MODERN FARRIER. 547 



Hares seldom run so well as when tliey do not 

 know where they are. They run well in a fog, and 

 generally take a good country. If they set off down 

 the wind, they seldom return ; you then cannot 

 push on your hounds too much. When the game 

 is sinking, you will perceive your old hounds get 

 forward ; they then will run at head. 



' Happy the man, who with unrlvall'd speed 

 Can pass his fellows, and with pleasure view 

 The struggling pack ; how in the rapid course 

 Alternate they preside, and jostling push 

 To guide the dubious scent ; how giddy youth 

 Oft babbling errs, by wiser age reprov'd : 

 How, niggard of his strength, the wise old hound 

 Hangs in the rear, 'till some important point 

 Rouse all his diligence, or till the chase 

 Sinking he finds ; then to the head he springs. 

 With thirst of glory fir'd, and wins the prize.' 



Keep no babblers ; for though the rest of the pack 

 soon find them out, and do not mind them, yet is is 

 unpleasant to hear their noise ; nor are such fit com- 

 panions for the rest. 



Keep no hovmd that runs false : the loss of one 

 hare is more than such a dog is worth. It is but 

 reasonable to give the hounds a hare sometimes. 

 JMr. Beckford always gave the last they killed, if he 

 thought they deserved her. 



It is too much the custom first to ride over a dog, 

 and then cry ware horse. Take care not to ride 

 over your hounds ; many a good dog has been 

 spoiled by it. In open ground speak to them first ; 

 you may afterwards ride over them if you please ; 

 but in roads and paths they frequently cannot get 

 out of your way ; it surely then is your business 

 either to stop your horse or break the way for them, 

 and the not doing it is absurd and cruel ; nor can 

 that man be called a good sportsman, who thus 

 wantonly destroys his own sport. Indeed, good 

 sportsmen seldom ride on the line of the tail hounds. 



