When hounds are taken from the kennel, it is the place of the first whipper-in to go before, and of the second to come at some distance behind them. If permitted to follow too near, however great the necessity may be, the poor animals will never be allowed time to empty themselves; for these juvenile whippers-in, upon their initiation, conceive it their proper element to be always in a gallop, and incessantly whipping the hounds whenever they can get at them. The first whipper-in should be of light weight, great agility, quick conception, of much personal fortitude, and an excellent horseman. With these qualifications, he has it always in his power to exert and display his ability to advantage. While the huntsman slicks close to his headmost hounds, the whipper-in can give proof of his judgment in various ways: he can clap forward to any great earth that may be open; he may sink the wind, to view and halloo a fox when the scent fails, or keep him off his soil: he may avail himself of the first opportunity to stop the tail hounds, and get them forward; and he has it constantly in his power to assist the hounds, if he has penetration to discover where, and at what time, it is most wanted. The making and keeping a pack steady, depend entirely upon him; as it is not the province of a huntsman either to rate or flog a hound, if it can consistently be avoided.

During the chase, whenever it may be necessary to stop the hounds, the whipper-in should always be at their head before he begins to make the attempt. Rating behind can effect but little; and if they are running riot in covert, it may prevent him from knowing which are the aggressors. Whippers-in are frequently in the extreme, and continue rating long after they find that rating will not avail: a hound should never be struck, unless he is first made sensible what it is for: if they were a little less hasty, and more disposed to reflection, they would never strike a hound that did not deserve it, and would strike those hard who do. In fact, the experience of every additional season affords ample conviction, that a whipper-in seldom distinguishes sufficiently the degrees of offence which a dog may have committed, to proportion his punishment accordingly; and such is the prevalence of custom, that when only riding a hound, to turn him after the huntsman, he is rated (if not flogged) as severely as if he had been guilty of the greatest possible offence.

A whipper-in is generally so exceedingly pleased with his own powers of vociferation, that he is incessantly rating some one hound or another, and then as industriously endeavours to flog him; without asking himself the question, whether it is likely a hound thus rated will not naturally feel inclined to avoid the whip. It is certainly the most consistent, whenever a hound may deserve correction, to whip him first, and to rate him afterwards. The getting forward the tail hounds is a material and necessary part of the chase, in which a whipper-in, of energy and judgment, can always give proof of his ability. Where there are two whippers-in, the first is often justified in getting forward, when the huntsman, from accident, or unforeseen and unavoidable obstructions, may be prevented from being up with the hounds; but the second has no right whatever to be forward, so long as a single hound is known to have been left behind. Most huntsmen cast an eye of jaundiced jealousy at a whipper-in, particularly if his merits have attracted the attention of his employer; upon a presumption he may have a rival in his subordinate, who may, upon any indiscretion or disobedience of his own, have a fair chance of becoming his successor; a circumstance that sometimes a little cankers the basis of unanimity. After these accumulated remarks upon the personal qualifications and official efforts of a whipper-in, it may with truth be affirmed, if he is innately bold, active, and energetic; a prudent, careful, and steady horseman, with a quick ear, and clear voice; with attentive knowledge, and observation to distinguish where he can be the most useful; not possessing the simple conceit of killing a fox without the huntsman, but, on the contrary, feel disposed to assist him all he can; such a one may be considered completely perfect in his department, and will seldom or ever be long out of employment.

WHELPS

.—The produce of hounds during their first months are termed whelps; the young of other sporting dogs are in general called puppies. Those who are intent upon forming a hunting establishment, will, in laying the foundation, recollect, that hounds are very frequently to be purchased for considerably less money than they can be bred. The pack once obtained, breeding then becomes indispensibly necessary for the proper support of the stock, and the acquisition of superior excellence; by possessing the annual convenience of entering young, and rejecting old, till the body become perfectly complete. The business of breeding is considered so very material to the sporting reputation of the establishment, that, by amateurs and professed sportsmen, it is conducted with a systematic circumspection, and most judicious discrimination. Uniformity in size, shape, make, colour, speed, and constitution, are leading perfections, which should never be lost sight of. Mr. Beckford, who seems to have understood the chase much better than any writer that has ever promulgated an opinion upon the subject, has laid down some precautionary rules, from which the emulous and the prudent will seldom deviate.

In a well-regulated and extensive hunting establishment, no less than nine or ten couple of whelps should be annually bred to keep up a regular supply: the distemper sometimes making dreadful havoc amongst the whelps, as well as age and infirmities amongst the old hounds, if a proper number of recruits were not always ready, much mortifying disappointment might probably ensue. Whenever it can be so contrived, the whelps should appear between the second or third week in February, and the middle of the month of March; they have then nothing to encounter from the cold severity of the winter season, and the ensuing summer to bask, expand, and grow in. It is on all hands admitted injudicious to breed from hounds with palpable imperfections: weak hounds, babblers, skirters, slow, and tardy-tongued hounds, should always be rejected. An old dog should never be put to an old bitch; nor should either dog or bitch be in an unhealthy state, lest the offspring should be eventually affected.

WHISKEY

,—the name of a most excellent runner, whose recent performances on the turf laid the foundation of his present celebrity as a stallion of much promised reputation. He was bred by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales; foaled in 1780, and got by Saltram out of Calash, (who was got by Herod;) her dam (Teresa) by Matchem. In 1792, when three years old, in the July Meeting at Newmarket, he won a sweepstakes of 200 guineas, eight subscribers; and 50l. at Bedford. First October Meeting, a post sweepstakes of 1000 guineas each, three subscribers. The next day a subscription of 200 guineas each, eleven subscribers. Second October Meeting, a subscription of 20 guineas each, six subscribers. In the Houghton Meeting, he beat Sir F. Standish's Sir John across the flat, staking 150 to 100 guineas. In 1793 (then Mr. Durand's) he won the Jockey Stakes of 100 guineas each, half forfeit, twelve subscribers. The next Meeting he beat Halbert a match over the Beacon for 200 guineas. At Winchester he walked over the Course for a 50l. plate; and won a sweepstakes of 10 guineas each, six subscribers. He was then withdrawn from the turf, and announced as a stallion at five guineas a mare, and half a guinea the groom. Two of his get started at only two years, and were both winners. In 1799, Clarissa appeared, and at two years old won 150 guineas, and 120 guineas, at Brighton. Pamela, three years old, 50l. at Brocket Hall; 200 guineas at Epsom; and 50l. at Ipswich. In 1800, two others appeared, each two years old, both winners at Newmarket. In 1801, Eleanor started, and won 250 guineas, 700 guineas, and 200 guineas, at Newmarket; and the Derby and Oaks Stakes, both at Epsom, amounting to 1475 guineas. Julia won the July Stakes, 40 guineas, and 450 guineas, at Newmarket; and Whiskerandos won three prizes at Newmarket, Brighton, and Egham. In 1802, Whirligig won seven prizes; Julia, six; Eleanor, three; Gig, two; and Orlando, 100 guineas, at Newmarket. Under the increasing merits of which progeny, his price as a stallion is advanced to double the original sum; standing announced to cover for 10 guineas a mare the present season, 1803, at Great Barton, near Bury St. Edmund's.

WHITE-FOOTED HORSE

—is always considered an indication of future weakness in the feet; such horses, in general, having hoofs which become soon brittle and battered; or an outer sole so thin at the bottom, that it compulsively submits to the propulsive force of the membranous mass within, and soon forms a preternatural prominence upon the surface, rendering the foot not only weak, but exceedingly difficult to shoe, without pressing upon the part requiring to be protected.