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
-----
£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 200_l_. 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._
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