PLAN OF THE KENNEL 15 



I know there are many objections to its being very- 

 near : I foresee still more to its being at a distance. 

 There is a vulgar saying, that it is the master's eye 

 that makes the horse fat : I can assure you, that it is 

 even more necessary in the kennel, where cleanliness 

 is not less essential than food. 



There are, I make no doubt, many better kennels 

 than mine ; some of which you should see before you 

 begin to build. You can but make use of my plan, 

 in case that you like no other better. If, in the 

 meantime, I am to give you my opinion what a 

 kennel ought to be, I must send you a description 

 of my own, for I have not seen many others. 



I would advise you to make it large enough at 

 first, as any addition afterwards must spoil the ap- 

 pearance of it. I have been obliged to add to 

 mine, which was built from a plan of my own, and 

 intended, at first, for a pack of beagles. My 

 feeding -yard being too small, I will endeavour to 

 remedy that defect in the plan I send you, which 

 plan may be still enlarged, or lessened, as you think 

 fit, or as your occasions may require. The feeding- 

 troughs should be wide at the bottom, and must 

 have wooden covers. 



I think two kennels absolutely necessary to the 

 well-being of the hounds : when there is but one, it 

 is seldom sweet ; and, when cleaned out, the hounds, 

 particularly in winter, suffer both whilst it is cleaning, 

 and as long as it remains wet afterwards. To be 

 more clearly understood by you, I shall call one of 

 these the hunting- kennel, by which I mean that 



