THE TREATMENT OF WHELFS 53 



greyhound Harmony ; and such names as are expres- 

 sive of speed, strength, courage, or other natural 

 qualities in a hound, I think most applicable to them. 

 Damons and Delias I have left out; the bold Thunder, 

 and the brisk Lightning, if you please, may supply 

 their places ; unless you prefer the method of the 

 gentleman I told you of, who intends naming his 

 hounds from the p — ge ; and, I suppose, he at 

 the same time will not be unmindful of the p — y 

 c — rs. 



If you mark the whelps in the side (which is called 

 branding them) when they are first put out (or perhaps 

 it may be better done after they have been out some 

 time), it may prevent their being stolen. 



When young hounds are first taken in, they should 

 be kept separate from the pack ; and, as it will happen 

 at a time of the year when there is little or no hunting, 

 you may easily give them up one of the kennels and 

 grass-court adjoining. Their play ends frequently in 

 a battle ; it therefore is less dangerous, where all are 

 equally matched. What Somerville says on this sub- 

 ject is exceedingly beautiful. 



But here, with watchful and observant eye, 

 Attend their frolicks, which too often end 

 In bloody broils and death. High o'er thy head 

 Wave thy resounding whip, and with a voice 

 Fierce-menacing o'er-rule the stern debate, 

 And quench their kindling rage ; for oft, in sport 

 Begun, combat ensues ; growling they snarl, 

 Then on their haunches rear'd, rampant they seize 

 Each other's throats ; with teeth and claws, in gore 

 Besmear'd, they wound, they tear, till on the ground, 

 Panting, half dead the conquer'd champion lies : 

 Then sudden all the base ignoble crowd 



