HUNTERS. 317 



with fleet hounds, running breaft high, and 

 {icrofs a country^ nothing but horfes three 

 parts or thorough bred can ever lay by the 

 iide of thena. 



In addition alfo to this truth, let us en- 

 counter the full force of another notion 

 equally ridiculous, and well calculated for 

 thofe who hunt in theory, and enjoy the 

 chace upon paper-, of *' a blood horfe not 

 having bone and ftrength fufficient to cover 

 a deep and dirty country j'" when every 

 fportfman of experience, who has made the 

 trial impartially, wall join with mc in the 

 alTertion, that horfes of that defcription 

 abfolutely poiTefs the ftrength (in their great 

 power of aclion and pliability) to pafs over 

 fuch country, with very flight impreflion and 

 no great labour ; when it is a matter not to 

 be controverted, that a ftrong heavy horfe, 

 not only finks deep with his own weight at 

 every ftroke, but extricates himfelf with the 

 utmoft difficulty, leaving his rider in the 

 pleafing predicament of foon inquiring 

 *' which way the hounds are gone?'' with 

 the greater gratification of poffefi!ing a horfe 



of 



