14 THOUGHTS ON HUNTING 



fallows, where the feet of the game we pursue, being 

 clogged, leave little scent behind ; as well as over 

 stony roads, through watery meads, and where sheep 

 have stained the ground. 



Cleanliness is not only absolutely necessary to the 

 nose of the hound, but also to the preservation of his 

 health. Dogs are naturally cleanly animals ; they 

 seldom, when they can help it, dung where they lie : 

 air, and fresh straw, are necessary to keep them 

 healthy. They are subject to the mange ; a disorder 

 to which poverty and nastiness will very much con- 

 tribute. This, though easily stopped at its first 

 appearance, if suffered to continue long, may lessen 

 the powers of the animal; and the remedies which are 

 then to be used, being in themselves violent, must 

 injure his constitution. It had better be prevented : 

 let the kennel, therefore, be an object of your particular 

 care. 



Upon some little eminence erect, 



And fronting to the ruddy dawn ; its courts 



On either hand wide opening to receive 



The sun's all-cheering beams, when mild he shines, 



And gilds the mountain tops. 



Let such as Somerville directs be the situation : its 

 size must be suited to the number of its inhabitants : 

 the architecture of it may be conformable to your own 

 taste. Useless expense I should not recommend; yet, 

 as I suppose you will often make it a visit, at least in 

 the hunting season, I could wish it might have neat- 

 ness without, as well as cleanliness within, the more to 

 allure you to it. I should, for the same reason, wish 

 it to be as near to your house as you will give it leave. 



