Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-08-30
SPORT IN ENGLAND.
HOW FOX HUNTING is CONDUCTED
BY OUR BRITISH COUSINS.

BY OUR BRITISH COUSINS.
The Hounds and Their fedigrees-A Hunt
er's Nerve-The Early Seasonal Boys
Mistake - Several Good Stories = The
Hunting Parson."
Coursing with the greyhound and hunt
ing the hare with barriers is kindred
enjoyment, but of more selfish nature,
as they lack-the first named altogether
the presence Of that necessary and
charming element, the ladies'.
1t may not be out Of place to give some
minor particulars in connection with the
sport In question not generally known.
To begin, then. the pedigree of each hound
1T Is exceedingly improper to say dog
lis kept as carefully as that of a race
horse. and although TO an Impractical eye
all the packs look MS much alike as peas,
yet the huntsman and "whips" not
the master-know each by name and
sight. and could, perhaps, tell the pedi-
gree of either without reference. While
talking once with huntsman in his house
adjoining the kennels was surprised that
he could instantly detect a quarrelsome
member by his growl, which would be
quickly silenced by naming and threaten
ing the offender. Hounds after the hunt
ing season are fed but once q day; when
they have a lively gorge" from troughs,
the only meat being boiled up with bis
cults. of which the meal largely consists.
They answer quickly to the call Of their
names at feeding time by the huntsman st
the kennel door, and when they appear, in
his judgment. to have had sufficient, they
are named to retire from the banquet, but
often with let me stay bit longer look.
The pack, too, is exercised several times
daily, and is not dangerous to strangers
in the open field, but should you appear
in an inclosure the spotted beauties" i'm
mediately give tongue. whereupon q wise
person would make himself conspicuous
by his absence.
A GOOD HUNTERS NERVE
A good hunter requires nerve, a good
''seat" and a trusty steed. If the ap-
pointed meet is at the residence Of the
master or some other member of the
hunt, breakfast profuse with cham
payne only increases the feeling of eager
ness for the fray.
The busy haunts of man are left and
covers drawn till the welcome gone
away" succeeds the sure tongue of q
trusty hound and the sport begins in ear
nest. remember when boy watching
a draw" from hill, when Reynard, un-
observed by any one but my noble self,
broke cover and passed by me; not realiz-
ing the Importance of calling on the pur
suers. | stood there with all the dignity
of the boy on the burning deck, with the
proud satisfaction that sooner or later the
whole hunt" must pass in review before
me. This occurred few minutes later
when the huntsman, being told in reply
to an inquiry that | had seen the fox
pass, asked why l had not shouted. !
was lucky to be out of range of his whip.
Imagine the chagrin that must have filled
the hearts of the hunting fraternity of
Ireland when they were turned back by
The ruthless tenants, or of daring rider
listening to the music of the pack as they
pass his country domain, and who
Owing to his having had spill,
Is obliged TO be absent against his will
l have omitted to mention that the
early season is called cub hunting, when,
should son of the master be making his
huntsman the "indignity" of having the
gore of the first fox killed smeared over
his face, which Initiation" is called
"blooding." Of course there is no greater
pest of the poultry yard-if we except
perhaps the claims of the ''cullud indi-
vidual' to that ''distinction"-thant the
fox, and yet as an encouragement to small
farmers in some parts of England not to
destroy this nocturnal marauder, their
claims for lost poultry are paid once q
year. and willful destroyer of these ami
mails is looked upon by the hunt with
much contempt and his property dom,
If ever, tried
SEVERAL GOOD STORIES.
So many excellent stories of Rewards
cunning have been recorded-the authen-
ticity of which ! do not doubt-that it
would be superfuous to add to them
here, but may say that have known in
stances of ''long brush" after a fox
which resulted in no brush" the caudal
appendage having been omitted by nature
less opponent of the chase, into whose
hands Reynard had at some time fallen
much to the disgust of the first = at the
death. who would have to be content with
some other limb as trophy" of the oc-
casion.
A country hind" is said to have been
interrogated by huntsman with the fol
lowing result: "Seen the fox, boy?'
''Vox, what be er like, hddle brown
thing"
Huntsman-Yes, yes.
Boy-An' av' er got lddle sharp ears
and a long tails
Huntsman (impatiently)-Ofcourse you
know fox.
Boy-Oh, then amt seed iml
The following colloquy is also said to
have occurred between a aparson-opponent
Of hunting-and fox hunter:
Parson-Well, squire, I've called to ask
you If you will not give up your cruel
sport.
Cruel, do you call it?" replied the
squire; ION the contrary there isn't such
healthy and invigorating sport for man
under the sun; besides, the horses like it.
the hounds as well and (triumphantlyt
there isn't man who can say but what
the fox likes it.
The parson was dumfounded at this
not illogical answer.
The late Rev. Jack Russell, who bore
the sobriquet of 1.-THE hunting parson,
was notorious in England for many years
for the profound interest he took in the
noble sport. He was often known to ride
to church In hunting costume, change it
in the vestry and perform marriage GER
emony and then appear at the covert side
soon after. The prince of Wales took q
very friendly interest in him. In conclu-
sion the tonic has n finan, ial sayor ahont