large horse bean to a pint of spring water) and in a minute or two wash it in clear water.

Or bathe with the following lotion twice a day : -

Sulphate of copper, one scruple water, four ounces

Sprains. - Sprains are painful swellings of the liga- ments and tendons of the joints, and are caused by too great exertion of the limbs, of which the tendons become relaxed. They should be well rubbed with the following twice a day : - -

Camphor, two drams brandy, one ounce

when the camphor is well dissolved, add one ounce of sweet oil, and shake them well together. Should this not have the desired effect, try the following : -

Spirit of hartshorn, two drams sweet oil, six drams

well shaken, and applied as the other. Give a spoonful or two of syrup of buckthorn.

N. B. As sprains are attended with inflammation,* this should be got rid of in the first place by fomenting

* See also the article " Inflammation," page 78.

e2

76 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

with warm water four or five times a day, and the fol- lowing lotion applied : -

Extiact of lead, two ounces

water, one pint

Should any stiffness remain after the inflammation has totally subsided, apply a blister.

IVoimds, and to stop an Effusion of Blood. - The fol- lowing will be found very effective in wounds :

Spirit of sal ammoniac, opodeldoc, sweet nitre, equal parts

wine, half quantity

spirit of turpentine, half quantity

If an artery is wounded, it may be known (as before observed) by the blood gushing out (not flowing regu- larly) and assuming a florid appearance. If a vein is wounded, the blood will be darker coloured and flow regularly.

Wounds may be divided into two classes - incised^ or those cut with a sharp instrument ; and contused, or those inflicted with any thing blunt or heavy.

Slight wounds require little or no attention ; but sup- posing a serious incised wound, the first operation should be cutting, or rather shaving, the hair from around the wound, when, if the blood continues to flow, it should be stopped by filling the wound with bits of sponge or dry lint ; if the wound be in the dog's limbs, a bandage tied very tight just above it will materially assist in stop- ping the flow of blood, should not the sponge or lint be found sufficient. The edges or lips of the wound should afterwards be stitched, or drawn close together with ad- hesive plaister cut into shps long enough to extend three or four inches on each sNJde - the number of slips must of

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 77

Contused Wounds.

course be regulated by the size of the wound : plenty of lint or soft rag should be laid on, over which a roller or bandage must be applied to confine the dressing, which should not be removed for four or five days. The wound should afterwards be dressed with Turners cerate spa- ringly spread on rag, and the bandage as before, and great caution used not to remove the adhesive plaister till the third or fourth dressing. A table spoonful of syrup of buckthorn may be occasionally given to keep the animal's bowels open : and he must be muzzled or otherwise so secured as to prevent his tearing away or disturbing the bandage.

Contused wounds are more painful than incised ; always swohi, ragged, and not attended with much hcemorrhage or flow of blood : no attempt should be made to bring the edges together, but a cold poultice apphed, made with oatmeal and the followmg lotion :

Goulard's extract of lead, one dram vinegar, two ounces water, one pint

the poultice should extend over the swelled parts sur- rounding the wound, and be renewed three or four times during the day. When the wound begins to suppurate or discharge, unaccompanied with blood, the cold poul- tice should be changed for a warm one, consisting of oatmeal and water in which there is a httle grease, and renewed three times a day as warm as the dog can bear it. In a few days the matter will be completely dis- charged, when the wound should be dressed daily with yellow basilicon spread on rag, and a long roller applied tightly over.

e3

78 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Inflammation.

N. B. Whenever fungus or proud flesh appears, it should be touched with blue stone.

Inflammation. - In^s^mmdiiion arises from various causes ; but is distinguished by the part affected be- coming swoln, dry, and hot. A shght degree of inflam- mation will generally subside without the aid either of medicine or external apphcation. Bleeding in the neck will frequently remove an inflammation ; or the applica- tion of leeches to the aflfected part, having previously shaved the hair off. If the swelhng or tumour becomes larger, soft, and shining, matter is forming, when warm poultices should be applied as described under contused wounds, and the same treatment adopted. When the matter is completely formed (which may be known by the fluctuation of the fluid upon a shght pressure) if the skin is very thin, a deep opening or incision should be made with a lancet on the prominent part ; but if hard- ness is felt the tumour must remain till it breaks itself. - After the tumour is emptied, care should be taken that the air does not penetrate, or the wound will be much more difficult to heal.

When a hound's eyes become inflamed, and assume a red and fiery appearance, bleeding will generally reheve

him.

Dogs, however, are not very subject to inflammation ; and, generally speaking, will be troubled with few dis- eases if properly dieted and exercised. Dogs kept in towns are much more subject to disorders, than such as are kept in the country. Confinement is always injurious to health.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 79

Sore Feet, &c.

For the bite of another Dog. - See the article Wounds, &c. page 76.

Sore Feet. - Styptic tincture ; or, if this cannot be procured, salt and water.

For extracting Thorns. - Thorns may be generally extracted with the thumb and fore-finger nails ; or re- course may be had to the assistance of the pen-knife in the same way as the sportsman would extract a thorn from his own finger. The dog will frequently perform the operation with his mouth. If the wound festers, the thorn may be squeezed out.

To bring Hair upon a scalded part. - Fresh hog's lard rubbed frequently upon the affected part, will reproduce hair ; indeed, I am inclined to think that animal fat in general will have the desired effect. Fresh goose grease or the fat of fowls, unmixed with salt, will answer the purpose equally well. Vegetable oils are of too dry a nature, and their effects, as applied to the growth of hair, pernicious. Yet there are not wanting quacks who daily advertise the sale of oil for the growth of hair on the human head ; and by way of the strongest possible recommendation, specifically state, that it is extracted from vegetables ! This is lamentable ; but it is still more so, that such numbers of the unthinking become the dupes of these ignorant pretenders, whose existence is a stigma on the liberality of the public. To destroy Fleas, Lice, ^'-c.

Take of white arsenic, one dram water, one gallon soft soap, one quarter of a pound

boil for ten minutes ; then take it off the fire and let it

80 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

stand to settle, then pour it ofFinto another vessel, leaving about half a pint at the bottom, which throw away, and dress with the water. - a certain remedy.

Linseed oil, or Scotch snufF, rubbed well all over the body is a temporary remedy. A good washing with common soap and water will perhaps answer the purpose.

In hot weather, hounds are much troubled with fleas ; and if the huntsman is anxious for their comfort, he will find it necessaiy to use the above several times during the summer. Clean beds and cleanliness in general act as preventives.

To recover the Sense of Smell. - When a hound's ol- factory organs become affected, it will frequently be found to arise from colds, costiveness, or other causes, which a dose or two of opening physic seldom fails to re- move. A little sulphvu' or syrup of buckthorn will have the desired effect.

For Hounds that have taJcen Poison. - For all vege- table poisons, vinegar has been supposed to be a specific. At all events, whether vegetable or mineral poison has been swallowed, the sooner it is discharged from the stomach, the better.

Take of sulphate of copper, half a drachm water, six ounces

Give two table spoonfuls every five minutes until effect- ual vomiting has taken place ; when a strong dose of ' castor oil should be administered, followed by nourishing diet.

Whatever will cause instantaneous vomiting may have the desired effect. If a hound has swallowed poison? and no better remedy happen to be at hand, almost any

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 81

Vegetable Poisons.

kind of oil (rancid or otherwise) poured down the throat is advisable. The poison will most likely be either nox vomica, arsenic, or corrosive sublimate ; however, let the poison be what it will, the best remedy is the following :

Ipecacuanha, fifteen grains water, two table spoonfuls, mixed

Should it not operate in fifteen minutes, repeat the dose. After the operation

Take of prepared kali, three drains water, one ounce

give a table spoonful every fifteen minutes, which will most likely produce vomiting and purging. Afterwards nourishing diet.

*' Antidote for Vegetable Poisons. - M. Drapiez has ascertained, by numerous experiments, that the fruit of the fcM'illea cordifoha is a powerful antidote against vege- table poisons. He poisoned dogs with rhus toxicoden- dron, hemlock, and nox vomica. All those that were left to the effects of the poison died, but those to whom the fruit of the fewillea cordifolia was administered, re- covered completely, after a short illness. M. Drapiez also took two arrows which had been dipt in the juice of manchinelle, and slightly wounded with them two young cats. To the one of these he applied a poultice, com- posed of the fruit of the fewillea cordifolia, while the other was left without any ^pphcation. The wound of the former speedily healed ; while the other, in a short time, fell into convulsions, and died."

It is very difficult however to save the life of a dog that has taken poison. Nox vomica is what the base

82 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

The Mange.

minded generally use for the purpose. If recourse can be had to the process before described the moment the animal has swallowed the baneful drug, I should have no doubt of success ; but if only a few minutes elapse, the cure is extremely doubtful. I have witnessed several instances, in all of which the animals died, though every exertion was used for their preservation.

Sickness, or a Foul Stomach. - A foul stomach pro- ceeds from indigestion ; therefore eight or ten grains of tartar emetic may be very beneficially given, followed^ in a day or two, by a purge of syrup of buckthorn.

A dog never perspires ; but whenever he is unwell, his eyes very strongly exhibit the change, are a certain index of the state of his health, and assume a languid, a dull, or a fiery appearance, according to the natvire of the dis- order with which he is afflicted. The powers of diges- tion in a dog do not appear to be promoted by exercise. If you take a dog into the field to hunt with a full stomach, he will throw up the contents of it in a few minutes, or at least in a short period. If you suffer him to sleep after a hearty meal, the digestion is rapid and healthy.

The Common Mange. - This disorder is very infectious, and originally proceeds from dirty beds, bad food, and filth in general. It has a loathsome, scabby, dirty ap- pearance, somewhat similar to the itch in human beings ; and, like that disease, contains animalcula in each of the pustules. It may be cured with the following : -

Oil of tar

sulphur vivura

train oil, of each an equal quantity

with which the dog should be well rubbed several times,

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 83

jrrj jfi^jfifirifr»-r.^r i i-rr»-rrrrr«i **iTi'i'ri'r-"i I .^^j^a^Aaaii »»» »*i

The Mange.

a day or two elapsing between each rubbing. Sulphur given internally will be of service. Another : -

Flowers of sulphur, half an ounce hog's lard or butter, one ounce

well mixed and rubbed completely over the animal twice a day, giving a tea spoonful of the flowers of sulphur every evening in a little molasses. Keep the animal confined alone, and the moment the cure is effected, give him a clean bed. - As the disease is very infectious, without great care, all your dogs will become disordered.

Mercurial ointment rubbed on the parts affected will remove this disease ; but it is rather a dangerous re- medy, and will kill a weak animal, if not carefully ad- ministered : - muzzle the dog.

An infusion of fox-glove leaves, I have reason to believe, will answer the purpose : it is the cleanest re- medy ; and though I have not had sufficient experience to pronounce its infallibility, I have no hesitation in re- commending it : - put a handful of fox-glove leaves into a quart or three-pint jug, pour boiling water upon them ; and, when cold, rub the dog every day for three or four days. The dog need not be muzzled - as soon as dressed he will attempt to hck, but will not take a second taste.

The following I have seen successfully used : -

Sulphur, two ounces mercurial ointment, two drams hog's lard, four ounces

well mixed : with which rub the dog every other day - three or four dressings will generally be sufficient. Two drams of aloes, mixed up with the above, will not injure

84 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

The Red Mange.

the composition, [and will probably prevent the animal licking himself - otherwise, muzzle him.

The Red Mange. - The disorder called the red MANGE does not appear to be nearly allied to what is so well known by the common appellation of mange, but to be a species of disease within itself, seated in the skin, and not always infectious amongst dogs lying together, but almost invariably communicated by a bitch to her litter of whelps, particularly if she had it vipon her during the time she was in pup. This disorder is most malig- nant in its effect ; the incessant and severe itching, which, from all observation, seems accompanied by a burning heat, and this too increased by the perpetual biting and scratching of the tortured animal, give such parts of the frame as are severely affected, the appearance of having been scalded by some boiling liquor, with a con- sequent loss of hair. It is this distinct kind of mange that so constantly baffles dog-doctors and dog-mongers of every description, and reduces them to their ne plus ultra, where the fertility of invention can go no further. It is, perhaps, the most deceptive disorder to which any part of the animal world can become unluckily subject ; for when it has (seemingly and repeatedly) submitted to, and been subdued by, some of the combinations of com- bustibles before described, it has as suddenly, as repeat- edly, and as unexpectedly, made its re-appearance with all its former virulence. Great care, nice attention, and long experience, have discovered one or two modes of perfect eradication. Let half an ounce of corrosive sub- limate be reduced in a glass mortar to an impalpable powder ; to this, by a very small quantity at a time, add

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 85

The Red Mange.

two ounces (lialf a gill) of spirits of wine ; and, lastly, one pint of rain or river water, and, with a sponge dipt in the solution, let every part palpably affected be well washed, every third day, till thrice performed ; then leave three clear days, and repeat the former ceremony of thrice as before ; letting three mercurial purging halls be given at the equal distances of three or four days, and not the least doubt of cure need be entertained, if the mode prescribed is properly and judiciously attended to.

Of the red mange General Hanger thus speaks : - " My dog had the mange ; not very bad, but something much worse with it ; he had eight or ten large blotches on his body, as big as large hazel nuts. I sent for an old man who made a livelihood by curing dogs : he took a bottle out of his pocket, and first dabbed the blotches with a bit of tow, each two or three times. He then stopped about five minutes, for that to dry in and pene- trate ; after which he took a pot of ointment, and rubbed the dog in well, for at least ten minutes, under the fore legs, and on the belly, but particularly on the hack hone. He then desired me not to wash the dog, or let him go into the water ; telling me, he would call in about five days. When he called, the dog was apparently well ; so much so, that he said he did not think it necessary to rub the dog again : however, I made him dab the blotches again, and rub once more in. - When he called to be paid, I told him that, upon my honour, if he would dis- cover how the liquid and ointment were made, I would give him two guineas, and never discover it till after his death. He consented. The liquid is thus made : - Half

86 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

an ounce of quicksilver is put into a bottle, with half an ounce of oil of turpentine, for about eight hours before using it : shake the bottle frequently, and shake it always when you use it, for there will be a sediment at the bot- tom. The ointment is thus made : - Take half an ounce of quicksilver ; put it into a bottle with half an ounce of oil of turpentine ; let it stand for eight hours, shaking the bottle frequently ; then take four ounces of hog's lard, and by degrees, mix both together, a little of each at a time, till the whole be incorporated. - He told me that he always carried two pots of ointment with him, one stronger than the other, in case of a dog being vei-y bad with the mange. The strongest ointment was made with ofili/ three ounces of hog's lard, but with the same quantity of the quicksilver and turpentine." The following is an effectual cure :

Train oil, one ounce black sulphur, one ounce liquid blister, half an ounce

to be rubbed on the dog every other day.

For the Bite of the Adder, 8^c. - The adder is not un- common in some parts of England, and is occasionally met with, in the heat of summer, among sedges, and in marshy places. It differs from the snake in not being so long, the latter being found from three-quarters to a yard long ; the former seldom, or never, reaching three- quarters of a yard ; there is an appearance of malignity in the countenance of the adder, which does not obtain in that of the snake, the head of which is not so blunt as that of the adder ; while the tail of the latter tapers more abruptly, and it is generally found of a more dusky colour.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 87

and Remedy.

There is, however, another very essential difference : - the snake is destitute of teeth ; while the adder is not only prepared in this respect, but has one particular tooth, in the side of the jaw, which has a communication with a sort of alembic, situated in the reptile's head, and which contains the venom : in this tooth, there is a slit ; and when the creature becomes irritated and bites, the pi'es- sure thus occasioned upon the tooth, causes the venom to ooze through the slit, and it is thus injected into the blood.

I have heard of a reptile, called the slow worm, the bite of which is said to be venomous ; but I never saw one. The snake is perfectly harmless ; the bite of the adder or viper will be attended with serious consequences if a remedy is not speedily applied. The remedy, how- ever, is simple - the immediate application of sweet oil rubbed upon the affected part, counteracts the effects of the venom most surprisingly : as I have witnessed it, I speak with confidence. Indeed, I am of opinion, that any vegetable oil (or animal either, perhaps) will answer the purpose ; and have little doubt, that what will cure the bite of the adder will cure that of the slow worm also. Yet, for a further illustration of this subject, I will bor- row the account of a favourite author. I am aware that the same account has already appeared in various pub- lications ; but, from a conviction that much good may result from its becoming generally known, I shall tran- scribe it without hesitation : -

" One William Oliver, a viper catcher, of Bath, was the first who discovered this admirable remedy. On the first of June, 1735, in the presence of a great number

88 HUNTING DIRECTORY

of persons, he suffered himself to be bit by an old black viper ( brought by one of the company) upon the wrist and joint of the thumb, so that drops of blood came out of the wound : he immediately felt a violent pain both at the top of his thumb and up his arm, even before the viper was loosened from his hand : soon after he felt a pain, resembling that of burning, trickle up his arm ; in a few minutes, his eyes began to look red and fiery, and to water much ; in less than an hour, he perceived the venom seize his heart, with a pricking pain, which was attended with faintness, shortness of breath, and cold sweats ; in a few minutes after this, his belly began to swell, with great gripings and pains in his back, which were attended with vomitings and purgings ; during the violence of these symptoms, his sight was gone for several minutes, but he could hear all the while. He said, that in former experiments he had never deferred making use of his remedy longer than he perceived the effects of the venom reaching his heart ; but this time, being wil- ling to satisfy the company thoroughly, and trusting to the speedy effects of his remedy, which was nothing more than olive oil, he forbore to apply anything, till he found himself exceedingly ill and quite giddy. About an hour and a quarter after the first of his being bit, a chaffing dish of glowing charcoal was brought in, and his naked arm held over it as long as he could bear, while his wife rubbed in the oil with her hand, turning his arm continu- ally round, as if she would have roasted it over the coals : he said the poison soon abated, but the swelling did not diminish much. Most violent purgings and vomitings soon ensued ; and his pulse became so low, and so often

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 89

and Remedy. - Burns and Scalds.

interrupted, that it was thought proper to order him a repetition of cordial potions : he said he was not sensible of any great relief from these ; but that a glass or two of olive oil drank down, seemed to give him ease. Con- tinuing in this dangerous condition, he was put to bed, where his arm was again bathed over a pan of charcoal, and rubbed with olive oil heated in a ladle over the charcoal, by Dr. Mortimer's direction, who was the phy- sician that drew up the account. From this last operation he declared, that he found immediate ease, as though by some charm ; he soon after fell into a profound sleep, and after nine hours' sound rest, awaked, about six the next morning, and found himself very well ; but, in the afternoon, on drinking some rum and strong beer, so as to be almost intoxicated, the swelling returned, with much pain and cold sweats, which abated soon, on bathing the arm, as before, and wrapping it up in brown paper soaked in the oil."

Burns and Scalds assume a very different appearance, according to the degree of heat or violence by which they are occasioned ; if slight, and the skin only irri- tated, they are easily cured by instantly dashing the part affected in cold water, or constantly applying it till the pain and irritation have ceased ; if slight blisters rise they should not be opened at first, as is generally recom- mended ; for if the air penetrates it frequently produces an ulcer or sore. When a burn or scald is more severe, it must be constantly kept wet with rag dipped in the following lotion : -

Goulard's extract of leail, two drams water, half a pint

V

90 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Hydrophobia.

and the part kept as quiet as possible. Strong spirits,

or oil of turpentine, is also serviceable when immediately

applied ; but the lotion is the most successful treatment

either in scalds or burns. After the third or fourth day

the blisters should be opened, but the skin not removed,

and then dressed with the following ointment :

Olive oil, half an ounce

Goulard's extract of lead, one ounce

well mixed together, and spread on lint or soft rag with a bandage over moderately tight.

Wlien burns or scalds are so severe as to destroy the flesh from the bone, warm poultices of oatmeal and water should be apphed, and then treated as sujjpuration. - See the article Wounds, &c. page 76.

The Hydrophobia. - This is a dreadful disease, and has received a very appropriate name, as human beings, but not dogs, when afflicted with this little understood malady, uniformly testify an abhorrence of water, and, I believe, of fluids in general, and even shining substances.

" When Sirius reigns, and the sun's parching beams

Bake the dry gaping surface, visit thou

Each ev'n and morn, with quick observant eye,

Thy panting pack. If, in dark sullen mood,

The glouting hound refuse his wonted meal.

Retiring to some close, obscure retreat,

Gloomy, disconsolate ; with speed remove

The poor infectious wretch, and in strong chains

Bind him suspected. Thus that dire disease

Which art can't cure, wise caution may prevent."

SOMERVILE.

The hydrophobia affords a striking instance of sue-

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 91

Urmskirk Medicine.

cessful quackery in the avidity with which the Ormskirk Medicine was purchased, till within these few years that the imposture has been exposed. This compound of calcined oyster shells, elecampane, roach alum, and bole ammoniac, was originally administered gratis ; but no sooner was it discovered that the medicine was eagerly sought after, than the sale of it was advertised ; agents were appointed in different parts ; and many hundreds purchased and took the medicine who had been bitten, but not by mad dogs. A dog accustomed to the country, is generally alarmed when he approaches a town or vil- lage - the shaking of a cobler's apron, or some such thing, is frequently resorted to by the lower orders - the terrified animal takes to his heels, and will most likely snap at any person who attempts to impede his progress. Nothing is heard but the cry of mad dog ! and many who have been bitten under such circumstances, have called in the assistance of the Ormskirk medicine, and have thus been willing to suppose a disorder prevented, which did not exist in the dog, and which, of course, could not be communicated.

The venders of the Ormskirk medicine, however, made the most of the matter - its infallibihty Wiis23njfed upon the public in the most barefaced manner ; and it was even publicly stated, that such Avas the virtue of the medicine, that even after the hydrophobia had made its appearance, the disease could be removed by takhig it. Cases, with fictitious names, were stated, and the grossest falsehoods resorted to, in order to levy contributions with more plausibility upon the credulity of the unthink- ing. I believe, at present, no person who wishes to

p o

92 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Orraskirk Medicine.

preserve even an appearance of character, will attempt to palm the medicine upon the world ; but it has stiU its supporters, and a number of old women, in various parts of Lancashire, still practice the deception ; and shew considerable dexterity in propping its falling reputatioUr

The recipe was obtained by the late Mr. Hill's father, who resided near Oi-mskirk, from an itinerant tinker, in the year 1704. The medicine is thus prepared : - take one tea spoonful of prepared (calcined) oyster shells, one knife point full of roach alum, as much elecampane, in powder, and half a tea spoonful of bole ammoniac ; all to be powdered finely, and given to the patient in the morning fasting, in a little wine and water, or small beer : at the same time the wound is to be dressed with a pre- paration, varying from that just described, only in a greater portion of roach alum.

Not one dog in twenty, reputed mad, is so in reality - the cxire, or rather the prevention, therefore, is certain in many instances ; and where it happens otherwise, and the dog was labouring under the hydrophobia, the result is most melancholy : but then it is immediately and un- blushingly asserted, that the medicine had not operated in a proper manner - it had not remained upon the stomach, or been taken in sufficient quantity ; and thus the cheat continues, though on a much more circum- scribed scale.

The fact is, that the only certain remedy hitherto dis- covered for this dreadful disease, is the application of the knife : - the blood becomes infected by the saliva from the dog's teeth ; and unless the bitten part can be immediately cut out, death will most likely be the result,

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 93

Hydrophobia.

though the precise time will be very uncertain ; for so capricious is this malady, that, after infection, it some- times lies dormant, as it were, in the system for months, sometimes for weeks ; while instances, I believe, are not wanting, where it has appeared, in all its terrible symp- toms^ in the course of a few days.

It is possible that a person might be bitten by a mad dog, and yet escape the hydrophobia : if, in the act of biting, the animal's teeth pass through a thick woollen coat, or other garment, so that his teeth in passing through are wiped dry, he might inflict a wound without any of the infectious saliva or fluid reaching it.

Respecting the bite of a mad dog, Dr. Vandeburgh very judiciously observes : - " not a moment should be lost to destroy the poison from the wound (even if only on supposition of the animal being mad) ; many reme- dies are recommended, but should not be trusted to ; the only effectual method is to destroy the foundation of the poison, and give the following course of medicine : - the part bitten must be entirely cut out with a sharp in- strument, and the edges of the wound seared with a red- hot iron, to prevent the smallest particle of poison re- maining ; afterwards, warm poultices of oatmeal and water to be applied as warm as the patient can possibly bear, to produce a quick and copious discharge of matter or suppuration. The following pills should be given : -

Calomel, one scruple opium, half a scruple

well mixed and divided into ten pills of equal size, one pill to be taken every four hours ; two drams of strong ointment of quicksilver to be wellrubl)ed in on the thighs

94 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Symptoms of

and arms morning and evening, M'hich, with the medicine, must be continued till the mouth becomes sore and spit- ting is produced : when matter discharges from the sore, it should also be dressed with strong ointment of quicksilver thickly spread on lint and the poidtice con- tinued over it : this treatment must be pursued for the space of one month, then the wound healed with Tirr- ners cerate spread on lint, but the mouth kept sore and slight spitting prolonged for at least two months, as hydrophobia has been known to make its appearance five and six months after the bite of the animal : sea bathing is strongly advised, but I would always recom- mend the foregoing treatment in preference, a trial of which should not be omitted, if the poison was destroyed at first by cutting, neither if the bite has happened some time, nor even when the following symptoms have taken place : the part bitten becoming tender and inflamed, uneasiness and stupidity, frightful dreams, convulsions, eyes red and watery, pain all over the body, difficulty in swallowing, great thirst, and when liquid is only brought before the patient he appears choked, accompanied with trembling and shivering over the whole body ; vomiting bile frequently occurs, attended with great thirst and fever : the last symptoms are raging and foaming at the mouth, spitting at the bystanders, and strong convul- sions, as if drawn double ; - no patient should be given over till the last moment : the mercurial friction should be tried, and the prescribed medicine given while he exists, as there is hope of recovery by perseverance in the foregoing method.

The patient should be kept on very low diet, and no spirits or wine be used."

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 95

the Hydrophobia.

The following are the progressive symptoms of hy- drophobia : when a dog becomes melancholy, droops his head, forbears eating, seems to forget his former habits, and as he runs snatches at every thing : if he often looks upwards, and that his tail at its setting on be rather erect, and the rest of it hanging down ; if his eyes be red, his breath strong, his voice hoarse, and that he drivels and foams at the mouth, you may be satisfied of the approaches of hydrophobia ; and the only thing that should be done is instantly to despatch him, how- ever great a favourite he may be. If at this period he should remain at liberty, he will certainly leave his home : he goes as fast as he can ; and the mischief that may happen, owing thus to a mad dog breaking away, and running over an extent of country, is incalculable, as he spares no living creature.

The following accurate description, from the pen of Mr. Youatt, appeared in the Sporting Magazine, Sep- tember, 1825 : -

*' The symptoms of rabies in the dog are the following, and nearly in the order in which they usually appear : - An earnest licking, or scratching or rubbing of some particular part ; sullenness, and a disposition to hide from observation ; considerable costiveness and occa- sional vomiting ; an eager search for indigestible sub- stances - as bits of thread, hair, straw, and dung ; an occasional inclination to eat its own dung, and a general propensity to lap its own urine. The two last are per- fectly characteristic circumstances. The dog becomes irritable ; quarrels with his companions ; eagerly hunts and worries the cat ; mumbles tlie hand or foot of his

96 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Symptoms of

master, or perhaps suddenly bites it, and then crouches and asks pardon. As the disease proceeds, the eyes become red ; they have a pecuhar bright and fierce ex- pression ; some degree of strabismus or squinting very early appears ; not the protrusion of the membrana nic- titans, or haw, over the eye, which, in distemper, often gives the appearance of squinting, but an actual distor- tion of the eyes ; the lid of one eye is evidently more contracted than the other : twitchings occur round that eye ; they gradually spread over that cheek, and finally over the whole face. In the latter stages of the disease that eye frequently assumes a dull green colour, and at length becomes a mass of ulceration.

*' After the second day the dog usually begins to lose a perfect control over the voluntary muscles. He catches at his food with an eager snap, as if uncertain whether he could seize it ; and he often fails in the attempt. He either bolts his meat almost unchewed, or in the attempt to chew it, suffers it to drop from his mouth. This want of power over the muscles of the jaw, tongue, and throat, increases, until the lower jaw becomes dependent, the tongue protrudes from the mouth, and is of a dark and almost black colour. The animal is able, however, by a sudden convulsive effort to close his jaws, and to inflict a severe bite.

*' The dog is in incessant action : he scrapes his bed together, disposes it under him in various forms, shifts his posture every instant - starts up, and eagerly gazes at some real or imaginary object: a peculiar kind of de- lirium comes on : he traces the fancied path of ^me imaginary object floating around him : he fixes his gaze

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 97

the Hydrophobia.

intently on some spot in the wall or partition, and sud- denly plunges and snaps at it ; his eyes then close, and his head droops ; but the next moment he starts again to renewed activity : he is in an instant recalled from this delirium by the voice of his master, and listens attentively to his commands ; but as soon as his master ceases to address him, he relapses into his former mental wandering.

"His thirst is excessive (there is no hydrophobia in the dog) and the power over the muscles concerned in deglutition being impaired, he plunges his face into the water, up to the very eyes, and assiduously, but ineffect- ually, attempts to lap.*

** His desire to do mischief depends much on his pre- vious disposition and habits. I have known it not to proceed beyond an occasional snap, and then only when purposely irritated ; but with the fighting dog the scene is often terrific. He springs to the end of his chain - he darts with ferocity at some object he conceives to be within his reach - he dihgently tears to pieces every thing about him ; the carpet or rug is sliaken with savage vio- lence ; the door or partition is gnawed asunder ; and so eager is he in this work of demolition, and so regardless of bodily pain, that he not unfrequently breaks one or all of his tushes. If he effects his escape he wanders about, sometimes merely attacking those dogs which fall

* In those instauces of hydrophobia which have fallen under my notice, 1 have never observed the dog -' plunge his face into the water up to the very eyes, and assiduously, but ineffectually, attempt to lap.'" On the contrary, the animal has always been capable of lapping : however, in the disease called Dumb Madness, I have noticed symptoms similar to the above.

98 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Symptoms of

in his way, and at other times he diligently and perse- veringly hunts out his prey : he overcomes every obstacle to effect his purpose ; and, unless he has been detected in his march of death, he returns in about four and twenty hours, completely exhausted to the habitation of his master.

" He frequently utters a short and peculiar howl, which if once heard, can rarely be forgotten ; or if he barks, it is a short, hoarse, inward sound, altogether dissimilar from his usual tone.

"In the latter stages of the disease a viscid saliva flows from his mouth, with which the surface of the water that may. be placed before him is covered in a few min- utes, and his breathing is attended with a harsh grating sovmd, as if impeded by the accumulation of phlegm in the respiratory passages.

" The loss of power over the voluntary muscles extends after the third day through his whole frame, and is par- ticularly evident in the loins : he staggers in his gait 5 there is an uncertainty in all his n.otions ; and he fre- quently falls, not only when he attempts to walk, but when he stands balancing himself as well as he can. On the fourth or fifth day of the disease he dies, sometimes in convulsions, but, more frequently, without a struggle.

" After death there will invariably be found more or less inflammation of the mucous coat of the stomach ; sometimes confined to the rugse, at other times in patches ; generally with spots of extravasated blood, and occasion- ally intense, and occupying the whole of that viscus. The stomach will likewise contain some portion of indi- gestible matter, (hair, straw, dung), and occasionally it

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 99

the Hydiophobia.

will be completely filled and distended by an incongruous mass. The lungs will usually present appearances of inflammation, more intense in one, and generally the left lung, than in the other. Some particular points and patches will be of a deep colour, while the neighbouring- portions are unaftected. The sublinqual and parotid glands will be invariably enlarged ; and there will also be a certain portion of inflammation, sometimes intense, and at other times assuming only a faint blush, on the edge of the epiglottis, or on the rima glottidis, or in the angle of the larynx at the back of it."

When the human species become unhappily the sub- jects of this calamity, though in particular instances some variation may be observed, yet the first symptoms are generally the same ; these are a torpid disquietude in the wound (or seat of injury), attended with slight in- tervening itchings, ultimately amounting to pain, and much resembling rheumatic affection. It continues to extend itself to the surrounding parts ; and, at length, from the extremities it expands its poisonous power to the viscera ; the cicatrice, if there has been a wound, begins to swell, inflammation hourly increases, till, at length, a serous bloody iclior is discharged, and this alone may be considered the primary and invariable prog- nostic of certain hydrophobia. These leading symptoms soon become progressively general, bearing with them every appearance of confirmed rheumatism ; they are fluc- tuating, quick, acute, and of the spasmodic, convulsive kind ; they suddenly attack the patient, severely affect- ing the head, neck, and principal joints ; a dull, drowsy pain often seizes the head, neck, breast, abdomen, and

100 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Symptoms of

even vibrates along the back bone. The patient is gloomy and inchned to soUtude, murmurs much, seems lost in reflection, is forgetful, inattentive, and prone to sleep ; at times agitating starts denote the mind to be disordered ; by turns he is attentively watchful ; his slumbers become disturbed, and suddenly awaking from those, convulsive appearances soon follow.

A deafness is sometimes complained of, the eyes are watery ; the aspect sorrowful ; the countenance pale, and the face contracted ; sweat breaks out about the temples ; an unusual flow of saliva, slimy and viscid, at length comes on with a dryness of the fauces, a fovilness of the tongue, and a disagreeable smell (or rather fetid effluvia) from the breath. As the symptoms already recited in- crease, the second stage advances : a fever commences, which at first is mild, but makes with gigantic strides the most rapid advances to extremity ; it is accompanied with hourly increasing horrors, and all the alarming con- comitants of mental derangement. Wakefulness becomes perpetual ; violent periodical agitations ensue ; the mind is evidently more and more disturbed ; a delirium follows, at which critical moment an invincible aversion to fluid, glass, or any polished or shining body is plainly per- ceived. A constriction of the gullet takes place, and an incredible difficulty of swallowing ensues ; liquids are offered, and are attempted to be taken, but the disgust and loathing become so predominant, that they are most violently declined : and this symptomatic dread and aversion so wonderfully increases, that, upon the very appearance of any watery fluid, the greatest horror conies on, and the most shocking muscular distortions ensue:

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 101

the Hydrophobia.

if the liquor is attempted to be forcibly pressed upon them, the experiment is rejected by an instantaneous succession of the most horrid gesticulations, and convul- sive distortions, in which every ray of reason seems to be absorbed. Upon a temporary cessation of so serious and distressing a paroxysm, the poor unhappy patient now murmurs, groans, and mourns most miserably ; loses, by degrees, all knowledge of his dearest friends and most familiar acquaintance : and their presenting them- selves before him, is the very critical moment when all of this description give proof of their desire to bite, which, in the attempt, bears no ill affinity to the similar snappings of a village cur.

Awful to relate, reason returns at intervals, and he feelingly laments his own calamity, and deplores his own incapacity. A consciousness of appi'oaching dissolu- tion is perceptible even to himself, and he seems truly resigned to the singularity of his fate. Severe pain and consequent heat producing thirst, a desire to drink is displayed, but nature shrinks from her office ; in vain the patient raises his hand to touch the vessel, it almost magically produces instant tremor - the hand recedes, and the patient sinks into the most afflicting despon- dency. Conscious, likewise, of his constantly increasing inclination to bite, he, in his rational moments, makes signals to warn his friends of the danger, and keep them- selves at a distance. Towards the conclusion of this dreadful and most melancholy scene, the fever and parching thirst increase, the tongue becomes swelled and protruded, foam issues from the mouth, strength fails, cold sweats come on, the stricture upon the breast in-

102 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Treatment of

creases, as well as the other predommant symptoms, until, in a long succession of convulsive struggles, all- powerful death closes the scene.

The cause of the hydrophobia is utterly unknown ; and its effects hitherto appear to have bafHed every remedy which has been tried for its removal. Copious and re- peated venesection was, a few years ago, announced to the world as a cure for the hydrophobia, and instances were given in order to confirm it : it is true, they came in a questionable shape on account of the distance which they had to travel, being chiefly from the East Indies : however, the method just mentioned, has been tried in this country and found unavailing.

The alis7na plantago was introduced as a remedy ; but, on repeated trial, has proved ineffectual.

Another remedy has been introduced. This new remedy comes from a distance ; but let us not reject it merely on that score. The account has appeared in several medical works, and was first published, it seems, by Dr. Mailer, of Vienna, a scientific physician, now resident at Paris. The German physician says, he re- ceived the particulars from M. Marochetti, a Russian surgeon, who informed him, that, during his residence in the Ukraine, in the year 1813, he was called on to at- tend fifteen persons who had been bit by a mad dog, when some old men requested him to treat the unfortu- nate people according to the directions of a neighbouring peasant, who had acquired a great reputation for curing the hydrophobia. M. Marochetti allowed the peasant to dXi&w^ fourteen , reserving one to himself, a female of sixteen, who was cauterized and treated in the usual way.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 103

the Hydrophobia.

and expired eight days after the attack. The peasant gave to the fourteen persons placed under his care a strong decoction of the tops of the flowers of the yellow broom (a pound and a half a day). He examined twice a day the under part of the tongue, where he had gener- ally discovered little pimples, containing, as beheved, the hydrophobic poison : these pimples really followed, and were observed by Marochetti himself. As they formed, the peasant opened them, and cauterized the parts with a red hot needle ; after which, the patients gargled with the decoction mentioned above. The result of this treat- ment was, that the fourteen patients were cured, having only drank the decoction for six weeks. Marochetti then states, that, five years afterwards, he himself had an opportuninity of giving this treatment another trial. Twenty-six persons who had been bit by a mad dog, were put under his care, viz. nine men, eleven women, and six children : he ordered the decoction of the tops of the flowers of yellow broom to be given them as soon as possible ; and upon an attentive exammation of their tongues, he discovered pimples on five men, three chil- dren, and all the women. Those who were most wounded Mere afflicted on the third day ; the others on the fifth, seventh, or ninth. One of the women who had been slightly bitten on the leg had no appearance till the twenty-first day. The seven who wei*e free from pimples took the decoction of broom for six weeks, with success. M. Marochetti thinks that the hydrophobic poison, after having remained in the wound, fixes itself under the tongue, in the orifices of the ducts of the submaxillary gland, which are situated on the sides of the fraenum.

104 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Dumb Madness.

The inflammation, of which the httle pimples are the result, has a peculiar appearance. The time in which these pimples appear, is generally between the third and ninth day after the bite. If they are not opened before twenty-four hours after their appearance, the venom is absorbed and the patient is lost.

I shall be extremely anxious to hear of the success of this mode of treatment nearer home ; for I must confess I cannot place implicit confidence in the narrative.

Upon the disease, erroneously denominated Dumb Madness, I will relate what fell under my own observa- tion, and from which a tolerable idea of the disorder may be formed : - In the month of May, 1823, a pointer whelp was presented to me by a friend, which I knew to be as well bred as any in the kingdom, and on that account, I, of course, prized him more highly. The dog was whelped on the 16th of April, of the same year ; and as soon as I received him, a kennel was appropriated for his use in the open air, well littered with wheat straw, and kept clean. He had full liberty, and a clear stream of water close at hand, to quench his thirst whenever he thought proper. The dog, as might be expected, was remarkably healthy ; and, at seven months old, had be- come an amazingly fine animal : at this period, he expe- rienced a slight attack of the distemper, which immedi- ately gave way to bleeding and a dose of tartar emetic ; and in three or four days he was restored to perfect health. His colour was a perfect jet black ; he was: larger than common, and altogether, the finest young pointer I ever saw. On the 8th of January, (of the following year,) I observed the dog keep his mouth

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 10a

Dumb Madness.

almost continually open, the inside of which appeared darker coloured than usual, and somewhat swelled. I immediately bled him copiously, which, however, pro- duced no visible alteration ; on the contrary, the next day all the symptoms had evidently increased, and I observed that he was unable to swallow, though he made many attempts both to eat and drink, particularly the latter : but the water, or the milk, which, by putting his nose into the vessel, he contrived to get into his movith, uniformly run out again, and he appeared utterly unable to pass it down his throat : he licked his fore-legs very much, and seemed to have a trifling discharge of mucus, or saliva : but all this time the dog appeared not only perfectly sensible, but even in good spirits, and evidently experienced but little pain. A sporting acquaintance, who saw him, said the disease was what was distin- guished by the appellation of dumb madness, which seems to me altogether a ridiculous term ; and supposing this tx> have been the disorder with which my dog was af- fected, I can testify that the term is very improperly applied, as the animal in question regularly barked on the approach of a stranger, though in a different tone, and with more difficulty than usual. However, I imme- diately searched authorities for dumb madness, with a view to ascertain the proper mode of treatment. In an old writer, (the author of the " Gentleman's Recreation,") I found it thus described: - "The dog that is troubled with dumb madness will not feed, bvit holds his mouth tvide open continually, putting his feet to his mouth fre- quently, as if he had a bone in his throat." Now, though my dog kept his jaws somewhat distended, his mouth

G

106 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Dumb Madness.

was not wide open, but only partially so, and that he was able to shut it I can safely attest, as I saw him many times close his jaws, though he never kept them more than a second or two in that position ; further, the animal frequently licked his fore-legs, but I never saw him raise his feet, or otherwise use indications similar to those adopted by a dog when he seems to have a bone in his throat ; and therefore the cases did not appear to agree.

I had next recourse to the " Sportsman's Dictionary, or Gentleman's Companion ;" the third edition of which was published in 1783, which contained the following observations; - "Dumb madness lies in the blood, and causes the dog not to feed, but to hold his mouth always wide open, frequently putting his feet to his mouth, as if he had a bone in his throat."

To be brief - I perused every thing within my reach, on the subject of dogs and their diseases, but without gaining the least information ; and, as the disorder, at least in the form in which it presented itself, was new to me, I began to entertain fears for the life of my dog, and the sequel will prove they were but too well founded. I have already remarked, that I first perceived the disease on the 8th of January, and the dog continued much in the same way for four successive days, during which, all his faculties appeared very little, if at all, impaired. He would follow me into the field, and even hunt, frequently attempting to drink, and, in order to accomplish that desirable object, would thrust his nose into the water, instead of attempting to lap ; but he never succeeded in forcing any of the fluid down his throat : his sense of smell was as perfect as ever; and, indeed, though he

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 107

Dumb Madness.

evidently became very lean, he might be said to be in good spirits till the morning of the 13th, when I found him very languid, his eye had lost its lustre, and death was evidently fast approaching. He was perfectly sen- sible, and whenever I approached and spoke to him, he raised his heavy eyes, and by these, as well as by the movement of his tail, appeared grateful for my attention. Towards the evening he made a last effort to swallow food, but was not able. On the following morning he was stretched on his side, and had every appearance of death, only that a breathing, at very long intervals, proved that the vital spark was not absolutely extinct. Some few hours afterwards he was perfectly lifeless ; and I was resolved, if possible, to ascertain the cause of his death. For this purpose I called in the assistance of a skilful veterinary surgeon, and the animal was partly dissected in my presence. On opening the body, it was abundantly evident that the dog had been starved to death ; or, in other words, had died for want of food. The lungs, the liver, and, indeed, all those parts of the animal organization were totally unaffected, and mani- fested not the slightest symptom of disease ; the same remark will equally apply to all parts of the throat, and also to the brain ; and the only affection that could be discovered, was in the salivary glands, which were tri- flingly swelled. On the whole, I feel a perfect con- viction, that the disorder of the dog was a glandular affection, which, by rendering him incapable of swallow- ing sustenance, caused his death.

Of the cure, should a similar case come under my observation, I feel confident ; and I have been thus

108 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Dumb Madness.

minute for the information of spoi'tsmen in general, par- ticularly as I have been informed, that the disorder which I have attempted to describe, or something very much resembling it, has carried off, within the last few years, great numbers of valuable dogs, especially in Yorkshire. Should a similar case occur with any of my dogs, I should force food, (nourishing broth, for instance), down the throat, with an instrument adapted for the purpose ; and if I found it impossible to get it down, I would inject it into the bowels, when a sufficient quantity would be taken up by the absorbents, to sustain life till the dis- ease of the glands abated. In the first place, I should feel a disposition to bleed the afflicted animal, as this would prevent any superabundant pressure of blood upon the parts affected, which I might perhaps rub well with mercurial ointment.

It is a lamentable fact, that so little attention has been paid to the diseases of this invaluable animal, though no creature which has yet been taken under human pro- tection affords so good an opportunity for observation, or is so much entitled to the assistance and kind offices of its master. The dog vhas become a domestic of the most familiar description, whose greatest delight is in administering to the pleasures of the sportsman, or those by whom his services are called into action ; his civiliza- tion may be said to proceed in the precise ratio with that of human nature, and he uniformly takes his tone from the circumstance or the situation of his master. As he has closely associated himself with man, therefore, he has brought upon himself a train of diseases, resulting from his artificial mode of life ; and from which, in a

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 109

Dumb Madness.

State of nature, there is little doubt, but he is altogether exempt. In fact, living under the same roof, and in the same manner, as his master, he seems to be afflicted something in the same way ; and, upon close examina- tion, it will be found, that many of his disorders bear a strong resemblance to those in man, and would, I have little doubt, give way to a somewhat similar treatment. Thus circumstanced, it seems unaccountable that the medical treatment of this faithful creature should have been so neglected. Generally speaking, whenever a dog is attacked with any disease, little trouble is taken in his recovery ; food is offered him, and if he is able to eat it and recovers, it is all right ; but it very frequently happens, tliat the moment he exhibits symptoms of uidis- position, he is suspected of hydrophobia, and, without any attempts to alleviate his pains, he is placed in a situa- tion of security, and either suffered to pine away, or is prematurely despatched. This may not apply altogether to sportsmen, perhaps ; though many of these, I have not the least doubt, pay but httle attention to the matter. In kennels of hounds, and other large dog establish- ments, there is a certain method followed ; or, in other words, there is a list of disorders which is supposed to be understood by the huntsman, or the game-keeper, and, in like manner, a regular list of antiquated applications or medicines is placed, as it were, opposite the disorders : now, if the medicines were positively applicable to the diseases, is it likely that the latter are so understood, that one is not frecjuently mistaken for another? Or, can it be supposed, that the persons in question are sufficiently skilled in the science of healing, so as to discern those

g3

no HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Dumb Madness.

turns or alterations by which the same disease assumes a different form, and, accordingly, requires different treat- ment? This is too much to expect. Huntsmen and gamekeepers, also, are generally much attached to their dogs, and seldom fail to show them considerable atten- tion, when they are diseased ; and though I may have met with some who possessed acute perception and sound sense, yet, in order to acquire a thorough knowledge of the subject on which I have been speaking, a superior education seems indispensable, as well as much more extensive practice than could possibly be afforded by any one dog establishment in the kingdom : if extensive practice be necessary to the physician and the surgeon, why not to the dog-doctor also ? In any science or pro- fession where success must depend very much upon the practitioner's powers of perception, some degree of edu- cation is not only indispensable, but superior abihties or considerable genius also. It is not likely, that the requi- site opportunities and qualifications will be found united in many instances ; and, under such circumstances, I would strongly advise sportsmen to pay as much atten- tion to their diseased dogs as possible ; and whatever reliance they may place upon their servants, it can do no harm to watch the progress of the disorder themselves. Many sportsmen of the old school, in their treatment of the diseases of dogs, seem to have resorted to super- stitious notions, and to have disregarded true philosophy altogether ; so much so, indeed, that it is amusing to read many of their ideas on the subject. It is possible, however, that dog-diseases might formerly have existed, which are unknown at the present day ; but a disease

HUNTING DIRECTORY. Ill

called the Yellows, that has sometimes appeared in ken- nels of hounds, I never saw described in any publication, either ancient or modern ; nor is it generally known even among sportsmen, though, wherever it has appeared, its effects have been very violent, and frequently attended with fatal consequences.

The Yellows. - This would appear to be a disease peculiar to the kennel, which makes its appearance in all ages of the hound. In the first approaches of the yellows, the animal loses his appetite, and of course appears dull. On turning up his eye-lids, a yellow appearance presents itself; the inside of his flanks exhibit a similar hue or colour. Hence it would seem that the disorder is some- thing of a bilious nature ; or, at least, it assumes a com- plexion which would seem to warrant such a conjecture. At all events, if it be not immediately checked, it will end with the death of the dog. This disease, which is not of an ancient date, made considerable havock in many kennels, till at length, the following treatment was found efficacious : - As soon as the dog is perceived to be ill, four grains of calomel should be administered to him, and he should be kept warm during their operation. Then take

Rhubarb, one ouHce aloes, half an ounce Castile soap, half an ounce (Ethiop's mineral, half an ounce

These should be mixed up with syrup of buckthorn, and made into bolusses about the size of a nutmeg : one of which should be given every morning for three suc- cessive days, when one may be administered every other

112 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Lameness in the Shoulder.

morning, for a week or longer, if necessary. For this method of treating the yellows, I am indebted to W. Head, Sir Harry Mainwaring's huntsman ; which, he informed me, he had found successful almost invariably. Lameness in the Shoulder may also be regarded as a disease of the kennel. This, as I have observed at page 30, seems to be produced by damp kennels ; and may be prevented by the administration of warmth, though it cannot always be cured when it has taken place ; yet I am inclined to think that warmth is the best remedy, as well as an absolute preventive.

CHAPTER V.

Of the Naming of Hounds. - A List of Names. - Of the Feeder. - Of Boiling and Mixing the Meat, and the proper Food for Hounds. - The Method and Time of Feeding. - Of Bleedhig and Physicking Hounds. - Of Entering Young Hounds. - Summer Hunting, SfC. - Of Flogging Hounds. - Bedford's System.

Young hounds (says Beckford) are commonly named when they are first put out to their walks, and sometimes indeed ridiculously enough ; nor is it easy, where many are bred, to find suitable and harmonious names for the

HUNTING DIRECTORY.

113

Naming of Hounds.

whole ; particularly as it is the cusitom to name all the whelps of a litter with the same initial letter as the sire or the dam. However, one exception at least exists to thus naming young hounds when put out to walks : - At Sandiway Head Inn, (kept by J. Whittle) near Dela- mere Forest, a whelp is kept for Sir Harry Mainwaring, which must uniformly receive the name of Bluecap. The house, as I have already noticed, is known by the name of Sandiway Head Inn ; it is also further distin- guished by the sign of the celebrated hound, Bluecap, whose performance at Newmarket has been stated in the earlier part of this volume, and whose memory is par- ticularly cherished here, from the circumstance of his having formed one of the Cheshire pack, then under the direction of Mr. Barry. In consequence of this parti- ality on the part of honest James Whittle, the hound kept by him has of course to undergo a second baptism on being taken into the kennel.

A list of names for hoimds seems at first view a waste of time ; yet to render the work as complete as possible, it seems necessary.

NAMES OF HOUNDS.

A. dogs.

Antic

Artist

Active

Audible

Able

Anxious

Atlas

Actress

Actor

Arbiter

Atom

Affable

B. dogs

Adamant

Archer

Auditor

Agile

Bachelor

Adjutant

Ardent

Augur

Airy

Banger

Agent

Ardor

Awful

Amity

Baffler

Aider

Arrogant

Angry

Barbarous

Aimwell

Arsenic

A. bitches.

Animate

BcllmaH

Amorous

Artful

Accurate

Artifice

Bender

114

HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Names of Hounds.

Blaster

Busy

Constant

Crazy

Doubtful

Bluecap

Buxom

Contest

Credible

Doubtless

Blueman

Coroner

Credulous

Dreadful

Bluster

C. dogs.

Cottager

Croney

Dreadless

Boaster

Caitiff

Counsellor

Cruel

Dulcet

Boisterous

Capital

Countryman

Curious

Bonnyface

Captain

Courteous

E. dogs.

Bouncer

Captor

Coxcomb

D. dogs.

Eager

Bowler

Carol

Craftsman

Damper

Earnest

Bravo

Carver

Crasher

Danger

Effort

Brawler

Caster

Critic

Dangerous

Elegant

Brazen

Catcher

Critical

Dapper

Eminent

Brilliant

Catchpole

Crowner

Dapster

Envious

Brusher

Caviller

Cruiser

Darter

Envoy

Brutal

Cerberus

Crusty

Dasher

Errant

Burster Bustler

Challenger Champion

Cryer Curfew

Dashwood Daunter

Excellent

Charon

Currier

Dexterous

E. bitches.

B. bitches.

Chaser

Disputant

Easy

Baneful

Chaunter

C. bitches.

Downright

Echo

Bashful

Chieftain

Capable

Dragon

Ecstacy

Bawble

Chimcr

Captious

Dreadnought

Endless

Beauteous

Chirper

Careless

Driver

Energy

Beauty

Choleric

Carefel

Duster

Enmity

Beldam

Claimant

Carnage

Essay

Bellmaid

Clamorous

Caution

D. bitches.

Blameless

Clangor

Cautious

Dainty

F. degs.

Blithsome

Clasher

Charmer

Daphne

Factor

Blowzy

Climbank

Chauntress

Darling

Factious

Bluebell

Clinker

Cheerful

Dashaway

Fatal

Bluemaid Bonny

Combat Combatant

Cherriper Circe

Dauntless Delicate

Fearnought Ferryman

Bonnybell

Comforter

Clarinet

Desperate

Fervent

Bonnylass Boundless

Comrade Comus

Clio Comely

Destiny Dian

Finder Firebrand

Brevity Brimstone

Conflict Conqueror

Comical Courtesy

Diligent Docile

Flagrant Flasher

Conquest

Crafty

Document

Fleecc'm

HUNTING DIRECTORY.

115

Names of Hounds.

Fleecer

Funnylass

Gladsome

Helen

Listener

FJinger

Furious

Governess

Heroine

Lounger

Flippant

Fury

Graceful

Hideous

Lucifer

Flourisher

Graceless

Honesty

Lunatic

Flyer

G.dogs.

Gracious

Hostile

Lunger

Foamer

Gainer

Grateful

I. dogs.

Lurker

Foiler

Gallant

Gravity

Jerker

Lusty

Foreman

Gal Hard

Guilesome

Jingler

Foremost

Galloper

Guilty

Impetus

L. bitches

Foresight

Gamboy

Jockey

Lacerate

Forester

Gamester

H. dogs.

Jolly

Laudable

Forward

Garrulous

Hannibal

Jolly-boy

Lavish

Fluminant

General

Harbinger

Jostler

Lavvless

Furrier

Genius

Hardiman

Jovial

Lenity

Gimcrack

Hardy

Jubal

Levity

F, bitches.

Giant

Harlequin

Judgment

Liberty

Faithful

Giancer

Harasser

Jumper

Lightning

Fairmaid

Glider

Havock

Lightsome

Fairplay

Glorious

Hazard

I. bitches.

Likely

Famous

Goblin

Headstrong

Jealousy

Lissome

Fanciful

Governor

Hearty

Industry

Litigate

Fashion

Grapler

Hector

Jollity

Lively

Favorite

Grasper

Heedful

Joyful

Lofty

Fearless

Griper

Hercules

Joyous

Lovely

Festive

Growler

Hero

Luckylass

Fickle

Grumbler

Highflyer

L. dogs.

Lunacy

Fidget

Guider

Hopeful

Laborer

Fireaway

Hotspur

Larum

M. dogs.

Firetail

G. bitches.

Humbler

Lasher

Manager

Flighty

Galley

Hurtful

Launcher

Manful

Flourish

Gambol

Leader

Marescha!

Flurry

Gamesome

H. bitches.

Leveller

Marksman

Forcible

Gayety

- Hasty

Liberal

Marplot

Fretful

Gayly

Handsome

Libertine

Martial

Friendly

Gaylass

Harlot

Lictor

Marvellous

Frisky

Ghastly

Harmony

Lifter

Matchem

Frolic

Giddy

Hazardous

Lightfoot

Maxim

Frolicsome

Gladness

Heedless

Linguist

Maximus

116

HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Kames of Hounds.

Meanwell

Modish

Perfect

Phrenzy

Rifler

Medler

Monody

Perilous

Placid

Rigid

Menacer

Music

Pertinent

Playful

Rigour

Mendall

Petulant

Pleasant

Ringwood

Mender

N. dogs.

Phoebus

Pliant

Rioter

Mentor

Nervous

Piercer

Positive

Risker

Mercury

Nestor

Pilgrim

Precious

RockvFOod

Morlin

Nettier

Pillager

Prettylass

Romper

Merry boy

Newsman

Pilot

Previous

Rouser

Merryman

Nimrod

Pincher

Priestess

Router

Messmate

Noble

Piper

Probity

Rover

Methodist

Nonsuch

Playful

Prudence

Rudesby

Mighty

Novel

Plodder

Ruffian

Militant

Noxious

Plunder

R. dogs.

Ruffler

Minikin

Politic

Racer

Ruler

Miscreant

N. bitches.

Potent

Rager

Rummager

Mittimus

Narrative

Prater

Rallywood

Rumbler

Monarch

Neatness

Prattler

Rambler

Rumour

Monitor

Needful

Premier

Ramper

Runner

Motley

Negative

President

Rampant

Rural

Mounter

Nicety

Presto

Rancour

Rusher

Mover

Nimble

Prevalent

Random

Rustic

Mungo

Noisy

Primate

Ranger

Musical

Notable

Principal

Ransack

R. bitches.

Mutinous

Notice

Prodigal

Rantaway

Racket

Mutterer

Notion

Prowler

Ranter

Rally

Myrmidon

Novelty

Prompter

Rapper

Ranlipole

Novice

Prophet

Rattler

Rapid

M. bitches.

Prosper

Ravager

Rapine

Madcap

P. dogs.

Prosperous

Ravenous

Rapture

Magic

Pagan

Pryer

Reacher

Rarity

Matchless

Pageant

Reasoner

Rashness

Melody

Paragon

P. bitches.

Rector

Rattle

Merrylass

Paramount

Passion

Regent

Reptile

Mindful

Partner

Pastime

Render

Resolute

Minion

Partyman

Patience

Resonant

Restless

Miriam

Pealer

Phoenix

Restive

Rhapsody

Mischief

Penetrant

Phrenetic

Reveler

Riddance

HUNTING DIRECTORY.

117

Names of Hounds.

Riot

Spanker

Songstress

Torrent

Thoughtful

Rival

Special

Specious

Torturer

Tidings

Roguish

Specimen

Speedy

Tosser

Toilsome

Ruin

Spinner

Spiteful

Touchstone

Tractable

Rummage

Splendor

Spitfire

Tracer

Tragedy

Ruthless

Splenetic

Sportful

Tragic

Trespass

Spoiler

Sportive

Trampler

Trifle

S. dogs.

Spokesman

Sportly

Transit

Trivial

Salient

Sportsman

Sprightly

Transport

Trollop

Sampler

Squabbler

Stately

Traveller

Troublesome

Sampion

Squeaker

Stoutness

Trimbush

Truelass

Sanction

Statesman

Strenuous

Trimmer

Truemaid

Sapient

Steady

Strumpet

Triumph

Tunable

Saucebox

Stickler

Surety

Trojan

Tuneful

Saunter

Stringer

Sybil

Trouncer

Scalper

Stormer

Symphony

Truant

V, do^s.

Scamper

Stranger

Trueboy

Vagabond

Schemer

Stripling

T. dogs.

Trueman

Vagrant

Scourer

Striver

Tackier

Trudger

Valiant

Scramble

Strivewell

Talisman

Trusty

Valid

Screamer

Stroker

Tamer

Tryal

Valorous

Screecher

Stroller

Tangent

Tryer

Valour

Scuffler

Struggler

Tartar

Tryweil

Vaulter

Searcher

Sturdy

Tatler

Tuner

Vaunter

Settler

Subtile

Taunter

Turbulent

Venture

Sharper

Succour

Teaser

Twanger

Venturer

Shifter

Suppler

Terror

Twig' em

Venturous

Signal

Surly

Thrasher

Tryant

Vermin

Singer

Swaggerer

Threatner

Vexer

Singwell

Sylvan

Thumper

Tattle

Victor

Skirmish

Thunderer

Telltale

Vigilant

Smoker

S. bitches.

Thwaekcr

Tempest

Vigorous

Social

Sanguine

Thwarter

Tentative

Vigour

Solomon

Sappho

Tickler

Termagant

Villager

Solon

Science

Tomboy

Terminate

Viper

' ongster

Scrupulous

Topmost

Terrible

Volant

Sonorous

Shrewdness

Topper

Testy

Voucher

Sounduell

Skilful

Torment

Thankful

118

HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Of the Feeder

V. bitches.

Vigilance

Warning

Workman

Watchful

Vanquish

Violent

Warrior

Worthy

Wasteful

Vehemence

Viperous

Warhoop

Wrangler

Welcome

Vehement

Virulent

Wayward

Wrestler

Welldone

Vengeance

Vitiate

Wellbred

Whimsey

Vengeful

Vivid

Whipster

W. bitches.

Whirligig

Venomous

Vixen

Whynot

Waggery

Wildfire

Venturesome

Vocal

Wildair

Waggish

Willing

Venus

Volatile

Wildman

Wagtail

Wishful

Verify

Voluble

Wilful

Wanton

Wonderful

Verity

Wisdom

Warfare

Worry

Vicious

W. dogs.

Woodman

Warlike

Wrathful

Victory

Wanderer

Worker

Waspish

Wreakful

Victrix

Warbler

Beckford says, and says truly, that a good feeder is an essential part of the kennel establishment ; and he further observes, " let him be young and active ; and have the reputation, at least, of not disliking work : he should be good tempered, for the sake of the animals entrusted to his care ; and who, however they may be treated by him, cannot complain." These are highly commendable qualifications for the office of feeder ; but we do not find them always exactly attended to ; for instance, we do not find feeders always "young;" on the contrary, the task occasionally, perhaps frequently, de- volves upon men somewhat advanced in life, and who are thus enabled to earn a livelihood, when it would be difficult to obtain it in any other way. However, whether the feeder be young or old, he should cheerfully and punctually attend to the directions of the huntsman ; and if the latter understands his business, the age of the feeder will be, in all probability, of little consequence, so

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 119

and Feeding.

long as he is able to perform the requisite labour. Feed- ing the hounds is an indispensable part of the business of the kennel ; and if this be regarded as the primary object, cleanhness must be considered as the next in im- portance.

" O'er all let cleanliness preside, no scraps Bestrew the pavement, and no half pick'd bones To kindle fierce debate, or to disgust That nicer sense, on which the sportsman's hope. And all his future triumphs, must depend. Soon as the growling pack, with eager joy, Have lapp'd their smoking viands, morn and eve. From the full cistern lead the ductile streams. To wash thy court well pav'd, nor spare thy pains, For much to health will cleanliness avail. Seek'st thou for hounds to climb the rocky steep, And brush th'entangled covert, whose nice scent O'er greasy fallows, and frequented roads. Can pick the dubious way, banish far off Each noisome stench, let no offensive smell Invade thy wide enclosure, but admit The nitrous air, and purifying breeze."

SOMERVILE.

Boiling for the hounds, mixing the meat, and getting it ready for them at proper hours, is the business of the feeder, of course under the superintendance of the huntsman ; and care should be taken not to let the hounds have their meat too hot ; the thicker it is mixed, perhaps, the better.

Oat-meal is generally used, and certainly makes the best meat for hounds ; and oat-meal is best for the pur- pose when it is two years old; barley has been tried, but it does not mix up so well ; the proof, or essential

120 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Feeding.

principle of it, is also much inferior ; even when mixed* with oat-meal it is not advisable food ; and it is, on the whole, more expensive than oat-meal, tho' the first cost may appear not so great. However, I have reason to believe that the quality of the oat-meal is not always sufficiently regarded ; and even the best of oat-meal is very much improved by keeping for two years, as I have already observed. I have known instances, where what is called Bread Dust has been substituted for oat-meal ; but it has not been found equal to the latter : - by Bread Dust is meant the refuse of ship bread or biscuit, which may be purchased in the large sea-port towns in almost any quantity. Where horse flesh happens to be scarce, cow heels, bellies, and sheep's trotters will make an ex- cellent substitute.

In many kennels, they do not boil for the hounds in summer, I believe ; but give them meal only : - I sliould certainly prefer boiling : though the meat at this period might be mixed up thinner, and be thus more conducive to the health of the hounds. Indeed, in the hunting season, when many of the hounds, after long rest, become too fat, feeding them on thinner meat than the rest is more advisable than stinting them in the quantity of it.

* On this subject, Beckford observes - " I have enquired of my feeder, who is a very good one, how he mixes up his meat. He tells me that, in his opinion, oat-meal and barley mixt, an equal quantity of each, make the best meat for hounds. The oat-meal he boils for half an hour, and then puts out the fire, puts the barley into the copper, and mixes both well together. I asked him why he boiled one and not the other ? - he told me, boiling, which made the oat-meal thick, made barley thin ; and that when you feed with barley only, it should not be put into the copper, but be scalded with the liquor and mixed up in a bucket."

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 121

The Duty of a Huntsmm.

It is the duty of the huntsman always to attend the feed- ing of the hounds ; which shoukl be drafted according to their condition ; that is, making due allowance for other collateral circumstances - some hounds, like some horses, will feed better than others - some will look better than others - and some will be able to endure more fatigue than others : these are matters with which a huntsman, if he possess discernment, will soon become acquainted, and will of course act accordingly: - this, however, is what distinguishes a good kennel huntsman. Beckford says, such as are low in flesh had better be drafted off into a separate kennel ; by this means the hounds that require ^e*/i will have an equal share of it. If any are much poorer than the rest, they should be fed again - such hounds cannot be fed too often. He continues, '' I have been told that in one kennel* in particular, the hounds are under such excellent management, that they are constantly fed with the door of the feeding yard open ; and the rough nature of the fox-hound is changed into so much politeness, that he waits at the door till he is in- vited in ; and what perhaps is not less extraordmary, he comes out again, whether he has satisfied his hunger or not, the moment he is desired - the effect of severe di;-- cipline. But since this is not absolutely necessary, and hounds may be good without it ; and since I well know your other amusements (he is writing to a friend) will not permit you to attend to all this manoeuvring, I would by no means wish you to give such power to your hunts-

- Alluding no doubt to the Quorndon, when undor the direction of the late Hugo Meynell, Esq.

H

122 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

man. The business would be injudiciously done, and most probably would not answer your expectations. The hound would be tormented mal-a-propos ; - an animal so little deserving of it from our hands, that I should be sorry to disturb his hours of repose by unnecessary seve- rity. You will perceive it is a nice affair ; and I assure you I know no huntsman who is equal to it. The gen- tleman, who has carried this matter to its utmost perfec- tion, has attended to it regularly himself; has constantly acted on fixed principles ; from which he has never deviated, and I believe has succeeded to the very utmost of his wishes."

In Beckford's time, the method above described was in its infancy, and he speaks inconsiderately upon it ; he derides a practise of the most essential utihty, (par- ticularly in making hounds well acquainted with their names) which in fact may be said to constitute the per- fection of kennel discipline ; and which, in the field, has the most beneficial influence, inasmuch as it renders the hounds more obedient. The advantages of such a system are evident at the first glance, and the practise has become general throughout the kingdom : - hence the drafting off lean hounds into a separate kennel may be easily avoided, as well as several other rather antiquated methods which the above able writer has taken the trouble to describe.

" My hounds are generally fed (says Beckford) about eleven o'clock ; and if I am present myself, I take the same opportunity to make my draft for the next day's hunting. I seldom, when I can help it, leave this to my huntsman ; though it is necessary he should be present when the draft is made, that he may know what hounds

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 123

Discipline.

he has out. If your hounds are low in flesh, and have far to go to cover, they may all have a little thin lap again in the evening ; but this should never be done if you hunt early. Hounds, I think, should be sharp-set before hunting ; they run the better for it.

*' I have heard that it is the custom in some kennels to shut up the hounds for a couple of hours after they come in from hunting, before they are fed ; and that other hounds are shut up with them to lick them clean." This is certainly "a custom more honoured in the breach than the observance." It savours strongly of the old school ; and has long been, I have reason to believe, utterly abandoned. Surely, when hounds have under- gone the fatigues of a day's hunting, having commenced their operations too, fasting, nothing can be more reason- able, or more consistent with the laws of nature, than that they should fill their bellies immediately on their return ; when they will not fail to retire comfortably to rest. In the month of November or December, 1825, 1 visited the York and Ainsty fox-hounds. When in the kennel, and talking with the huntsman (William Naylor) he observed, that, on his return from hunting, he gene- rally disturbed his hounds, half an hour perhaps after having fed them, and walked them out, before he allowed them to retire to rest for the night :^his motive for this practise was in order to prevent lameness in the shoulder (a disorder which has already been noticed) ; which he thought arose from the hounds being suffered to repose immediately after hard labour, from which stiffness en- sued, and ulthnately lameness in the shoulder. There may be something original in the idea ; but it is a mis-

11 2

124 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Physicking

taken notion : lameness in the shoulder unquestionably arises from damp kennels. Some of his hounds, when his kennel was newly erected, had been thus afflicted ; and although it must have proceeded from the cause already mentioned, yet I am not prepared to deny that Naylor's method of walking out the hounds would not render the effect of damp kennels less violent, and con- sequently less injurious.

When hounds come in from hunting, they should be carefully looked over, or examined ; and those that have sustained any injury should be immediately attended to. Beckford says, that " if you will permit those hounds that are unable to work to run about your house, it will be of great service to them. Of this there can be no doubt, as hounds which are suffered to go at large, are not nearly so liable to disease, as those kept in kennels - it may in fact be justly observed, that liberty is highly conducive to health. But it is not always convenient for hounds to run about a house.

" Every Thursday during the hunting season (says Beckford) my hounds have one pound of sulphur given them in their meat ; and every Sunday throughout the year they have plenty of greens boiled up with it." I am seldom inclined to give physick to dogs in good health ; yet, although I may entertain no very exalted notion of Beckford's weekly administration of sulphur, I am per*- fectly convinced that greens may be occasionally (per- haps frequently) given to hounds with the most bene- ficial effect.

The same writer further observes - " I am not fond of bleeding hounds, unless I see they want it." Yet, I am

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 125

inclined to think that hounds will derive benefit from bleeding much oftener than Beckford seems to suppose. A dog is relieved by bleeding in many of the diseases to which he is liable, and in none more than the distemper. In the first place, it should be considered that the dog's skin is not porous, that he never perspires ; and that consequently oppressed nature is not relieved in him by that general and copious evacuation, which is frequently found so salutary in man, as well as in many animals : in many of the casual illnesses of the dog (to say nothing of his well known diseases) there seems to be a determi- nation of blood towards the head ; or, at least, the animal will appear dull and heavy about the eyes - in all cases of this description, bleeding invariably relieves him.

" It has long been the custom in my kennel (continues the same writer) to physick the hounds twice a year - after they leave off hunting and before they begin. It is given in hot weather, and at an idle time. It cools their bodies, and without doubt is of service to them. If a hound is in want of physick, I prefer giving it in balls." I have already observed, that when a hound is in good health, I should be seldom disposed to physick him ; and I cannot help thinking that periodical physicking is quite unnecessary. If a hovmd be perfectly well, what more can be required ; and under such circumstances, gene- rally speaking, to administer physick seems utterly un- called for, if not altogether ridiculous. I differ from Beckford also in his mode of administering medicine to hounds : I prefer mixing it in their meat, to giving it " in balls." His physick, he observes, was composed of '* two pounds of sulphur, one pound of antimony, and a

h3

126 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Management of

pint and a half of syrup of buckthorn, for about forty couple of hounds." I am induced to suppose syrup of buckthorn alone will answer the purpose as well, if not better, given in the proportion of a large table spoonful for each hound. I have always thought, and still continue to think, that the mode and manner of physicking hounds partakes too much of parade and mystery, and that these animals are sometimes (perhaps often) physicked, when there is not the slightest occasion for such a process. Of exercise, during summer, I would give them as much as possible.

" A regular course of whey and vegetables during the hot months must certainly be wholesome (says Beckford, in which I perfectly agree.) Every Monday and Thurs- day my hounds go for whey till the hunting season begins ; are kept out several hovu-s, and are often made to swim through rivers during the hot weather."

In writing to his friend, the same author observes, " You little think, perhaps, how difficult it is to be a good kennel huntsman, nor can you as yet know the nicety that is required in feeding hounds properly. You are not aware that some hounds will hunt best when fed late ; others, when fed early : - that some should have but little ; that others cannot have too much. I shall only advise you, while you endeavour to keep your hounds in good order, not to let them get too fat."

As soon as young hounds are reconciled to the kennel, they should be put into couples and walked out with their attendants on foot - if amongst sheep, so much the better ; and indeed amongst deer also. If any of them happen to be very stubborn and troublesome, it will be

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 127

Young Hounds.

advisable to couple them to old hounds rather than to young ones. If the young hounds are particularly awk- ward, they should be sent out by a few at a time. They will thus soon become tractable and handy enough to follow a horse.

When they have often been walked out in the manner just described, and have become obedient, a few should be uncoupled at a tune, and such as oft'er to run sheep or any kind of riot, should be chastised. The less, however, the whip is used the better ; and if they stop at the word, the whip should not be applied. If they have tasted mutton, it will be much more difficult to reclaun them - indeed they are to be viewed with sus- picion ever after : not that there is much danger to be .apprehended when hounds have been taken into the ken- nel, and have undergone a regular course of disciplme, as they are afterwards under proper care, and have few opportunities of committing depredations, however well they may be inclined for it. But accidents sometimes occur. " My hounds (says Beckford) were near being spoiled by the accident of a horse's falling. The whip- per-in was thrown from his horse. The horse ran away, and the whole pack followed him. A flock of sheep, which were at a little distance, took fright, began to run, and the hounds pursued them. The most vicious set on the rest, and several sheep were soon pulled down and killed. " I have sometimes observed even old hounds to cast a sort of a longing eye when passing a small lamb. Wlien hounds are taken out for air or exercise, it is perhaps advisable to couple the young ones, as they are prone to mischief. To air and exercise young hounds

128 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Of Entering

in the covintry they are meant to begin to hunt, is an ad- vantage: they acquire a knowledge of it; and if they happen to be left behind, they will thus be enabled to find their way home more easily.

" Summer hunting, though useful to young hounds, is prejudicial to old ones : I think therefore (observes the writer whom I have had frequent occasion to quote) you will do well to reserve some of the best of your draft hounds to enter your young ones with, selecting such as are most likely to set them a good example. I need not tell you they should not be skirters ; but, on the contrary, should be fair hunting hounds, such as love a scent, and that hunt closest on the line of it : - it will be necessary that some of them should be good finders, and all must be steady. Thus you procure for your young hounds the best instructions, and at the same time prevent two evils, which would necessarily ensue, were they taught by the whole pack ; one, that of corrupting and getting into scrapes, such as are not much wiser than themselves; and the other, that of occasioning much flogging and rating, which always shies and interrupts the hunting of an old hound. An old hound is a sagacious animal, and is not fond of trusting himself in the way of an enraged whipper-in, who, as experience has taught him, can flog, and can flog unjustly. By attending to this advice, you will improve one part of your pack, without any injury to the other ; whilst such as never separate their young hounds from the old, are not likely to have any of them steady."

The time of entering young hounds must depend upon circumstances. The sooner they are entered the better

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 129

Young Hounds.

certainly ; but, in corn countries this business cannot be conveniently commenced till the corn is cut; grass countries are better adapted for the purpose (and indeed for hunting altogether) ; and in woodlands cub hunting may begin almost at any period.

I am no advocate for stooping young hounds to any scent but the one which they are intended to hunt ; perfectly convinced that they will thus, not only give less trouble, but are more to be depended on afterwards.

" If, owing to scarcity of foxes, you should stoop your hounds at hare, let them not have the blood of her at least ; nor, for the sake of consistency, give them much encouragement. Hare hunting has one advantage - hounds are chiefly in open ground, where you can easily command them ; but, notwithstanding that, if foxes arc in tolerable plenty, keep them to their own game."

Trail scents are objectionable; as well as the method piu'sued by sportsmen of the old school, such as di'ag- ging a cat along the ground for a mile or two, turning out a badger, &c. If a few foxes can be aftbrded for the purpose, they are highly preferable to any thing else. Young hounds should be first taken where there is least riot, putting some of the steadiest old hounds amongst them. If, in such a place, there fortunately happens to be a litter of foxes, there will be but little trouble with young hounds afterwards. Cub hunting should be com- menced as early as possible in the morning ; as soon, in fact, as objects can be clearly distinguished.

Frequent hallooing is of use to young hounds ; it keeps them forward, prevents their being lost, and hinders them from hunting after the rest. The oftener therefore

130 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Ot Chastising

a fox is seen and hallooed the better ; it serves to let them in, makes them eager, induces them to exert them- selves, as well as to become handy. The case, however, is very different with old hounds, to whom much halloo- ing is highly prejudicial - a fault, by the bye, into which ignorant huntsmen generally fall. At the same tune it may be justly observed that there is a time when hallooing is of use ; a time when it is injurious ; and a time when it is indifferent : practice and attention can alone teach the correct application.

Young hounds, at their first entering, require encour- agement. As soon as they have become handy, love a scent, and begin to know what is right, it will be soon enough to chastise them for doing ivrong : in which case, let it be recollected, one severe flogging will save much trouble afterwards. Whenever a hound is undergoing castigation, the voice should accompany the stroke ; and the whipper-in (whose duty it is to flog) should recollect that the sound or smack of the whip will frequently an- swer the purpose better than the lash, to a hound that has already felt it. If any are very unsteady, it may be advisable to take them out by themselves : a hare may be found sitting, and be put off before them ; and thus the most riotous may be reduced to obedience. Young hounds should be frequently taken out amongst deer, (as I have already observed) and they will sooner learn to disregard them. When a cur dog is met with on the road or other place, it may not be amiss for the hunts- maxi to gallop after it, as it were, should not the hounds attempt to run it Avithout that manoeuvre, and they will, by these means, be thoroughly taught what to pursue,

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 131

and what to disregard altogether. Turning a cub out before them, with some old steady hounds to lead them, is an excellent method of rendering them steady to their own game.

As soon as young hounds are become handy, stoop to the scent, know a rate, and stop easily, they may be put into the pack, a few at a time. The horn may be re- garded as an indispensable appendage to a pack of fox- hounds ; or at least, if not indispensable, it is very useful.

" Flogging hounds in kennel, the frequent px'actice of most huntsmen, I hold in abhorrence ; it is unreasonable, unjust, and cruel ; and, carried to the excess we some- times see it, is a disgrace to humanity. Hounds that are old offenders, that are very riotous, and at the same time very cunning, may be difficvdt to catch - such hounds may be excepted: - they deserve punishment whenever it happens, and you should not fail to give it them when you can. This, you will allow, is a particular case, and necessity may excuse it ; but let not the peace and quiet of your kennel be often thus disturbed. When hounds offend, punish them : when caught in the fact, then let them suffer ; and, if you are severe, at least be just." Whatever might have been the practice of hunts- men in the days of the writer (Beckford) from which 1 have quoted the above, I have reason to believe that flogging hounds in the kennel for faults committed in the field has been long since abandoned, except perhaps where the whipper-in was not able to reach or secure the culprit ; but, even in this case, the offending hound should be pursued immediately, and the chastisement in- flicted while the animal is conscious of the crime ; since.

1S2 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Of Chastising Hounds.

if he be allowed to continue out, and the punishment delayed till the regular period of returning home, he becomes ignorant for what it is inflicted ; and the correc- tion, which, under other circumstances would have been necessary and wholesome, is thus converted into cruelty, and the purpose intended to be answered by its applica- tion rendered completely abortive. When, however, hounds are unruly or disobedient in the kennel, they should of course be punished there ; and, in all cases, the more quickly the chastisement follows the commission of the crime, the better. But, in no case would I apply the lash, where the smack of the whip, accompanied by angry words, would answer the purpose. At the same time, I am well aware, that flogging, and severe flogging too, is frequently indispensable to the requisite discipline and well-being of a pack of fox-hounds ; and the higher these animals are bred, the more will they require the application of the lash : this arises from the inferiority of their olfactory organs, which disqualifies them from per- ceiving the difference of scents with that discriminating nicety which distinguishes the deep-flewed hound, and they in consequence become more unsteady.

The management of hounds should be considered as a regular system of education ; and "if you expect sa- gacity in your hoimd when he is old, you must be mind- ful what instruction he receives from you in his youth ; for, as he is of all animals, the most docile, he is also most liable to bad habits. A diversity of character, con- stitution, and disposition is to be observed amongst them ; which, to be made the most of, must be carefully attended to, and treated differentlv,"

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 133

Time of Entering Young Hounds.

Beckford having detailed his own system consecutively, I here insert it, stating in notes where I happen to differ from him in opinion.

" I begin to hunt my young hounds in August. The employment of my huntsman the preceding months, is to keep his old hounds healthy and quiet, by giving them proper exercise, and to get his young hounds forward. They are called over often in the kennel ; it uses them to their names,* to the huntsman, and to the whipper-in. They are walked out often among sheep, hares, and deer ; it uses them to a rate. Sometimes he turns down a catf before them, which they hunt up to and kill ; and, when the time of hunting approaches, he turns out badgersf or young foxes, taking out some of the steadiest of his old hounds to lead them on - this teaches them to hunt. He draws small covers and furze brakes with them, to use them to a halloo, and to teach them obedience. If they find improper game, and hunt it, they are stopped and brought back ; and as long as they will stop at a rate, they are not chastised. Obedience is all that is required of them, till they have been sufficiently taught the game they are to hunt. An obstinate deviation from it afterwards is never pardoned.

* This is an excellent plan ; upon which modern sportsmen have, liow- tver, greatly improved ; since it has been carried to such perfection, that the dogs separate from the bitches at a word, and vice versa. In some es- tablishments, a pack is formed entirely of bitches; by which means no' only these, but the other packs, become more sizeable, and have a more pleasing appearance. Mr. OsbalJeston's bitch pack in 1825-6 presented the most beautiful appearance I ever beheld.

f I have already expressed my disapproval of the above practises.

134 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Of the Hunting of

" When my young hounds are taken out to air, my huntsman takes them into the country in which they are to begin to hunt. It is attended with this advantage : they acquire a knowledge of the country, and when left behind at any time, cannot fail to find their way home more easily.

"When they begin to hunt, they are first taken into a large cover of my own, which has many ridings cut in it ; and where young foxes are turned out every year for them. Here it is they are taught the scent they are to hunt, are encouraged to pursue it, and are stopped from every other. Here they are blooded to fox. I must also tell you, that as foxes are plentiful in this cover, the principal earth is not stopped, and the foxes are checked back, or some of them let in, as may best suit the purpose of blooding. After they have been hunted a few days in this manner, they are then sent to distant covers, and more old hounds are added to them ; there they continue hunting till they are taken into the pack, which is seldom later than the beginning of September ; for by that time they will have learned what is required of them, and they seldom give much trouble afterwards. In Sep- tember, I begin to hunt in earnest, and after the old hounds have killed a few foxes, the young hounds are put into the pack, two or three couple at a time, till all have hunted. They are then divided ; and as I seldom have occasion to take in more than nine or ten couple, one half are taken out one day, the other half the next, till all are steady.

" Two other methods of entering young hounds I have practised occasionally, as the number of hounds has

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 135

Young Hounds.

required ; for instance, when that number is very con- siderable, I make a large draft of my steadiest hounds, Avhich are kept with the young hounds in a separate kennel, and are hunted with them all the fore part of the season. This, when the old hounds begin to hunt, makes two distinct packs, and is always attended with great trouble and inconvenience. Nothing hurts a pack so much as to enter many young hounds, since it must weaken it considerably by robbing it of those which are the most steady ; and yet young hounds can do nothing without their assistance. Such, therefore, as constantly enter their young hounds in this manner, will, sometimes at least, have two indifterent packs, instead of one good one.

*' In the other method, the young hounds are well awed from sheep, but never stooped to a scent, till they are taken out with the pack ; they are then taken out a few only at a time ; and if your pack is perfectly steady, and well manned, may not give you much trouble. The method I first mentioned, which is the one I most com- monly practise, will be necessary when you have many young hounds to enter ; when you have only a few, the last will be most convenient. The other, which requires two distinct packs, is on too extensive a plan to suit your establishment, requiring more horses and hounds than you intend to keep.

"Though I have mentioned, in a former letter, from eight to twelve couple of young hounds, as a sufficient number to keep up your pack to its present establish- ment, yet it is always best to keep a few couple more than you want, in reserve, in case of accidents : since,

136 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Of Blooding Young Hounds.

from the time you make your draft, to the time of hunt- ing, is a long period ; and their existence at that age and season very precarious : besides, when they are safe from the distemper, they are not always safe from each other; and a summer, I think, seldom passes without some losses of that kind. At the same time I must tell you, that I should decline the entering of more than are necessary to keep up the pack, since a greater number would only create useless trouble and vexation.

" You wish to know what number of old hounds you should hunt with the young ones : - that must depend on the strength of your pack, and the number which you choose to spare ; if good and steady, ten or twelve couple will be sufficient.

" The young hounds, and such old ones as are in- tended to hunt along with them, should be kept in a kennel by themselves, till the young hounds are hunted with the pack. I need not, I am sure, enumerate the many reasons that make this regulation necessary.

* I never trust my young hounds in the forest till they have been well blooded to fox, and seldom put more than a couple into the pack at a time. The others are walked out amongst the deer, when the men exercise their horses, and are severely chastised if they take any notice of them. They also draw covers with them ; choosing out such, where they can best see their hounds, and most easily command them, and where there is the least chance to find a fox. On these occasions I had rather they should have to rate their hounds than to encourage them. It requires less judgment ; and, if improperly done, is less dangerous in its consequences. One halloo

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 137

Entering Young Fox-hounds.

of encouragement to a wrong scent, more than undoes all that you have been doing.

" When young hounds begin to love a scent, it may be of use to turn out a badger* before them ; you will then be able to discover what improvement they have made ; I mention a badger, on a supposition that young foxes cannot so well be spared ; besides, the badger, being a slower animal, he may easily be followed, and driven the way you choose he should run.

*' The day you intend to turn out a fox, or badger, you will do well to send them amongst hares or deer. A little rating and flogging, before they are encouraged to vermin, is of the greatest use, as it teaches them both what they should, and what they should not, do ; I have known a badger run several miles, if judiciously managed ; for which purpose he should be turned out in a very open country, and followed by a person who has more sense than to ride on the line of him. If he does not meet with any cover or hedge in his way, he will keep on for several miles ; if he does, you will not be able to get him any farther. - You should give him a great deal of law, and you will do well to break his teeth.

" If you run any cubs to ground in an indifferent country, and do not want blood, bring them home, and they will be of use to your young hounds. Turn out bag foxes to your young hounds, but never to your old ones.

"The day after your hounds have had blood, is also a proper tune to send them where there is riot, and to

* See note, page 133. I

138 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Various Methods of

chastise them if they deserve it : it is always best to cor- rect them when they cannot help knowing what they are corrected for. When you send out your hounds for this purpose, the later they go out, I think, the better ; as the worse the scent is, the less incUnable will they be to run it, and of course will give less trouble in stopping them. It is a common practice with huntsmen to flog their hounds most unmercifully in the kennel : I have al- ready told you I like it not ; but if many of your hounds are obstinately riotous, you may with less impropriety put a live hare into the kennel to them, flogging them as often as they approach her ; they will then have some notion at least, for what they are beaten : but, let me entreat you, before this chaviari begins, to draft off your steady hounds : an animal to whom we owe so much good diversion, should not be ill used unnecessarily. - When a hare is put into the kennel, the huntsman and both the whippers-in should be present, and the whip- pers-in should flog every hound, calling him by his name, and rating him as often as he is near the hare, and upon this occasion they cannot cut them too hard, or rate them too much ; when they think they have chastised them enough, the hare should be taken away, the huntsman should halloo off his hounds, and the whippers-in should rate them to him. - If any one loves a hare more than the rest, you may tie a dead one round his neck, flogging him and rating him at the same time.

" I would advise you to hunt your large covers with your young hounds ; it will tire them out ; a necessary step towards making them steady; and will open the cover against the time you begin to hunt in earnest, and by disturbing the large covers early in the year, foxes

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 139

Entering Young Fox-hounds.

will be shy of them in the season, and shew you better chases : besides, as they are not likely to break from thence, you can do no hurt to the corn, and may begin before it is cut.

" If your hounds are very riotous, and you are obliged to stop them very often from hare, it will be advisable, I think, to try on (however late it may be) till you find a fox, as the giving them encouragement should, at such a time, prevail over every other consideration.

" Such as are very riotous should have little rest ; you should hunt them one day in large covers, where foxes are in plenty ; the next day they should be walked out amongst hares and deer, and stopped from riot ; the day following be hunted again as before. Old hounds, that I have had from other packs (particularly such as have been entered at hare) I have sometimes found incorrigible ; but I never yet knew a young hound so riotous, but, by this management, he soon became steady.

"When hounds are rated and do not answer the rate, they should be coupled up immediately, and be made to know the whipper-in : in all probability this method will save any farther trouble. These fellows sometimes flog hounds most unmercifully, and some of them seem to take pleasure in their cruelty.

"I have heard, that no fox-hounds will break off to deer, after once a fox is found. - I cannot say the experience I have liad of this diversion will any ways justify the re- mark ; let me advise you therefore to seek a surer de- pendance. Before you hunt your young hounds where hares are in plenty, let them be awed, and stopped from hare : before you hunt amongst deer, let them not only

i2

HO HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Importance of First Impressions.

see deer, but let them draw covers where deer are : for you must not be surprised, if, after they are so far steady, as not to run them in view, they should challenge on the scent of them. Unless you take this method with your young hounds, before you put them into the pack, you will run a great risk of corrupting such as are steady, and will lose the pleasure of hunting with steady hounds. I have already said, that after my young hounds are taken into the pack, I still take out but very few at a time, when I hunt among deer. I also change them when I take out others ; for the steadiness they may have ac- quired could be but little depended on, were they to meet with any encouragement to be riotous.

" I confess I think first impressions of more conse- quence than they are in general thought to be : I not only enter my young hounds to vermin on that account, but I even use them, as early as I can, to the strongest covers and thickest brakes, and I seldom find they are ever shy of them afterwards. A friend of mine has as- sured me, that he once entered a spaniel to snipes, and the dog ever after was partial to them, preferring them to every other bird.

^'Ifyouhavemarterns* within your reach, as all hounds

* Beckford seems, in some degree, to contradict himself; in the pre- ceding paragraph, the instance of the spaniel and snipes seems at variance with the advice which immediately follows for entering young hounds at the martern. In his sixth letter he also observes ; - "You had better enter them at their own game - it will save you much trouble afterwards. Many (logs, I believe, like that scent best they were first blooded to; but be that as it may, it is certainly most reasonable to use them to that which it is in- tended they should hunt.'' - He also severely reprobates the practice of en- tering young hounds at hare, as will be seen by the following pages.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 141

Summer Hunting.

are fond of their scent, you will do well to enter your young hounds in covers which they frequent. The mar- tern being a small animal, by running the thickest brakes it can find, teaches hounds to run cover, and is therefore of the greatest use. - I do not much approve of hunting them with the old hounds ; they shew but little sport, are continually climbing trees ; and as the cover they run seldom fails to scratch and teai- hounds considerably, I think you might be sorry to see your whole pack dis- figured by it. The agility of this little animal is really wonderful ; and though it falls frequently from a tree, in the midst of a whole pack of hounds, all intent on catch- ing it, there are but few instances, I believe, of a mar- tern's being caught by them in that situation.

**In summer, hounds might hunt in an evening ; - I know a pack, that, after having killed one fox in the morning with the young hounds, killed another in the evening with the old ones. Scent generally lies well at the close of the day, yet there is a great objection to luniting at that time ; animals are then more easily dis- turbed, and you have a greater variety of scents than at an earlier hour.

"Having given you all the information I can possibly recollect with regard to my own management of young- hounds, I shall now take notice of that part of your last letter, where I am soi'ry to find that our opinions diftbr. Obedience, you say, is every thing necessary in a hound, and that it is of little consequence by what means it is obtained. I cannot concur altogether in that opinion ; for I think it very necessary, that the hound should at the same time understand you. Obedience, under i)roper

1 3

H2 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Obedience indispensable

management, will be a necessary consequence of it. Obedience, surely, is not all that is required of them : they should be taught to distinguish of themselves right from wrong, or I know not how they are to be managed ; when, as it frequently happens, we cannot see what they are at, and must take their words for it. A hound that hears a voice which has often rated him, and that hears the whip he has often ^elt, I know, will stop. - I also know, he will commit the same fault again, if he has been accustomed to be guilty of it.

" Obedience, you very rightly observe, is a necessary quality in a hound, for he is useless without it. It is therefore an excellent principle for a huntsman to set out upon ; yet, good as it is, I think it may be carried too far. I would not have him insist on too much, or tor- ment his hounds, mal-a-propos, by exacting of them by force what is not absolutely necessary to your diversion. You say, he intends to enter your hounds at hare - is it to teach them obedience? - Does he mean to encourage vice in them, to correct it afterwards ? - I have heard, indeed, that the way to make hounds steady from hare, is to enter them at hare : that is, to encourage them to hunt her. It requires more faith than I pretend to, to believe so strange a paradox.

"It concerns me to be obliged to differ from you in opinion ; but since it cannot now be helped, we will pur- sue the subject, and examine it throughout ; permit me then to ask you, what it is you propose from the entering of your hounds at hare ? Two advantages, I shall pre- sume, you expect from it ; - The teaching of your hounds to hunt, and teaching them to be obedient. - However

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 143

in Fox-hounds.

necessary you may think these requisites in a hound, I cannot but flatter myself they are to be acquired by less exceptionable means. The method I have already men- tioned to make hounds obedient, as it is practised in my own kennel - that of calling them over often in the ken- nel, to use them to their names, and walking them out often amongst sheep, hares, and deer, from which they are stopped to use them to a rate, in my opinion, would answer your purpose better. The teaching your hounds to hunt is by no means so necessary as you seem to ima- gine. Nature will teach it them, nor need you give yourself so much concern about it. Art only will be ne- cessary to prevent them hunting what they ought not to hunt - and do you really think your method a proper one to accomplish it ?

" The first and most essential thing towards making hounds obedient, I suppose, is to make them understand you ; nor do I apprehend you will find any difficulty on their parts, but such as may be occasioned on yours. - The language we use to them, to convey our meaning should never vary : - still less, should we alter the very meaning of the terms we use. - Would it not be absurd to encourage, when we mean to rate? and if we did, could we expect to be obeyed ? - You will not deny this, and yet you are guilty of no less an inconsistency, when you encourage your hounds to run a scent to-day, which you know, at the same time, you must be obliged to break them from to-morrow : - is it not running counter to justice and reason ?

" I confess there is some use in hunting young hounds, where you can easily command them ; but even this you

144 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Impropriety of Entering

may pay too clearly for. Enter your hounds in small covers, or in such large ones as have ridings cut in them ; whippers-in can then get at them, can always see what they are at, and I have no doubt that you may have a pack of fox-hounds steady to fox by this means, without adopting so preposterous a method as that of first making hare-hunters of them. You will find, that hounds, thus instructed what game they are to hunt, and what they are not, will stop at a word ; because they will under- stand you ; and after they have been treated in this manner, a smack only of the whip, will spare you the inhumanity of cutting your hounds in pieces (not very justly) for faults which you yourself have encouraged them to commit.

" I think, in your last letter, you seem very anxious to get your young hounds well blooded to fox, at the same time that you talk of entering them at hare. How am I to reconcile such contradictions ? If the blood of fox is of so much use, surely you cannot think the blood of a hare a matter of indifference, unless you should be of opinion that a fox is better eating. - Nature, I suppose, never intended they should hunt sheep, yet we very well know, when once they have killed sheep, that they have no dislike to mutton afterwards.

"You have conceived an idea, perhaps, that a fox- hound is designed by nature to hunt a fox. Yet, surely, if that vi^as your opinion, you would never think of enter- ing him at any other game. I cannot, however, think nature designed the dog, which we call a fox-hound, to hunt fox only, since we know he will also hunt other animals. That a well-bred fox-hound may give a pre-

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 145

Young Fox-hounds at Hare.

ference to vermin, caeteris paribus, I will not dispute ; I think it very possible he may ; but this I am certain of - that every fox-hound will leave a bad scent of fox, for a good one of either hare or deer, unless he has been made steady from them ; and in this, I shall not fear to be con- tradicted. But, as I do not wish to enter abstruse rea- soning with you, or think it any ways material to our present purpose, whether the dogs we call fox-hounds w^ere originally designed by nature to hunt fox or not, Ave will drop the subject. I must at the same time beg leave to observe, that dogs are not the only animals in which an extraordinary diversity of species has happen- ed since the days of Adam. Yet a great naturalist tells us, that man is nearer, by eight degrees, to Adam, than is the dog to the first dog of his race ; since the age of man is fourscore years, and that of a dog but ten. It therefore follows, that if both should equally degenerate, the alteration would be eight times more remarkable in the dog than in the man.

" The two most necessary questions which result from the foregoing premises, are - whether hounds entered at hare are perfectly steady, afterwards, to fox ; - and whether steadiness is not attainable by more reasonable means. Having never hunted with gentlemen who fol- low this practise, I must leave the first question for others to determine ; but having always had my hounds steady, I can myself answer the second."

CHAPTER VI.

Of the Huntsman and the Whippers-in, and their respec- tive Duties.

It very often happens, that the laborious or working classes of the community foolishly repine at the situation in which Providence has placed them, and are dissatis- fied with the means by which they obtain a livelihood ; to this, however, the huntsman is an evident, indeed a very striking, exception. A huntsman's life cannot be otherwise than happy, since he is liberally paid for doing that which gives him the greatest possible gratification.*

Beckford observes that a huntsman " should be young, strong, and active, bold and enterprising ; fond of the diversion and indefatigable in the pursuit of it; he should be sensible and good-tempered ; he ought also to be sober ; he should be exact, civil, and cleanly ; he should be a good horseman and a good groom ; his voice should be strong and clear, and he should have an eye so quick, as to perceive which of his hounds carries the scent, when all are running ; and should have so excellent an ear, as always to distinguish the foremost hounds when he does not see them. He should be quiet, patient, and without conceit. Such are the excellencies which con- stitute a good huntsman : he should not, however, be

* The above remarks will also apply to the gamekeeper; but scarcely perhaps to any other avocations in life - at least, in a manner so forcible and striking.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 147

Duty of the Huntsman.

too fond of displaying them till necessity calls them forth. He should let his hounds alone whilst they can hunt, and he should have genius to assist them when they cannot" The above qualifications will, however, rarely be found united in the same person. Good temper is a most de- sirable quality in a huntsman, as circumstances frequently occur where it is put to a very severe trial : - when, for instance, a fox is found, imprudent sportsmen are apt to ride over the scent, as well as to head him back. If the cover be small, so that the fox cannot go away unseen, heading back may not perhaps be of very great conse- quence ; but the case is frequently very different, and very vexatious ; but to ride over the scent is, I think, more provoking. When a fox has just broke cover, and before the hounds have got settled to the scent, how often have I seen the scent ridden over ! and that too in the most vexatious manner : - it certainly is not to be wondered at, however it may be regretted, if, on such occasions, the huntsman should forget the respect due to his superiors. On the 7th of last January (1826) I met the hounds of Hugo Meynell, Esq. at Radborne, about three miles from the town of Derby. A fox was found in a cover, called the Pasture : he was well viewed away ; in fact, he went off in such a manner as to enable a number of thoughtless and highly reprehensible sports- men to ride before the hounds - they rode over the scent : the hounds endeavoured to pick it out from among the horses' legs ; but the country presenting no formi- dable fences, the mercurial spirits above alluded to were enabled to head the hounds repeatedly, so that they could not get settled to the scent ; and we ultimately lost

148 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Anecdotes of the

the fox ! Could any thing be more provoking ? A few weeks prior to this period, I met the York and Ainsty fox-hovmds at Skehon Springs, near York. We found in Overton Wood, a cover of very considerable extent ; which renard seemed very unwilling to leave. At length, he broke away, and faced the open country in the direction of Beningborough ; but, at a short distance from the wood, he crossed a lane, where several secon- dary sort of sportsmen were waiting ; who rode over the scent in all directions : and though the pursuit was con- tinued for more than half an hour, the hounds were unable to run well up to their fox, (owing no doubt to the circumstance just mentioned) and we of course lost him. However, Naylor, the huntsman, kept his temper ; though he informed me, that, some time before this period, he had broken out into a great rage, in conse- quence of a gentleman, not merely riding over the scent, but also over the best hound in the pack, and killing it ! I have met with several huntsmen who possessed good sense, who were not altogether destitute of what is un- derstood by the word genius ; but who, however, had received scai'cely a common village education. The famous Dick Knight, who was huntsman to Lord Althorp, and who, with his favourite horse (Contract) is repre- sented in a well-known series of engravings, was as illiterate as possible, but occasionally elicited something- like strokes of genius. This man was a great favourite with his master ; was a desperate rider ; and one who excelled in low games at cards, in which he passed most of his leisure hours. The features of Dick Knight's face were by no means prepossessing ; yet they were strongly

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 149

jjn^irifir^jij»iiiirrivifri'r<ri-'i - ».....». i *i'iii>»

famous Dick Knight,

marked, and very expressive. He is celebrated for several extraordinary feats, amongst which, his leap down the precipice, known by the name of Dick Knight's leap, was perhaps the most remarkable and the most dan- gerous. Dick had repeatedly run a particular fox, which uniformly beat his hounds ; this same fox became well known, and Knight always knew where to find him. Renard invariably made for and reached a cover, (Cank Wood) distant about ten miles, in defiance of every ex- ertion made to kill him ; and in this cover he uniformly eluded all further pursuit. Knight was bent on killing this fox, whose acknowledged game ought, however, to have insured him fau- play ; but Dick, chafed by the sneers of the sportsmen who attended his hounds, and finding it impossible to kill this fox in the ordinary manner, adopted the following mode in order to accom- phsh his purpose. He gave his whippers-in the requisite directions as to the manner in which they were to second his exertions ; and, placing himself in a situation where he might be able to view away his old acquaintance, the hounds were thrown into the cover, the fox found, and viewed off by Dick Knight. But Knight was not content with this ; he had resolved to keep him company as long or as far as possible : he therefore went away with him and kept him in sight for four or five miles : this was an exertion of which very few would have been capable ; but it answered the purpose, (not a praiseworthy purpose certainly ;) for by this method the fox was so pressed and so blown, that he was unable to reach the place that had always afibrded him secure protection : however, he made the most desperate ellbrts, and the hounds reached him only one mile from his place of safety !

150 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Notices of several

Shaw, one of the most famous huntsmen of modern days, appeared to have something hke genius in his com- position, though he was not able to write till he entered the service of the Duke of Rutland, when he was about thirty years of age. The first time I ever saw this man was with the harriers of Lord Moira (Marquis of Hast- mgs) about thirty-iive years ago, to which he was hunts- man, and it was the first season he had ever acted in that capacity. These harriers were afterwards replaced by fox-hounds, and Shaw continued to hunt them (several years) till they were sold by Lord Moira to Sir Henry Harper, of Caulk, Derbyshire. Shaw afterwards became huntsman to Sir Thomas Mostyn ; and ultimately served the Duke of Rutland in that capacity; with both of whom he was a great favourite. He continued in the Duke's service for a series of years, until, in fact, he was afflicted with some disorder, which disabled him from fulfilling the duties of his office. He quitted the service of his Grace for some time, and returned again at the express desire of the latter ; but he was still incapable of going through the fatigue necessarily attendant upon the office of huntsman, and he retired. Such, however, had been the kindness of his master, that Shaw had realized, not a splendid fortune, but sufficient to live respectably and keep a couple of hunters. When Sir Bellingham Graham had the Pycheley hunt, Shaw was frequently out; he also visited other parts, and I believe resides at present in Northamptonshire.

Shaw was not only a favourite with the Duke, his master, but with those who attended his hounds. He was a good horseman, very active in the field, civil and

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 151

Modern Huntsmen.

respectful, and sometimes manifested what Beckford would call genius. On one occasion, when he had been running a fox for some time in the Vale of Belvoir, the hounds came to a cover, which the fox had evidently entered : they were soon through it ; and went away as merrily as possible on the other side. But, before they had run far, Shaw stopped them, and led them again to the cover against the opinion of the field ; where, how- ever, he found his original fox and killed him ! A fresh fox had evidently gone away when the hounds first en- tered the cover, and they changed ; of which Shaw was soon aware, and hence we see his reason for returning. Shaw became a huntsman without going through those probationary steps, which generally lead to the office : - he never officiated in the subordinate capacity of whip- per-in.

I have seen several good huntsmen within the last half score years ; and I am of opinion that few packs of fox- hounds were ever better managed in the field than the Quorndon, a few years ago, when Sebright was the huntsman, assisted by those two very active whippers-in, Richard Burton and Will Head. - They are all light weights, and good riders - Sebright in particular. The latter is huntsman to Lord Fitzwilliam ; Burton remains still at Quorndon with Mr. Osbaldeston ; Head has for several years hunted Sir Harry Mainwaring's hounds.

Richards, who hunts the Badsworth, seems to under- stand his business ; but, unfortunately for a huntsman, he cannot be called a ligJit weight. He is, however, a good rider, and an active man in the field. In the year 1825, 1 visited the Badsworth ; and had thus an oppor-

152 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Slow Huntsmen improper for Fox-hounds.

tunity of observing the motions of Richards : I pro- ceeded to Lord Harewood's hunt, where the operations of George Payne (his lordship's huntsman) formed a striking contrast to those of Richards. The hounds must, in a certain degree, take their tone and manner from the character of the huntsman : - the Badsworth are quick and active ; Lord Harewood's are more slow and more philosophical. There was one hound in par- ticular in Lord Harewood's pack that struck my atten- tion : I remarked to Payne, the huntsman, that I was much pleased with the hound in question : - " That hoxmd, Sir, (said he) would hunt through York Min- ster."

Slow huntsmen will kill but very few foxes : they are in fact a check upon their hounds ; which, with a high scent only, are able to run up to their game ; when it is indeed out of the huntsman's power to prevent it. " What avails it to be told which way the fox is gone when he is so far before that you cannot hunt him ? A New- market boy, with a good understanding and a good voice, might be preferable perhaps to an indifferent and slack huntsman ; he would press on his hounds while the scent was good, and the foxes he killed, he would kill handsomely. - A perfect knowledge of the intricacies of hunting is chiefly of use to slow huntsmen and bad hounds, since they more often stand in need of it. - Activity is the first requisite in a huntsman to a pack of fox-hounds ; a want of it no judgment can make amends for ; but the most difficult of all his undertakings is the distinguishing of different scents, and knowing, with any certainty, the scent of the hunted fox. Much speculation is here re~

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 153

Lord Darlington as a Huntsman.

quired - the length of time hounds remain at fault - the difference of ground - change of weather - all these contrihute to increase the difficulty, and require a nicety of judgment and a precision, much above the compre- hension of most huntsmen."

Lord Darlington performs the duty of huntsman to his own pack ; but I cannot say that I much admire his lordship in that capacity. He appears to be impatient, and his method seems to partake as much of coursing the fox, as of hunting him.

The qualification of being a ''good groom,'' which Beckford states as essential in a huntsman, is not, how- ever, so indispensable as he seems to think. Fox-hunting has been on the increase since Beckford's time ; the es- tablishments in general are more extensive ; and, on this account, the management of the hounds and the care of the horses form two distinct arrangements. In small establishments, the huntsman may officiate as principal groom ; but it is probably too much to expect that a clever groom and a good huntsman should be united in the same person.

A huntsman should be very punctual in arriving at the fixture or place of meeting ; and, when at the cover side, he should throw in his hounds as quietly as possible, and see that they spread the cover properly. When the fox has gone away, "the huntsman should certainly set oft' with his foremost hounds, and keep as close to them afterwards as he conveniently can. No hounds then can slip dow n the wind, and get out of his hearing ; he will also see how far they carry the scent ; a necessary know-

K

154 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

When a Huntsman

ledge ; for without it, he never can make a cast, with any certainty.

'* It is his business to be ready at all times, to lend them that assistance they so frequently stand in need of, and which, when they are first at fault, is most critical. A fox-hound, at that time, will exert himself most ; he afterwards cools, and becomes more indifferent about his game. Those huntsmen who do not get forward enough, to take advantage of this eagerness and impetu- osity, and direct it properly, seldom know enough of hunting to be of much use to them afterwards.

"A huntsman should always listen to his hounds, whilst they are running in cover ; he should be particu- larly attentive to the head hounds, and he should be constantly on his guard against a skirter, for if there ai-e two scents, he must be wrong. - Generally speaking, the best scent is least likely to be that of the hunted fox : and as a fox seldom suffers hounds to run up to him, as long as he is able to prevent it ; so, nine times out of ten, when foxes are hallooed early in the day, they are all fresh foxes. The hounds most likely to be right, are the hard-running, line-hunting hounds ; or such as the hunts- man knows had the lead, before there arose any doubt of changing. With regard to the fox, if he breaks over an open country, it is no sign that he is hard run, for they seldom at any time will do that, unless they are a great way before the hounds. Also, if he runs up the -wind - they seldom or ever do that, when they have been long hunted, and grow weak ; and when they run their .foil, that also may direct him.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 155

should assist his Hounds.

" The huntsman, at a check, had better let liis liounds alone, or content himself with holding them forward, without taking them off their noses. Hounds that are not used to be cast, will of themselves acquire a better cast than it is in the power of any huntsman to give them ; will spread more, and try better for the scent; and, if they are in health and spirits, they will want no en- couragement.

"If they are at fault, and have made their own cast, (which the huntsman should always first encourage them to do) it is then his business to assist them further. The first cast I bid my huntsman make, is generally a regular one ; not choosing to rely entirely on his judgment : if that does not succeed, he is then at liberty to follow his own opinion, and proceed as observation and genius may direct. When such a cast is made, I like to see some mark of good sense and meaning in it ; whether down the wind, or towards some likely cover, or strong earth : however, as it is at best uncertain, and as the huntsman and the fox may be of different opinions, I always wish to see a regular cast, before I see a knowing one ; which, as a last resource, should not be called forth till it is wanted. The letting homids alone is but a negative goodness in a huntsman ; whereas it is true, that thts last shows real genius ; and to be perfect, must be born u ith him. There is a fault, however, which a knowing hunts- man is too apt to commit: he will find a fresh fox, and then claim the merit of having recovered the hunted one. It always is dangerous to throw hounds into a cover to retrieve a lost scent; and, unless they hit him in, is not to be depended on. OvWen to the last extremity, should

k2

156 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

a knowing cast not succeed, your huntsman is in no wise blameable : mine, I remember, lost me a good chace, by persevering too long in a favourite cast : but he gave me so many good reasons why the fox ought to have gone that way, that I returned perfectly well satisfied, telling him at the same time, that, if the fox was a fool, he

could not help it.

"A huntsman will complain of hounds for staying behind in cover : it is a great fault, and makes the hound that has it of little value ; a fault frequently occasioned by his own mismanagement. Having drawn one cover, he hurries away to another, and leaves the whipper-in to bring on the hounds after him ; but the whipper-in is seldom less desirous of getting forward than the hunts- man; and, unless they come off easily, it is not often that he gives himself much concern about them. Also, hounds that are left too long at their walks, will acquire this trick from hunting'by themselves, and are not easily broken

off it.

'« Before a huntsman goes into the kennel to draft his hounds, let him determine within himself the number of hounds'he intends to take out ; as likewise the number of young hounds that he can venture in the country where he is going to hunt. Different countries may require different hounds ; some may require more hoimds than others : it is not an easy matter to draft hounds properly ; nor can any expedition be made in it, without

some method.

'' If the huntsman, without inconvenience, can begm drawing at the farthest cover down the wind, and so draw from cover to cover up the wind till you find, let

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 157

Fox Huunds should draw.

him do it - it will have many advantages attending it : he will draw the same covers in half the time ; there will be less difficulty in getting the hounds off; and as the fox will most probably run the covers that have already been drawn, you are certain not to change.

"Judicious huntsmen will observe where foxes like best to lie. Generally speaking, I think they are fondest of such covers as lie high, and are dry and thick at bottom ; such also as lie out of the wind ; and such as are on the sunny side of hills. The same cover where you find one fox, when it has remained quiet any time, will probably produce another.

" It is to little purpose to draw hazle coppices at the time when nuts are gathered ; furze covers, or two or three years coppices, are then the only quiet places a fox can kennel in : they also are disturbed when pheasant shooting begins, and older covers are more likely. The season when foxes are most wild and strong is about Christmas ; a huntsman then must lose no time in drawing - he must draw up the wind, unless the cover be very large, in which case it may be better perhaps to cross it, giving the hounds a side wind, lest he should be obliged to turn down the wind at last : in either case, let him draw as quietly as he can.

" Young coppices, at this time, are quite bare : the most likely places are four or five years coppices, and such as are furzy at bottom.

" Some huntsmen draw too quick - some too slow. The time of the day, the behaviovu- of his hounds, and the covers they are drawing, will direct an observing huntsman in the pace which he ought to go.

k3

158 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Of Casting

" When you try a furze brakcy let me give you one caution : never halloo a fox till you see he is got quite clear of it. When a fox is found in such places, hounds are sure to go off" well at him ; and it must be owing either to bad scent, bad hounds, bad management, or bad luck, if they fail to kill him afterwards. Huntsmen, whilst their hounds are drawing, or are at fault, fre- quently make so much noise themselves, that they can hear nothing else ; they should always have an ear to a halloo.

" Though a huntsman ought to be as silent as possible at going into a cover, he cannot be too noisy at coming out of it again ; and if at any time he should turn back suddenly, let him give as much notice of it as he can to his hounds, or he will leave many of them behind him ; and, should he turn down the wind, he may see no more of them.

''Though I Uke to see fox hounds cast wide and for- ward, and dislike to see them pick a cold scent through flocks of sheep to no purpose, yet I must beg leave to observe, that I dislike still more to see that unaccount- able hurry, which huntsmen will sometimes put themselves into, the moment their hounds are at fault. Time ought always to be allowed them, to make their own cast ; and if a huntsman is judicious, he will take that opportunity to consider, what part he himself has next to act ; but instead of this, I have seen hounds hurried away the very instant they came to a fault, a wide cast made, and the hounds at last brought back to the very spot whence they were so abruptly taken, and where, if the huntsman had had a minute's patience, they would have hit off the

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 159

scent themselves. It is always great impertinence in a huntsman to pretend to make a cast himself, before the hounds have made theirs. Prudence should direct hun to encourage, and, I may say, humour his hounds, in the cast they seem inclined to make, and either to stand still, or trot round with them, as circumstances may require.

" I have seen huntsmen make their cast on bad ground, when they might as easily have made it on good. I have seen them suffer their hounds to try in the midst of a flock of sheep, when there was a hedge, near which they might have been sure to take the scent ; and I have seen a cast made with every hound at their horses' heels. - When a hound tries for the scent, his nose is to the ground : when a huntsman makes a cast, his eye should be on his hounds ; and when he sees them spread wide, and try as they ought, his cast may then be quick.

" When hounds are at fault, and the huntsman halloos them off the line of the scent, the whippers-in smacking their whips, and rating them after him, if he trots away with them, may not they think the business of the day is over ? - Hounds never, in my opinion, (unless in par- ticular cases, or when you go to a halloo) should be taken entirely off their noses : but, when lifted, should be con- stantly made to try as they go. Some huntsmen have a dull, stupid way of speaking to their hounds ; at these times, little should be said ; and that should have both, meaning and expression in it.

*' When your huntsman makes a cast, I hope he makes it perfect one way, before he tries another, as much time is lost by going backwards and forwards. You will see huntsmen, when a forward cast docs not succeed, come

160 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Of Foxes running the Roads.

slowly back again : they should return as fast as they can.

" When hounds are at fault, and it is probable that the fox has headed back, your cast forward should be short and quick ; for the scent is then likely to be behind you : too obstinate a perseverance forward has been the loss of many foxes. In heathy countries, if there are many roads, foxes will always run them in dry weather ; when hounds, therefore, overrun the scent, if your huntsman returns to the first cross road, he probably will hit off the scent again.

*' In large covers, if there are many roads, in bad scenting days when these roads are dry, or after a thaw, when they carry, it is necessary your huntsman should be near to his hounds to help them, and hold them for- ward. Foxes will rvui the roads at these times, and hounds cannot always own the scent. When they are at fault on a dry road, let not your himtsman turn back too soon ; let him not stop till he can be certain the fox is not gone on. The hounds should try on both sides the road at once : if he perceives that they try on one side only, on his return let him try the other.

" If a fox runs up the wind when first found, and af- terwards turns, he seldom, if ever, turns again. This observation may not only be of use to your huntsman in his cast, but may be of use to you, if you should lose the hounds.

** When you are pursuing a fox over a country, the scent being bad, and the fox a long way before, without ever having been pressed, if his point should be for strong- earths that are open, or for large covers, where game is

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 161

Recovering a hunted Fox when Scent fails.

in plenty, it may be acting wisely to take oft' the hounds at the first fault they come to ; for the fox will go many miles for your one, and probably will run you out of all scent ; but if he should not, you wiU be likely to change at the first cover you come into : when a fox has been hard pressed, he should not be easily given up.

" When you would recover a hunted fox, and have no longer a scent to hunt him by, a long cast to the first cover he seems to point to, is the only resource you have left : get there as fast as you can, and then let your hounds try as slowly and as quietly as possible : if hunt- ing after him is hopeless, and a long cast does not succeed ^ you had better give him up. Need I remind you, that, when the scent lies badly, and you find it impossible for hounds to run, you had better return home, since the next day may be more favourable. It surely is a great fault in a huntsman to persevere in bad weather, when hounds cannot riui, and when there is not a probabihty of kilHng a fox. Some there are, who, after they have lost one fox for want of scent to hunt him by, will find another ; this makes their hounds slack, and sometimes vicious ; it also disturbs the covers to no purpose. Some sportsmen are more lucky in their days than others. If you hunt every other day, it is possible they may be all bad, and the intermediate days all good ; an indifferent pack therefore, by hunting on good days, may kill foxes, without any merit ; and a good pack, notwithstanding all their exertion, may lose foxes which they deserved to kill.

"A perfect knowledge of his country certainly is a great help to a huntsman ; if your's as yet has it not,

162 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Of a tired Fox.

great allowance ought to be made. The trotting away with hounds to make a long and knowing cast, is a pri- vilege which a new huntsman cannot pretend to : an ex- perienced one may safely say, a fox has made for such a cover, when he has known, perhaps, that nine out of ten, with the wind in the same quarter, have constantly gone thither.

" In a country where there are large earths, a fox that knows the country, and tries any of them, seldom fails to try the rest. A huntsman may take advantage of this ; they are certain casts, and may help him to get nearer to his fox.

" Great caution is necessary when a fox runs into a village : if he is halloo'd there, get forward as fast as you can. Foxes, when tired, will lie down any where, and are often lost by it. A wide cast is not the best to recover a tired fox with tired hounds : they should hvmt him out, inch by inch, though they are ever so long about it, for the reason I have just given, that he will lie down any ivhere.

" In chases and forestSj where high fences are made to preserve the coppices, I like to see a huntsman put only a few hounds over, enough to carry on the scent, and get forward with the rest : it is a proof that he knows his business.

"A huntsman must take care, where foxes are in plenty, that he does not run the heel ; for it frequently happens, that hounds can run the wrong way of the scent better than they can the right, when one is up the wind and the other down.

" Fox-hunters, I think, are never guilty of the fault of trying up the wind, before they have tried down. I

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 163

Kunning the Foil.

have known them lose foxes, rather than condescend to try up the wind at all.

'* When a huntsman hears a halloo, and has five or six couple of hounds along with him, the pack not running, let him get forward with those which he has : when they are on the scent, the rest will soon join them.

" Let him lift his tail hounds, and get them forward after the rest : it can do no hurt. But let him be cautious how he lifts any hounds to get forward before the rest : it always is dangerous, and foxes are sometimes lost by it.

** When a fox runs his foil in cover, if you suffer all your hounds to hunt on the line of him, they will foil the ground, and tire themselves to little purpose. I have before told you, that your huntsman, at such a time, may stop the tail hounds, and throw them in at head. I am almost inclined to say, it is the only tune it should be done. Whilst hounds run straight, it cannot be of any use ; for they will get on faster with the scent than they would without it.

"When hounds are hunting a cold scent, and point towards a cover, let a whipper-in get forward to the op- posite side of it. Should the fox break before the hounds reach the cover, stop them, and get them nearer to him.

" When a fox persists in running in a strong cover, lies down often behind the hounds, and they are slack in hunting him, let the huntsman get into the cover to them. It may make the fox break, it may keep him off his foil, or may prevent the hounds from giving him up.

" When hounds are at fault, and cannot make it out of themselves, let the first cast be quick ; the scent is then good, nor are the hounds likely to go over it : as

164 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Hounds Casting themselves.

the scent gets worse, the cast should be slower, and be more cautiously made. This is an essential part of hunting, and which, I am sorry to say, few huntsmen attend to. I wish they would remember the following rules, viz. that with a good scent, their cast should be quick ; with a bad scent, slow ; and that, when the hounds are picking along a cold scent, they are not to cast them at all.

"When hounds are at fault, and staring about, trust- ing solely to their eyes, and to their ears, the making a cast with them, I apprehend, wovdd be to little purpose. The likeliest place for them to find a scent, is where they left it ; and when the fault is evidently in the dog, a forward cast is least likely to recover the scent.

" When hounds are making a good and regular cast, trying for the scent as they go, suffer not your huntsman to say a word to them : it cannot do any good, and pro- bably may make them go over the scent.

"When hounds come to a check, a huntsman should observe the tail hounds : they are the least likely to overrun the scent, and he may see by them how far they brought it. In most packs there are some hounds that will shew the point of the fox ; and, if attended to, will direct his cast : when such hounds follow unwillingly, he may be certain the rest of the pack are running without the scent.

"When he casts his hounds, let him not cast wide, without reason ; for of course it will take more time. Huntsmen, in general, keep too forward in their casts ; or, as a sailor would say, keep too long on one tacJc. They should endeavour to hit off the scent by crossing

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 165

Of Casting lound Sheep.

the line of it. Two parallel lines, you know, can never meet.

" When he goes to a halloo, let him be careful, lest his hounds run the heel, as much time is lost by it. I once saw this mistake made by a famous hvmtsman : - after we had left a cover, which we had been drawing, a disturbed fox was seen to go into it ; he was halloo'd, and we re- turned. The huntsman, who never enquired njhere the fox was seen, or on which side the cover he entered, threw his hounds in at random; and, as it happened, on the opposite side : they immediately took the heel of him, broke cover, and hunted the scent back to his very kennel.

" Different countries require different casts : such huntsmen as have been used to a woodland, and inclosed country, I have seen lose time in an open country, where wide casts are always necessary.

" When you want to cast round a flock of sheep, the whipper-in ought to drive them the other way, lest they should keep running on before you.

"A fox seldom goes over or under a gate, when he can avoid it.

*' Huntsmen are frequently very conceited, and very obstinate. Often have I seen them, when their hounds came to a check, turn directly back, on seeing hounds at head, which they had no opinion of. They supposed the fox was gone another way ; in which case, Mr. Bayes's remark in the Rehearsal always occurs to me : " that if he should not, what then becomes of their sup- pose." Better, gurely, would it be, to make a short cast forward first; they then might be certain the hounds

166 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Of obstinate Hounds and obstinate Huntsmen.

were wrong, and of course, could make their own cast with greater confidence. The advantage, next to that of knowing where the fox is gone, is that of knowing, with certainty, where he is not.

" Most huntsmen hke to have all their hounds turned after them, when they make a cast : I wonder not at them for it, but I am always sorry when I see it done ; for, till I find a huntsman that is infallible, I shall con- tinue to think, the more my hounds spread, the better : as long as they are within sight or hearing, it is sufficient. Many a time have I seen an obstinate hound hit off" the scent, when an obstinate huntsman, by casting the wrong- way, has done all in his power to prevent it.* Two foxes I remember to have seen killed in one day, by skirting hounds, whilst the huntsman was making his cast the contrary way.

* It is recorded, that, "in drawing a strong cover, a young bitch gave tongue very freely, while none of the other hounds challenged: the whipper- in rated to no purpose ; the huntsman insisted she was wrong, and the whip was applied with great severity - in doing this, the lash accidentally struck one of her eyes out of the socket. Notwithstanding this painful situation, the bitch again took the scent, and proved herself right, for a fox had stole away, and she broke cover after him unheeded and alone. How- ever, after much delay and cold hunting, the pack did hit off the chase : at some distance a farmer informed the sportsmen that they were far behind their fox ; for that a single hound, very bloody about the head, had passed a field off from him, and was running breast high, and that there was little chance of their getting up to him. The pack, from her coming to a check, did at length get up ; and after some cold hunting, the bitch again hit off the scent : the fox was killed, after a long and severe run, and the eye of the bitch, which had hung pendant during the chase, was taken off by a pair of scissors after the fox was dead !"

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 167

Trying back for a Fox.

" When hounds, running in cover, come into a road, and horses are on before, let tlie huntsman hold them quickly on beyond where the horses have been, trying the opposite side as he goes along. Should the horse- men have been there long enough to have headed back the fox, let them then try back. Condemn me not for suftering hounds to try back, when the fox has been headed back ; I recommend it at no other time.

*' When your hounds are divided into many parts, you had better go off with the first fox that breaks. The ground will soon get tainted, nor will hounds like a cover where they are often changing.

" The heading a fox back at first, if the cover be not a large one, is oftentimes of service to hounds, as he will not stop, and cannot go off unseen. When a fox has been hard run, I have known it turn out otherwise ; and hounds that would easily have killed him out of the cover, have left him in it.

" When a fox has been often headed back on one side of a cover, and a huntsman knows there is not any body on the other side to halloo him, the first fault his hounds come to, let him cast that way, lest the fox should be gone off; and if he is in the cover, he may still recover him.

''The two principal things which a huntsman has to attend to, are the keeping of his hounds healthy and steady. The first is attained by cleanliness and proper food ; the latter, by putting as seldom as possible, any unsteady ones amongst them.

" When a fox is lost, the huntsman, on his return home, should examine himself, and endeavour to find in what

168 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

What constitutes a Perfect Huntsman.

he might have done better ; he may by this means make the very losing of a fox of use to him.

** Sometimes you will meet with a good kennel hunts- man ; sometimes an active and judicious one in the field ; some are clever at finding a fox, others are better after he is found ; whilst perfection in a huntsman, like per- fection in any thing else, is scarcely any where to be met with.

" The keeping hounds clean and healthy, and bringing them into the field in their fullest vigour, is the excellence of a good kennel huntsman; if besides this, he makes his hounds both love and fear him ; if he is active, and presses them on while the scent is good, always aiming to keep as near to the fox as he can ; if, when his hounds are at fault, he makes his cast with judgment, not casting the wrong way first, and blundering on the right at last, as many do ; if, added to this, he is patient and perse- vering, never giving up a fox while there remains a chance of killing him, he then is a perfect huntsman."

With regard to the whippers-in - on leaving the kennel, the place of the first whipper-in is before the hounds ; the second whipper-in should follow them at some little distance. - The first whipper-in may be considered as a second huntsman, and should possess as nearly as pos- sible the same good qualities ; but acting, as he must,under the direction of the huntsman, a person may fulfil the duties of this office without the experience so essential to a good huntsman. He must always maintain to the huntsman's halloo, and stop such hounds as divide from it : when stopped, he should get to the huntsman with them as soon as possible. He must always be content

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 169

Anecdote of Will Dean.

to act in a subordinate capacity, except when circum- stances require that he should act otherwise. If, for instance, the huntsman happen to be thrown out, it is the duty of the first whipper-in to supply his place. - Beckford says, " I prefer an excellent Avhipper-in to an excellent huntsman. The opinion I believe is new ; - I must endeavour to explain it. My meaning is this, that I think I should have better sport, and kill more foxes, with a moderate huntsman, and an excellent whipper-in, than with the best of huntsmen, without such an assist- ant. You will say, perhaps, that a good huntsman will make a good whipper-in ; not such a one as I mean; his talent must be born with him. My reasons are, that good hounds, (and I would not keep bad ones) stand oftener in need of the one than the other ; and genius, which in a whipper-in, if attended by obedience, his first requisite, can do no hurt ; in a huntsman, is a dangerous, though desirable, quality : and if not accompanied with a large share of prudence, and I may s^y humility, will often spoil your sport, and hurt your hounds. A gen- tleman told me, he heard the famous Will Dean, when his hoimds were running hard in a line with Daventry, from whence they were at that time many miles distant, swear exceedingly at the whipper-in, saying, " What business have yoti here?" the man was amazed at the question, 'W/y dont you know" said he, "and be d - 'd to yon, that the great earth at Daventry is open ?" - The man got forward, and reached the earth just time enough to see the fox go in. If therefore whippers-in are at liberty to act as they shall think right, they are much less confined than the himtsman himself, wlio must

L

170 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

The Steadiness of a Pack of Fox Hounds

follow his hounds ; and consequently they have greater scope to exert their genius, if they have any."

There ai*e many sportsmen, however, who do not agree in opinion with Beckford on the subject just quoted ; nor can I help thinking that the success of the chase depends more upon the genius of the huntsman, than upon that of the first whipper-in. The making and keeping the pack steady depends much upon him, as a huntsman should seldom, if ever, flog a hound. When a whipper-in is desirous to stop the head hounds, he should, if possible, get to the head of them before he attempts to stop them. Rating behind is often of little use, and if they are in cover, it may prevent him from ascertaining which are the culprits. When hounds are running a fox, he should content himself with stopping- such as are riotous, and should get them forward. " They may be condemned on the spot, but the punishment should be deferred till the next day, when they may be taken out on purpose to commit the fault, and receive the punishment."

Sometimes a whipper-in will rate young hounds, when he perceives them about to commit a fault ; this may prevent them for that time; but will not deter them pei'haps for the future, as they will bo very likely to do the same again on the first opportunity which is presented to them. He should let them alone till he has completely ascertained what they would be at - and he may then chastise them according to the degree of the offence. If when a whipper-in rate a hound, the hound pays no at- tention to it, he should take him up immediately and give him a severe flogging. Whippers-in are too apt to

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 171

depends much on the \Vhi|iper-in.

continue rating when tliey find rating is of no avail ; at the same time, he should never strike a hound without the animal being perfectly conscious for what the blow has been inflicted. A blow should never be given to a hound that does not deserve it ; but whenever a blow is called for, it should be severely administered.

" Such hounds as are notorious offenders should also feel the lash and hear a rate as they go to cover ; it may be an useful hint to thein, and may prevent a severe flogging afterwards. A sensible whipper-in will wait his opportunity to single out his hound ; he will then hit him hard, and rate him well ; whilst a foolish one will often hit a dog he did not intend to strike ; will ride full gallop into the midst of the hounds ; will perhaps i*ide over some of the best of them, and put the whole pack into confusion ! " Whenever a hound deserves the lash, the whipper-in should hit him first and rate him afterwards ; as a hound, if rated first, will naturally enough avoid the whip, if possible.

The second whipper-in is frequently a youth, ignorant in a great degree of the business of hunting ; and indeed, if such an one be tractable, he will answer the purpose. He should never encourage or rate a hound, but when he is quite certain it is right to do so ; nor should he ever get forward whilst a single hound remains behind - he should be particularly careful to suffer no hound to remain behind in cover.

Beckford says the first whipper-in is sometimes con- ceited ; I have known instances where the second whip- per-in has manifested more than a sufficient portion of this baneful quality: as a specimen of which, I give the

1.2

172 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Funeral of Moody,

following instance : - The Cheshire fox-hounds (Sir Harry Mainwaring's) on the 31st of January, 1826, met at Shavington, the seat of Lord Kilmorey. A brace of foxes were found in a neighbouring plantation, one of which gave us a run of nearly an hour, and was lost. Another fox was found at Combermere, which afforded a very good run of fifty minutes. But, prior to the con- clusion of the business, Will Head's (the huntsman) horse came to a stand still ; the horse of the first whipper-in (Joseph Howard) was completely exhausted at the same time, and took his station by the side of the huntsman's horse: Henry GaiF(the second whipper-in) had his horse still in a going condition. The huntsman called to him to lend him his horse, when he replied, " 111 see you

d 'd first ; exultingly rode forward, and killed the

fox."

The merits of famous huntsmen have frequently been recorded ; but perhaps Moody alone, as a whipper-in, has been rendered immortal through the medium of the press. Moody was, for thirty years, whipper-in to Mr. Forrester's hounds in Shropshire. He was carried to his last home by six earth stoppers, attended by many friends. Directly after the coi-pse, followed his favourite horse (whom he used to call Old Soul) with a fox's brush at the front of the bridle ; his cap, whip, boots, &c. across the saddle. After the burial service was read, three view halloos were given over his grave. This mode of consigning the earthly remains of Moody to the grave was in consequence of his own express desire while living : and the event has been commemorated by the following song frf)m the pen of W. Pearce, Esq^

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 173

the famous Whipper-in.

which was frequently sung with uncommon effect by Incledon : -

You all knew Tom Moody, the Whipper-in, well:

The bell just done tolling was honest Tom's knell :

A more able sportsman ne'er follow'd a hound

Through a country, well known to him, fifty miles round s

No hound ever chnllcngd so deep in the wood,

But Tom well knew the sound, and could tell if 't was good ; -

And ALL, with attention, would eagerly mark,

When he cheer'd up the pack witli - " Hark ! Ratller ! hark! hark !

High ! - wind him ! and cross him !

Now, Rattler, boy ! - Hark !"

Six crafty hearth-stoppers, in hunter's-green drest, Supported poor Tom to "an earth" made for rest: His horse, which he styld his " Old Soul," next apjjear'd, On whose forehead the brush of his last fox was rear'd ; Whip, cap, boots, and spurs, in a trophy were bound ; And here and there follow'd an old straggling hound. Ah ! no more at his halloo yon vales will they trace ! Nor the Wrekin* resound his first scream in the chase!

With " high-over ! now press him !

Tally ho! tally ho!"

Tom thus spoke to his friends, ere he gave up his breath ; - " Since I see you're rcsolv'd to be in at the death. One favour bestow - 'tis the last I shall crave ; - Give a rattling view halloo thrice over my grave : And unless at that warning I lift up my head. My boys ! you may fairly conclude I am dead !" Honest Tom was obey'd, and the shout rent the sky, For ev'ry voice join'd in th' enlivening cry !

" Tally ho ! hark forward I

Tally ho! tally ho!"

# The famous mountain ja Shropshire.

l3

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,

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 175

Difi'erence of Opinion in respect to Blood.

that, with regard to myself, I ahva) s return home better pleased with an indifferent chase, with death at the end of it, than with the best chase possible if it ends with the loss of the fox." It cannot" be denied that the death of the fox is a satisfactory termination of the chase ; but, on the indispensable necessity of blood to a pack of fox- hounds, all fox-huntei's are not agreed. I am perfectly aware that the opinion expressed by Beckford on the subject of blood is generally entertained; but there has been one exception at least, and that exception entitled to much more than ordinary consideration : - the justly celebrated Mr. Meynell, we are told, "was more indif- ferent about blood than most masters of hounds." His notions on the subject of fox-hunting having appeared through the medium of the press, I will quote them in this place for the benefit of the reader : -

" Hugo Meynell, Esq. of Quorndon, in the county of Leicester, was, doubtless, the most successful sports- man of his time ; producing the steadiest, wisest, best, and handsomest pack of fox-hovmds in the kingdom.

" His object in breeding hounds was, to combine strength with beauty, and steadiness with high mettle.

" His idea of perfection of shape was, short backs, open bosoms, straight legs, and compact feet; as the greatest and first considerations in form.

"The first qualities he considered were, fine noses and stout runners.

" In the spring of the year he broke in his hounds at hare, to find out their propensities, which, when at all flagrant, they early manifested, and he drafted them ac- cordinti to their defects.

176 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

The System of the

" After hare-hunting, they were, the remaming part of the summer, daily walked amongst riot.

" When the hunting season commenced, his hounds wei'e hunted in the woodlands, amidst abundance of foxes, for two months.

"In the month of November, the pack was carefully divided into the old and young pack. The old pack consisted of three years' old and upwards ; and no two years' old was admitted, except a very high opinion was entertained of his virtues and abilities.

" The young hounds were hunted twice a week, as much in woodlands as possible, and in the most un- popular coverts. The young pack had always a few couple of steady old hounds with them.

" The old pack hunted the best country. When any bad faults were discovered, they were immediately draft- ed, for fear of contamination.

" Skirting, over-running the scent, and babbling, were the greatest faults.

" Perfections consisted of true guiders in hard run- ning, and close patient hunters in a cold scent - together with stoutness.

"Mr. Meynell's hounds were criticised, by himself and his friends, in the most minute manner : every hound had his peculiar talents, and was sure to have a fair op- portunity of displaying them. Some had the remark- able faculty of finding a fox, which they would do, almost invariably, notwithstanding twenty or thirty couple were out in the same cover ; some had the propensity to hunt the doubles and short turns ; some were inclined to be hard runners ; some had a i-emarkable faculty of hunting

HUNTING DIRECTORY 177

celebrated Hugo Mcyncll, Esq.

the drag of a fox, which they would do very late in the day ; and sometimes the hardest runners were the best hunters : and fortunate was the year when such excel- lencies prevailed.

" Mr. Meynell prided himself on the steadiness and docility of his hounds, and their hunting through sheep and hares, which they did in a very superior manner. He seldom, or ever, attempted to lift his hounds through sheep ; and from habit, and the great flocks the hounds were accustomed to, they carried the scent on most cor- rectly and expeditiously, much sooner than any lifting could accomplish.

" Mr. Meynell was not fond of casting hounds : when once they were laid upon the line of scent, he left it to them - he only encouraged them to take pains, and kept aloof, so that the steam of the horses could not interfere with the scent.

" When a fox was found in a gorse covert, very httle noise or encouragement was made ; and, when he went away, as soon as the hounds were apprised of it, they did not go headlong after, but commenced very quietly - settled and collected together gradually, mending their pace, and accumulating their force, as they went along ; completing what was emphatically termed - a terrible burst !

" When his hounds came to a check, every encourage- ment was given them to recover the scent, without the huntsman getting amongst them, or the whippers-in driving them about, which is the common practice of most packs. The hounds were halloo'd back to the place where they brought the scent, and encouraged to

178 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

The System of the

try round in their own way, which they generally did successfully ; avoiding the time lost in the mistaken practice of casting the hounds at the heels of the hunts- man.

" When the hounds were cast, it was in two or three different lots, by Mr. Meynell, his huntsman, and whip- per-in ; and not driven together in a body like a flock of sheep. They were allowed to spread and use their own sagacity, at a very gentle pace ; and not hurried about in a blustering manner, but patiently.

" It was Mr. Meynell's opinion, that a great noise, and scolding of hounds, made them wild : correcting them in a quiet way was the most judicious method.

" Wliippers-in should turn hounds quietly ; and not call after them in a noisy, disagreeable manner.

" When hounds are going to the cry, they should be encouraged in a pleasant way : not driven and rated, as if discord was a necessary ingredient in the sport and music of a fine cry of hounds. Whippers-in are too apt to think their own importance and consequence consists in shouting, hallooing, and unnecessary activity. When hounds can hear the cry, they get together sooner than any whipper-in can drive them. If any hound is con- ceited, and disinclined to go to the cry, he should be immediately drafted.

" Should there be only one fox in cover, and two or three hounds get away with him whilst the body of the pack are hunting the line behind, some judicious sports- man should ride to them, and view halloo for the rest of the pack to join them. It is the most certain way to ensure the run, and the hounds will very speedily get

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 179

celebrated Hugo Meynell, Esq.

together, when properly treated. If there are many foxes in cover, and one should go away, and the hounds are running m various parts, you may, if a favourable opportunity presents itself, try to halloo the pack away ; but do not attempt it without such favourable circum- stance, as a good rummaging in cover will do the hounds service. When a fox dwells in cover, and will not go away, the best plan is to leave him, and not kill him ; another day he may afford a good run.

*' Blood ivas a thing Mr. Meynell was more indifferent about than most owners of hounds. The wildest packs of hounds were known to kill the most foxes in cover, but very seldom shewed good runs over a country.

" Hounds chopping foxes in cover, is more a vice than a proof of their being good cover hounds. Murdering foxes is a most absurd prodigality. Seasoned foxes are as necessary to sport as experienced hounds.

" To obtain a good run, your hounds should not only have good abilities, but they should be experienced, and well acquainted with each other. To gviide a scent well over a country for a length of time, and through all the difficulties usually encountered, requires the best and most experienced abihties : a faulty hound, or injudicious rider, by one improper step, may defeat the most pro- mising run.

" Gentlemen, and every person who makes hunting his pursuit, should learn to ride judiciously to hounds ; it is a contemplative amusement, and much good diver- sion might be promoted by a few regular precautions. The principal thing to attend to is, not to ride too near the hounds, and always as much as possible anticipate a

180 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Mr. Meynell's System.

check ; by which means, the leading men will pull their horses up in time, and afford the hounds fair oppor- tunity to keep the line of scent unbroken : sheep, cattle, teams at plough, and arable land, are all causes of checks, -ffif Thoughtless sportsmen are apt to press too much on hounds, particularly down a road. Every one should consider, that every check operates against the hounds, and that scent is of a fleeting nature - soon lost - never again to be recovered.

" Mr. Meynell's hounds had more good runs than any pack of his day : two very extraordinary ones happened of a very rare description : - one was a run of one hour and twenty minutes, without a check, and killed their fox : the other was two hours and fifty minutes, without a cast, and killed. The hounds, in the first run, kept well together, and only two horses performed it ; the rest of the field were unequal to its fleetness : the other run alluded to was performed by the whole of the pack ; and though all were up at the death, two or three slack- ened in their pace just at the last : one horse only went the whole of it.

*' Mr. Meynell's natural taste led him to admire large hounds ; but, his experience convinced him that small ones were generally the stoutest, soundest, and in every respect the most executive.

"Various are the attentions necessary to manage a pack of hounds, and quite sufficient to engage the occu- pation of an active man's mind. Should the master of the hounds have other important concerns to call his attention off, sensible and confidential agents and servants should be chosen in every department.

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 181

The Subject of Blood considered.

" Fox-hunting is manly and fine exercise, aftbrding health to the body, and food for a contemplative mind ; in no situation are the faculties of man more displayed. Fortitude, good sense, and collectiveness of mind, have a wide field for exercise ; and a sensible sportsman would be a respectable character in any situation of life.

" The field is a most agreeable coffee-house, and there is more real society to be met with there than in any other situation of life : it links all classes together, from the peer to the peasant - it is the Englishman's pecuhar privilege - it is not to be found in any other part of the globe, but in England's true land of liberty - and may it flourish to the end of time ! "

But to return - I have already stated that an opinion is generally entertained that blood is indispensable to a pack of fox hounds. - If we reason by analogy on the subject, we shall find that the stag hound is seldom al- lowed to taste blood, and yet he continues to pursue the chase with the utmost ardour ; the same remark will in some degree apply to the harrier, though not to the same extent ; the greyhound pursues the hare with headlong impetuosity, though he is never allowed to share the prize when he has obtained it ; but, if we extend this reasoning to the pointer, the setter, and the spaniel, we shall find that they are cautiously prevented from ever tasting blood - they are taught indeed never to expect it, and yet this certainly has not the effect of slackening their mettle, or rendei'ing them less eager in the pursuit. Even amongst fox hounds there are individuals to be foimd not inclined to devour the fox ; and I have seen excellent fox hounds, which, though tliey ran tlie fox in

182 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Considerations on the Necessity of

tlie most gallant and determined manner imaginable, Avould, nevertheless, refuse to eat him, nor indeed could they ever be induced to swallow a morsel ! Young fox hounds frequently testify no great desire to eat the fox, though they may run into him with the utmost fury ; nor, in fact, would a fox, one hour after his death, be very eagerly devoured by old hoimds, accustomed to blood - they would perhaps refuse him altogether. Fox hounds are maddened with the pursuit - they are worked up to a pitch of fury ; and unless the fox is devoured before their anger is allowed to cool, they would, in all proba- bility, feel but little disposed for such a repast.

Hence it might appear that the capture, and not the blood, of the object of pursuit is the main stimulus to that extraordinary exertion which we frequently see dis- played by hounds ; and that perhaps if fox hounds were left intirely to themselves, and had never been encouraged to devour their game, it is doubtful whether many of them ( if not the whole pack) would not be satisfied with killing him. I am aware that this would not be the case with stag hounds or harriers ; but it must be recollected that a fox is not a very enticing delicacy, like a deer or a hare, and can only be rendered a tempting morsel under an extraordinary degree of excitement - under, in fact, the circumstances which generally precede and attend his death.

In support of this hypothesis, it may be further ob- served, that a pointer or any of those dogs that are used in the pursuit of winged game, however excellent they may previously have been, soon become vmeasy, unruly, and ultimately good for nothing, unless a reasonable

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 183

Blood to a Pack of Fox Hounds.

quantity of game be killed to them : - for instance, a pointer, which, in the hands of a good shot, is a capital dog, and performs his work in the best possible style, will soon manifest uneasiness and disappointment, if he happen to be taken out by an indifferent or bad marks- man: if tlie game fall not before him, he soon loses the inclination to pursue it, at least in a proper manner : and hence it would clearly appear that the capture of the ob- ject of pursuit is necessary to the excellence of the dog, though blood is by no means indispensable, since he ea- gerly pursues that which he can never expect to taste. Similar remarks are applicable to the greyhound ; and harriers, I am inclined to think, which seldom reach the game, will never be remarkable for their excellence. - The dog feels an indescribable pleasure in the gratifica- tion of his master - to accomplish this he exerts his powers to the utmost, and when he is conscious of having accomplished it, he may be fairly supposed to be satis- fied.

Fox hunters, however, in general, will have some dif- ficulty in reconciUng themselves to the idea of blood not being essential to a pack of fox hounds ; yet, from what has been stated, it is reasonable to conclude, that, though the death of the fox may be indispensable to the excel- lence of the hounds, devouring him afterwards is a cir- cinnstance not absolutely called for, and no further ne- cessary than merely giving a better and more complete finish to the business than could be otherwise accom- plished.

There is a decree of interest and animation about fox

184 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Enthusiasm of a Fox Chase.

hunting which fox hunters only can well understand, and upon which Somervile thus expresses himself: -

" Huntsman, prepare ! Ere yet the morning peep,

Or stars retire from the first blush of day,

With thy far-echoing voice alarm thy pack.

And rouse thy bold compeers. Then to the copse,

Thiek with entangling grass, or prickly furze,

With silence, lead thy many-coloured hounds,

In all their beauty's pride. See ! how they range,

Dispers'd, how busily this way. and that,

They cross, examining with curious nose

Each likely haunt. Hark ! on the drag I hear

Their doubtful notes, preluding to a cry

More nobly full and swell'd with every mouth.

As straggling armies, at the trumpet's voice,

Press to their standard, hither all repair,

And hurry through the woods; with hasty step

Rustling, and full of hope ; now driven on heaps

They push, they strive ; while from his kennel sneaks

The conscious villain. See ! he skulks along.

Sleek at the shepherd's cost, and plump with meals

Puiloin'd : so thrive the wicked here below.

Though high his brush he bear, though tipt with white

It gaily shine ; yet ere the sun declin'd

Recal the shades of night, the pamper'd rogue

Shall rue his fate revers'd ; and at his heels

Behold the just avenger, swift to seize

His forfeit head, and thirsting for his blood.

Heavens! what melodious strains ! how beat our hearts , Big with tumultuous joy ! the loaded gales Breathe harmony ; and as the tempest drives From wood to wood, through every dark recess The forest thunders, and the mountains shake. The chorus swells ; less various, and less sweet, The thrilling notes, when in those very groves, The feather'd choristers salute the spring. And every bush in concert joins ; or when

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 185

The Fox Chase.

The master's band, in modulated air, Bids the loud organ breathe, and all the powers Of music in one instrument combine. An universal minstrelsy. And now In vain each earth he tries, the doors are barr'd Impregnable, nor is the covert safe ; He pants for purer air ! Hark ! what loud shouts Re-echo tlirough the groves ! he breaks away. Shrill boms proclaim his flight. Each straggling hound Strains o'er tbc lawn to reach the distant pack. 'Tis triumph all and joy. Now, my brave youths, Now give a loose to the clean generous steed ; Flourish the whip, nor spare the galling spur ; But, in the madness of delight, forget Your fears. Far o'er the rocky hills we range, And dangerous our course; but in the brave True courage never fails. In vain the stream In foaming eddies whirls ; in vain the ditch Wide gaping threatens death. The craggy steep, Where the poor dizzy shepherd crawls with care, And clings to every twig, gives us no pain ; But down we sweep, as stoops the fakon bold To pounce his prey. Then up th' opponent hill. By the swift motion flung, we mount aloft. What lengths we pass ! where will the wandering chase Lead us bewildered ! smooth as swallows skim The new-shorn mead, and far more swift, we fly. See my brave pack ; how to the head they press, Jostling in close array, then more diffuse Obliquely wheel, while from their opening mouths The voUied tli under breaks. Now far behind The hunter crew, wide-straggling o'er the plain ! The panting courser now with trembling nerves Begins to reel ; urg'd by the goring spur, Makes many a faint effort: he snorts, he foams. The big round drops run trickling down his sides, With sweat and blood distain'd. Look back and view The strange confusion of the vale below, M

186 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

The Fox Chase.

Where sour vexation reigns; see }'on poor jade,

In vain th' impatient rider frets and swears ;

With galling spurs harrovps his mangled sides ;

He can no more : his stiff unpliant limbs

Rooted in earth, unmov'd and fix'd he stands,

For every cruel curse returns a groan,

And sobs, and faints, and dies.

While these, with loosen'd reins and dangling heels,

Hang on their reeling palfreys, that scarce bear

Their weights : another in the treacherous bog

T/ies floundering, half ingulf 'd. What biting thoughts

Torment th' abandon'd crew ! Old age laments

His vigour spent : the tall, plump, brawny youth

Curses his cumberous bulk ; and envies now

The short pygmaean race, he whilom kenn'd

With pi'oud insulting leer. A chosen few

Alone the sport enjoy, nor droop beneath

Their pleasing toils. Here, huntsman, from this height

Observe yon birds of prey : if I can judge,

'Tis there the villain lurks : they hover round

And claim him as their own. Was I not right?

See ! there he creeps along ; his brush he drags,

And sweeps the mire impure; from his wide jaws

His tongue unmoisten'd hangs ; symptoms too sure

Of sudden death. Ha ! yet he flies, nor yields

To black despair. But one loose more, and all

His wiles are vain. Hark ! through yon village now

The rattling clamour rings. The barns, the cots,

And leafless elms return the joyous sounds.

Through every homestall, and through every yard.

His midnight walks, panting, forlorn, he flies ;

Through every hole he sneaks, through every jakes

Plunging he wades besmear'd, and fondly hopes

In a superior stench to lose his own :

But, faithful to the track, th' unerring hounds

With peals of echoing vengeance close pursue.

And now distress'd, no sheltering covert near,

Into tlie hen roost crpcj>s, whose walls witli gore

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 187

The Huntsman should draw up the Wind.

Distain'd attest his guilt. There, villain, there Expect thy fate deserv'd. And soon from thence The pack inquisitive, with clamour loud, Drag out their trembling prize ; and on his blood With greedy transport feast." - Somervile.

I agree with Beckford that the huntsman should, generally speaking, draw quietly, and up the wind : the following are his observations on the subject: - "With regard to drawing quietly, that may depend on the kind of cover which he is drawing, and also on the season of the year. If your covers are small, or such from which a fox cannot break unseen, then noise can do no hurt ; if you draw at a late hour, and when there is no drag, then the more the cover is disturbed the better ; the more likely you are to find. Late in the season, the foxes are generally wild, particularly in covers that are often hunted. If you do not draw quietly, he will get off a long way before you : when you have any suspicion of this, send on a whipper-in to the opposite side of the cover, before you throw in your hounds. With regard to the drawing up the wind, that is much more material. You never fail to give the wind to a pointer or a setter - why not to a hound ? - Besides the fox, if you draw up the wind, does not hear you coming ; and your hounds, by this means, are never out of your hearing ; moreover, if he turns down the wind, as most probably he will, it lets them all in."

Speaking of gentlemen who ride after hounds, the same writer observes, that few of them are sportsmen. " Few gentlemen, (says he) will take any pains, few of them will stop a hound, though he should run riot close

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188 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

01 Riding to Hounds.

by the side of them, or will place themselves for a mo- ment, though it be to halloo a fox ; it is true, they will not fail to halloo if he comes in their way, and they will do the same to as many foxes as they see. Some will encourage hounds which they do not know ; it is a great fault : were every gentleman who follows hounds to fancy himself a huntsman, what noise, what confusion, would ensue ! I consider many of them as gentlemen riding out, knd I am never so well pleased as when I see them riding home again. You may perhaps have thought that I wished them all to be huntsmen. Most certainly not ; but the more assistance a huntsman has, the better, in all probability, his hounds will be. Good sense, and a little observation, will soon prevent such people from doing amiss ; and I hold it as almost an invariable rule in hunting, that those who do not know how to do good, are always liable to do harm : there is scarcely an instant during the whole chase, when a sportsman ought not to be in one particular place : and I will venture to say, that if he is not tliere^ he might as well be in his bed." Not- withstanding the above assertion that the more assistance a huntsman receives the better, I am of opinion that the huntsman should be as little interfered with as possible. I have generally observed, that those gentlemen who are the most busy and forward in giving advice seldom un- derstand the business sufficiently, to render it acceptable or pleasing. Nothing can be more obvious than the situation in which gentlemen should place themselves during the run, as no person but the huntsman and his assistants should be within a certain space of the hounds : it is true, when the scent is good, those who are not well

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 189

Of Hounds running well up to their Vox.

mounted, will not easily keep their proper places with modern fox hoimds ; yet, by falling behind, they only lose the delight of the chase, and cannot possibly do any injury to the hunting of the hounds. However, it very frequently happens, when a fox is viewed away, that impetuous and thoughtless sportsmen are apt to ride after him instead of following the hounds : nothing can be more vexatious to a good sportsman than to see the scent thus ridden over, the hounds prevented from settling to it, and the run frequently spoiled. On bad scenting days, fonvard sportsmen are a great plague to the huntsman, and are highly detrimental to the sport by riding too close upon and pressing the hounds. When the scent is good, and the hounds have got fairly away, there is little or nothing to fear from the sportsmen just alluded to, as it is then seldom in their power to do any serious mischief.

If the scent is good, hounds cannot well be pressed on too much ; but this is the huntsman's duty, and not the business of the gentlemen who follow the hounds. If hounds can run well up to their fox at the commence- ment or in the early part of the chase, there is every reason to anticipate a satisfactory conclusion ; but if the fox is suffered to get far a-head, he will regulate his pace, according to circumstances, and will most likely beat the hounds. A fox should, if possible, be blown at first, when his death is almost sure to follow. A fox, no doubt, like the hounds, after some time, gets second wind, when his pace becomes well regulated and steady ; if, at this period, he be far before the hounds, the business

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190 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

style of Fox Hounds running.

will be much protracted, and will most likely end in the loss of the fox.

If, however, hounds should be pressed when the scent is good, they should not be hurried when it is bad. "Most fox-hunters wish to see their hounds run in a good style. I confess I am myself one of those. I hate to see a string of them, nor can I bear to see them creep where they can leap. It is the dash of the fox hound which distinguishes Mm as truly as the motto of William of Wickham distinguishes us. A pack of harriers, if they have time, will kill a fox ; but I defy them to kill him in the style in which a fox ought to be killed ; they must hunt him down. If you are to tire him out, you must expect to be tired yourself also : I never wish a chase to be less than one hour, or to exceed two : it is suffi- ciently long, if properly followed." Hounds, after five or six seasons running, frequently do more harm than good : too many old hounds should not be kept, if the pack are expected to run well together ; and every hound that is off the scent, or behind the rest, should not fail to come to a halloo.

Changing foxes is a very unpleasant occurrence ; nor is it possible always to guard against it. " Could a fox hound (says Beckford) distinguish a hunted fox, as the deer hound does the deer that is blown, fox-hunting would then be perfect." On this subject Beckford does not seem to be well infomied : he does not seem to be aware that this distinction arises rather fi-om the capacity of the hound than the scent of the objects of pursuit ; since there is every reason to believe that the scent of the fox is stronger and more obvious than that of the

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 191

Of the Olfactory Organs of the Fox Hound.

deer. The deer hounds formerly in use were nearly alhed to the old Talbot ; the}' possessed exquisite olfac- tory organs, and were thus enabled to distinguish and pursue the very scent upon which they were first laid ; but some of the modern deer hounds, those of the Earl of Derby, for instance, would not be able to do it, as they have not the requisite capacity - they are high-bred fleet hounds, (fox hounds in appearance) and could no more distinguish the hunted deer, were another to cross them, than the fox hound is able to recognize the scent of a fresh fox : while it may be justly observed, that if the fox hound possessed similar olfactory organs to those which distinguished the stag hound of old, he would be able to distinguish a fresh fox from the hunted fox. Could the olfactory organs of the Talbot, or something like them, be united with the speed of the modern fox hoimd, fox-hunting, to use the words of Beckford, " would then be perfect."

When hounds come to a check, there should be as little noise as possible. At this time whippers-in are frequently coming on with the tail hounds. Tliey should never halloo to them when the liounds are at fault ; the least thing is injurious at such a time ; but a halloo more than any other. When hounds come to a check, gen- tlemen should stop their horses some distance behind ; they should be careful not to ride over the scent, nor should they ever meet a hound in the face, unless with a design to stop hun. If a gentleman at any time happen to be before the hounds, he should turn his horse's head the way they are going, get out of the way, and let them pass. In dry weather foxes will sometimes run the roads :

192 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Of Fox Hoiincis coining to a Fault.

if gentlemen, at such a time, ride close upon the hounds, they may drive them miles without any scent ; as fox hounds are seldom inclined to stop whilst horses are close upon them.

The first moment hoinids come to a fault is a critical one. Gentlemen should then be very attentive. Those who look forward may possibly see the fox ; or the move- ments of crows, magpies, or sheep may afford some tidings of him. A halloo may be heard, and nothing that can give any intelhgence at such a time as this, should be neglected : but caution is requisite in going to a halloo. " The halloo itself must in a great measure direct you ; and though it affords no certain rule, you may frequently guess by it, whether it is to be depended on or not. At the sowing time, when boys are bird keeping, if you are not very much on your guard, their halloo will sometimes deceive you. It is best, when you are in doubt, to send on a whipper-in to know ; the worst then that can befal you is the loss of a little time; whereas, if you gallop away with the hounds to the halloo, and are obliged to return, it is a chance if they try for the scent afterwards : on the other hand, if you are certain of the halloo, and intend going to it, then the sooner you get to it the better. Huntsmen who are slow at getting to a halloo are void of common sense. They frequently commit ailbther fault by being in too great a hurry when they get there. It is hardly credible how much our eagerness is apt, at such a time, to mislead our judgment : for instance, when we get to the halloo, the first questions are naturally enough - Did you see the fox ? - which way did he go ? The man points with

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 193

Of Halloos and Tired Foxes.

his finger perhaps, and then away you all ride as fast as you can ; and in such a hurry, that not one will stay to hear the answer which you were all so desirous of knowing : the general consequence of which is, you mistake the place, and are obliged to return to the man for better information. Depend upon it the less hurry you are in on this occasion, the less time you lose ; and wherever the fox was seen for a certainty, whether near or distant, that will not only be the surest, but also the best, place to take the scent.

" Once a man hallooed us back a mile (says Beckford) only to tell us that we were right before ; and we lost the fox by it."

Hounds ought not to be cast as long as they are able to hunt ; and though it is a good maxim for a fox-himter to suppose that a hunted fox never stops, that he may be active and lose no time, yet tired foxes must stop somewhere ; and I once recollect observing one lying on a dunghill, in a farm yard, amongst the pigs. He had been run for more than one hour and a half, and the hounds came in full cry up to a farm yard, when they could no longer make out the scent. A gentleman posi- tively declared that he saw the fox go through the stack yard and make off, and was anxious that the huntsman should proceed in that direction : the latter, however, appeared very doubtful of the correctness of this infor- mation, and after casting his hounds round the buildings, became convinced that renard had not gone forward. On examining the farm yard, he was found to have placed himself in the midst of the pigs on the dunghill, where he lay completely exhausted. A tired fox ought

194 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Of Cold Hunting, coming to a Check, &c.

not easily to be given up, since he has been known some- times to lie down in cart ruts, and to get up very unex- pectedly in the midst of the hounds.

When hounds are at cold hunting with a bad scent, a whipper-in may be sent forward : if he can see the fox, a little mobbing, as Beckford says, at such a time as this, may be reasonably allowed. When hounds come to a check on a high road, by the fox being headed back, if, in that case the hounds are suffered to try back, it gives them the best chance of hitting off the scent again.

When hounds are running in cover, the sportsmen should be as quiet as possible. If renard be near his end - if he be running short, and the hounds are catching at him, not a word should be spoken : this is a difficult time for hounds, as the fox is continually turning, and will sometimes lie down, and let them pass him. A fox is more likely to be lost, when first found, and when he is sinking, than at any other period : at these times, he will frequently run short, and the eagerness of the hounds is apt to carry them beyond the scent.

In regard to halloos, it may be observed that those who have good voices are too apt to use them. When a fox is hallooed, those who understand the business, and get forward, may halloo him again ; yet they should recollect that, if the hounds go the contrary way, and do not seem to come on upon the line of him, to halloo no more, as it is tolerably evident he has not seen the hunted fox, though most persons are willing to persuade them- selves that whatever fox they see must be the hunted fox and no other. Halloos of encouragement to the leading liounds, if injudiciously given, are highly injurious; hut

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 195

Hounds should not be too much used to Halloos.

such halloos as get on the tail hounds, or serve to keep the hounds together, are always useful. View halloos are prejudicial - in a strong cover, full of foxes, for instance - if, under such circumstances, view halloos are frequently given, hounds will not take the requisite trouble in hunting.

While hounds are running with a good scent, they should never be taken off to go to a halloo ; but, under other circumstances, when the fox, for instance, is a great distance ahead, such a step may be very advisable. When the fox persists in running his foil, the tail hounds may be thrown in at head ; as such foxes are difficult to kill ; and it frequently happens that, the longer you hunt after such foxes, the further you are behind them. Such a manoeuvre will most likely put renard out of his pace, or off his foil ; and whenever it is resorted to, the whipper-in should stop the pack from hunting after, and get forward with them to the huntsman.

If hounds, however, are often used to halloos, they will expect them, and may trust to their ears and eyes in preference to their noses. If they are often taken from the scent, it teaches them to shuffle, and will probably make them slack in cover : halloos, therefore, should be used with due circumspection, and never employed vmnecessarily. Whilst hounds can get well on with the scent, it is not advisable to take them off from it ; but when they are stopped for want of it, in such case it cannot be wrong to assist them as much as possible.

Hounds should not be suffered to hunt after other hounds that are gone on with the scent, since they are not likely to get up with a worse scent. Besides, it makes

196 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Of Fox Hounds being left to themselves.

them tie on the scent, to run dog, and destroys that most essential quality in the fox hoimd, an eagerness to get forward. If the head hounds happen to get away from the huntsman, he should sink the wind with the rest of the pack, in order to reach the leading hounds as soon as possible : when, however, a single hound is gone on with the scent, it is best to send forward a whipper-in to stop him ; were the pack to be taken off the scent to get to him, and he should no longer have any scent when they reach him, it is very hkely the fox would be lost by it. Skirting is a bad quality either in men or dogs. Those sportsmen who skirt to save their horses or themselves, are very liable to head the fox. " I cannot (says Beck- ford) subscribe to the doctrine that a pack of fox hounds, if left to themselves, would never lose a fox ;" yet it is probable that if fox hounds were left to themselves, they would miss few foxes. There are, in every pack, line himting hounds that will not come on but with the scent - they perseveringly proceed on the line of the fox ; the brilliant running hounds are perfectly aware of this cir- cumstance, as when their impetuosity has hurried them beyond the scent, they lean as naturally as possible to the line hunting hounds, and thus recover it. If, how- ever, foxes would seldom be missed by hounds, if left to themselves, the run would generally be tedious, and the foxes would be killed in a style inconsistent with the spu'it of the diversion. When the scent is good, fox hounds require but little assistance from the huntsman, nor are the most eager horsemen able to accomplish much mischief; but when the atmosphere is unfavour- able, hounds, by imprudent sportsmen, are often hurried

HUNTING DIRECTORY. 197

Change of Country injurious to Hounds.

beyond the scent ; while the steam, issuing in vokimes from the horses, mixed with the hounds, must be highly prejudicial to the sport.

If covers are much disturbed, foxes will be in a state of alarm, and will break as soon as they hear a hound, and sometimes before. Such foxes seldom return ; and if you can get well away with one, a good run will most likely follow. On such occasions a whipper-in should be posted to halloo one away, upon which the hoimds should be immediately laid.

Hounds should be as little used to change of country as possible. Should they change from a good scenting country to a bad one, they will most likely be some time without killing a fox. Hounds have a decided advantage in a country with which they are familiar : they know where to find their game ; and they will pursue more eagerly when it is found.

Beckford says, " no good country should be hunted after February ; nor should there be any hunting at all after March. Spring hunting is sad destruction of foxes : in one week you may destroy as many as would have shewn you sport during a whole season. We killed a bitch fox one morning, with seven young ones, which were all alive : I can assure you we missed them very much the next year, and had many blank days, which we need not have had, but through our own fault. If you should hunt late in the season, you should at least leave your terriers behind you." Fox-hunting, however, is seldom given up till the middle or latter end of Ajn-il, and in some places it is customary to kill a May fox. With regard to the bitch fox just mentioned, had she

198 HUNTING DIRECTORY.

Injurious Consequences of late Hunting.

been killed at an early period of the season, it would have produced precisely the same effect, though the mischief would have been less obvious. When bitch foxes are heavy (in a state of gestation) they are very ill calculated to stand up b