FOX-HUNTING.
The following are the items of expenses, laid down by Colonel Cooke, in his "Observations on Fox-hunting," published a few years since. The calculation supposes a four-times-a-week country; but it is generally below the mark; we should say, at least one-half:—
Fourteen horses ................................. £700
Hounds' food, for fifty couples .................. 275
Firing ............................................ 50
Taxes ............................................ 120
Two whippers-in, and feeder ...................... 210
Earth stopping .................................... 80
Saddlery ......................................... 100
Farriery, shoeing, and medicine .................. 100
Young hounds purchased, and expenses at walks..... 100
Casualties ....................................... 200
Huntsman's wages and his horses .................. 300
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£2235
Of course, countries vary much in expense from local circumstance; such as the necessity for change of kennels, hounds sleeping out, &c.&c. In those which are called hollow countries, consequently abounding in earths, the expense of earth-stopping often amounts to 200l. per annum, and Northamptonshire is of this class. In others, a great part of the foxes are what is termed stub-bred (bred above ground), which circumstance reduces the amount of this item.—Quarterly Review.